TCCL News & Events

Celebrate and learn about the customs and traditions of Asian-Americans with entertaining, educational events for the entire family as Tulsa City-County Library presents the seventh annual Asian-American Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 at Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road.

Explore the colorful cultures of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in Asia. The festival kicks off at 10:45 a.m. with a vibrant Dragon Dance, featuring a 70-foot dragon from China, and includes martial arts demonstrations; Kyoto, Japan art exchange exhibit and workshop; manga exchange and workshop; bamboo flute music; classical Indian dance; Chinese folk dance; a Japanese tea ceremony; and children’s dances and songs in Japanese and English.

Local martial arts instructors and their students will demonstrate kung fu, karate, tae kwon do and other traditional Asian disciplines throughout the day under a big tent outside in the back of the library. Ten Tigers Kung Fu, Shikara Ashi Te Ryu and Martial Arts Academy USA are scheduled to perform.

Numerous activities and presentations are scheduled indoors throughout the festival, including interactive educational booths featuring crafts for kids, temporary tattoos, name translation, henna painting and origami instruction. The festival also features authentic arts and crafts booths. Food concession is provided by India Palace, located at 69th and Lewis. Admission to the festival is free.

The festival is sponsored and funded by the Tulsa Library Trust, with assistance from the Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association Recycling Proceeds Fund.

Other presenters and participating groups are: Akdar Shrine Temple; Christie Cannon, art teacher; China Roses; Eisenhower International School Culture Box Project; Brian Franklin, Shakuhachi musician; Ho Oo Ryu; Ho Yu Kai Club; India Association of Greater Tulsa; India Palace; Indonesian Club; Kaohsiung, Taiwan sister city; Konnichiwas; Martial Arts Academy USA; Nam Hai Oriental Food Supermarket and Gift Shop; Oklahoma Chinese Times; Oklahoma Department of Commerce; Richardson Asian Art Museum; Shikara Ashi Te Ryu; Hao Ta, Chinese art; Ten Tigers Kung Fu; Cathy Terry, origami instructor; Tulsa Asian-American Senior Citizen Association; Tulsa Chinese School; Tulsa Global Alliance; Tulsa Go Club; and Tulsa World.

For more information about the Asian-American Festival or a complete schedule of presentations, visit www.tulsalibrary.org or call the Martin Regional Library at 669-6340.