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Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month

May is Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month, when the Northwestern community celebrates the diverse APIDA community on campus. The Northwestern APIDA community hosts a variety of speakers, events, shows, workshops, and performances throughout the month in addition to all the events hosted by Multicultural Student Affairs. Learn about events hoted by MSA, APIDA Student Orgs, as well as local community orgs below:

APIDA Solidari-Tea: Pan-Ethnic Terms & their Complexity 

Friday, 5/3/2024 | 12-1 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) | RSVP

APIDA Solidari-Tea is a bi-weekly community gathering space for students who identify themselves to be part of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi/South Asian community. In the honor of the APIDA heritage month, we will center the discussion around the many pan-ethnic terms that are used for and by the community. Join us over tea and snacks as we discuss the complexity of pan-ethnic terms, people's understanding of them, as well as how it helps shape one's identity.

Bi-racial/multiracial as well as international APIDA students are also welcome to attend. Walk-ins for the gatherings are welcome. However, students interested in attending the gathering(s) are highly encouraged to RSVP.

APIDA Heritage Month: Trivia Tuesday

Tuesday, 5/7/2024 | 3-4 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) 

Drop by MCC between 3-4pm to play trivia wheel. If you get the answers, you can choose sticker of your choice made by local APIDA artist Jenny Yip (@muijistudio). 

APIDA Book Club Discussion: Salt Houses

Tuesday, 5/7/2024 | 5-6:30 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC)

Another year, another book! Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is back with the annual Spring quarter program, APIDA Book Club. Over the winter quarter, the APIDA community voted for their choice of book. Join the community for an in-person discussion of the book Salt Houses by Hala Alyan.

APIDA Heritage Month: Book Talk

Thursday, 5/9/2024 | 12-1:30 PM | Zoom | Registration
Join us for a virtual conversation with Dr. OiYan A. Poon as she talks about her new book "Asian American is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action and Family.
This event is in collaboration with Northwestern MSA and Oakton College COMPASS - AANAPISI Program

APIDA Book Club Discussion: Salt Houses

Monday, 5/13/2024 | 5-6:30 PM | Zoom | Registration

Another year, another book! Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is back with the annual Spring quarter program, APIDA Book Club. Over the winter quarter, the APIDA community voted for their choice of book. Join the community for a virtual discussion of the book Salt Houses by Hala Alyan.

APIDA Heritage Month: Trivia Tuesday

Tuesday, 5/14/2024 | 3-4 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) 

Drop by MCC between 3-4pm to play trivia wheel. If you get the answers, you can choose sticker of your choice made by local APIDA artist Jenny Yip (@muijistudio). 

APIDA Solidari-Tea: 

Friday, 5/17/2024 | 12-1 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) | RSVP

APIDA Solidari-Tea is a bi-weekly community gathering space for students who identify themselves to be part of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi/South Asian community. In the honor of the APIDA heritage month, we will center the discussion around Pacific Islands. Join us over tea and snacks as learning how the division of Ocenia (Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia) came out to be.

Bi-racial/multiracial as well as international APIDA students are also welcome to attend. Walk-ins for the gatherings are welcome. However, students interested in attending the gathering(s) are highly encouraged to RSVP. 

APIDA Heritage Month: Trivia Tuesday

Tuesday, 5/21/2024 | 3-4 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) 

Drop by MCC between 3-4pm to play trivia wheel. If you get the answers, you can choose sticker of your choice made by local APIDA artist Jenny Yip (@muijistudio). 

Craft & Movie: APIDA HM Edition

Wednesday, 5/22/2024 | 5-7 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) | RSVP

As we approach the end of the quarter, take a break to watch a movie and design your own tote bag! While there will be plenty of craft supplies,In the honor of APIDA Heritage Month, we will be decorating tote bags via block print technique. Space and support for this program are limited so RSVP is a must!

APIDA Heritage Month: Trivia Tuesday

Tuesday, 5/28/2024 | 3-4 PM | Multicultural Center (MCC) 

Drop by MCC between 3-4pm to play trivia wheel. If you get the answers, you can choose sticker of your choice made by local APIDA artist Jenny Yip (@muijistudio). 


For any questions or inquires related to any of the programming, please reach out via email to apida-msa@u.northwestern.edu

Hindu Yuva & Seva: Spring Fest

Friday, 5/3/2024 | 4-6 PM | Lakefill (South Point) | RSVP

Join Hindu Yuva and Seva for a Spring Fest to celebrate Hindu/Sikh new year! They will have stalls with fun traditional activities. Bring your friends and family. 

For more information see Instagram page @hinduyuva.nu or @seva_northwestern. 

2024 KASA Show: osKArs, ft. HOJEAN!

Friday, 5/3/2024 | 7-9 PM | Ryan Auditorium | Tickets

✨Join Korean American Students Association (KASA) for an elegant night filled with glamour, paparazzi, awards, and exciting performances! ✨

Northwestern's annual KASA Show celebrates KASA Singers, KASA Presents (K-Pop dancing), and Taekwondo! Our headliner this year is Hojean who you might’ve seen at Head in the Clouds Festival with 88Rising, or heard his viral songs “Over 85” or “Comin’ Through” and more!

Tickets are only $5 for NU students and $10 for the General Public. Don't miss this chance! Purchase your tickets before they sell out!

For more information see Instagram page @northwesternkasa. 

Vibrant Colors Collective: Shikhandi — The Story of the Inbetweens

Friday, 5/3/2024 | 7 PM & 10 PM | Shanley Pavilion
Saturday, 5/4/2024 | 2PM & 7PM | Shanley Pavilion

Shikhandi — The Story of the Inbetweens will be the national premiere of a play written by a playwright from India. This award-winning play began its journey in Mumbai, and our program, in conversation with the playwright, will bring the unique story to Northwestern's community. By combining ancient Indian mythology with traditional western and English storytelling, Shikhandi explores one of the first known examples of the transgender and gendered body in ancient literature. The playwright Faezeh Jalali, and in turn our production, asks us to see gender in a new light, ultimately using this production as an opportunity to address the taboos of the LGBTQ community. By drawing upon ancient storytelling, Shikhandi pushes back on the notion that the LGBTQ identity is a product of contemporary society. The production will be performed in Shanley Pavilion, an accessible and intimate space that invites all students—regardless of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or other background—to enter into conversation with the work by situating the performance just a few feet away from their seats.

For more information see Instagram page @vc2shikhandi. 

PINOY Show 2024: #TheBachelor: More than Kaibigan

Saturday, 5/4/2024 | 6-8 PM | Ryan Auditorium | Tickets

Kaibigan: Philippine-American Student Association is excited to announce it's 22nd annual Pinoy Show. Get ready for romance, Bachelor Nation! Tune in to #TheBachelor: More than Kaibigan premieres Saturday, May 4, 6pm at Tech AUD! Join Kaibigan for a fund evening of music, cultural dances, skits, and of course, delicious Filipino food!

For more information see Instagram page @nukaibigan.

Northwestern Deeva Spring Show

Friday, 5/17/2024 | 7:30-9:30 PM | Ryan Auditorium in Tech | Get Tickets!

Northwester Deeva will be hosting annual Spring Show to showcase our hard work throughout the academic year and competitive dance season to the NU community. This show is held to celebrate South Asian American culture and women on campus, drawing on various classical and modern dance styles to create a fusion set.

For more information, please vistion Instagram page @northwesterndeeva.

Asian Night Market 

Friday, 5/10/2024 | 5-9 PM | TenHoeve Center, Oakton College

This event is hosted by Everybody's Market and Oakton College. Learn more about the event via EventBrite.  

 Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asian-night-market-tickets-850549816397

Umbrella Arts Festival 

Saturday, 5/11/2024 | 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston

This event is hosted by the Evanston Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander American (ASPA) group. Learn more about the festival by visiting Evanston ASPA page.  

 Link: https://www.evanstonaspa.org/umbrella-arts-festival

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