May is always a busy time for the Central Texas AAPI community. With AAPI Heritage Month bringing fun and fascinating cultural events across our region, it can be hard to keep track of everything going on!
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of AAPI Heritage Month events from around our community. Many of these events are free to attend. We’ll be updating the list throughout the month of May, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back often to be sure not to miss anything!
If you are interested in adding your AAPI-related May event to our list, please reach out to [email protected].
The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) is proud to announce our partnership with the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) on the Project Rebuild Small Business Grant & Assistance Program.
With the support of Bank of America, all Austin-area AAPI-owned small businesses are invited to this event. You will receive:
- An opportunity to win a $2000 grant (application starts during the event).
- Free technical assistance from our valued partners, including financial management, legal assistance, digital and social media marketing, and access to capital.
- Networking with other small business owners and Austin’s AAPI business community.
Get more info & RSVP for free HERE
When: Thursday, May 25, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Austin Energy Headquarters
The AARC’s Community Art Exhibit Program displays artworks year round that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity and creativity of Asian American Pacific Islanders.
Exhibits viewable during May include:
- VEENY REVILLA “Sad Girls”
- Afterworld: Zen Garden
- Perlas ng Austin: A Celebration of the Central Texas Filipino Community Through the Arts
When: throughout May
Where: Asian American Resource Center
Join the Austin Public Library every Tuesday for the month of May to watch a select feature film in Celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Month.
Learn more and RSVP HERE
When: Tuesdays in May, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Terrazas Branch, Austin Public Library
Join the Austin Community College District for a screening of the award-winning documentary “Not Your Model Minority,” followed by a panel discussion with students, faculty, staff, and community. We will explore how the “model minority” myth has been perpetuated over time, as well as how it continues to affect individuals and communities today.
More info & RSVP HERE
When: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Where: ACC Highland Presentation Hall, Building 2000 (HLC 2.1550)
Join the Austin Community College District for a screening of the award-winning documentary “Not Your Model Minority,” followed by a panel discussion with students, faculty, staff, and community. We will explore how the “model minority” myth has been perpetuated over time, as well as how it continues to affect individuals and communities today.
More info & RSVP HERE
When: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Where: ACC Highland Presentation Hall, Building 2000 (HLC 2.1550)
You are invited to a celebration of AAPI heritage and a conversation about mental health, coping strategies, and resources available for your own self-care hosted by ACC’s AAPI Cultural Center and Clinical Counseling Services.
More info & RSVP HERE
When: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center, ACC-Highland Campus, Building 4000 (Room 4.2205)
Comprised of experienced performers from all five Austin improv comedy theaters, “Y’all We Asian” is Austin’s (and Texas’) first all Asian-American improv troupe.
More info & RSVP HERE
When: Friday, May 5, 2023, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Fallout Theater
The Council on American Islamic Relation (CAIR-TX) Austin chapter is honored to invite you for their 2nd Annual Eid Celebration at the Capitol.
Learn more and RSVP HERE.
When: Friday, May 5, 2023, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Texas Capitol
Come celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with local AAPI authors and family friendly activities!
Get more info and RSVP HERE.
When: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Brentwood Social House
Ah Ping plans to marry herself to gain fame and money but ends up discovering her true self in this coming-of-age comedy.
Get more info and tickets HERE.
When: Monday, May 8, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Violet Crown Cinema
To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, ACC’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Cultural Center invited the chef of The InFusion Indian Supper Club to give a demo on Indian cuisine with a modern touch.
Get more info and RSVP HERE
When: Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: ACC-Highland Campus, Demo Kitchen, Culinary Arts Department, Building 2000
Join Seed&Spark’s Head of Creator Success Meghan Ross as she chats with fellow Austin-based, award-winning indie filmmakers Kayla Abuda Galang (When You Left Me on That Boulevard) and Yola Lu (PATSY) for a discussion on what makes a crowdfunding campaign successful and how to leverage these tactics for your own creative projects.
Get more info and RSVP HERE.
When: Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: ArtUs Co. 10000 Research Blvd. Ste. 141
Attend this class at Central Market where you’ll perfect the techniques that produce these light, protein- and veggie-stuffed lettuce wraps, egg rolls, and summer rolls along with two complementary sauces. As class ends, you’ll sit down to enjoy your handiwork.
Get more info and register HERE
When: Thursday, May 11, 2023, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Central Market Austin North Lamar
This family-friendly festival is free and open to the public and celebrates Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month. This indoor/outdoor event offers performances, food vendors, exhibits, and cultural experiences for the entire family. The 2023 festival will commemorate 10 years of the AARC being rooted in community and culture!
Learn more and RSVP HERE
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Asian American Resource Center
Y’ALL, WE ASIAN presents: That’s SOOO Asian! The annual comedy showcase is back to showcase Texas’ best Asian American comedians in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Get more info and get tickets HERE
When: Saturday, May 18, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Scottish Rite Theater
Aloha! Feel the joy and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather as you shop Austin’s South First Street! Good Vibes are here. This event is a self-guided tour with samplings of mimosas at each shop shown on the map. There are so many new mimosa stops and shops with no additional purchase.
Get more info and purchase tickets HERE
When: Saturday, May 13, 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Willa.
One Grand Prize Winner will be selected among a total of 5 awards to receive the Asian American Community Partnership Challenge Cup. One winner will be chosen from each division and category. All winners will be awarded an exceptional appearance performance to benefit a local nonprofit organization.
Get more info HERE.
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Asian American Cultural Center
Immerse yourself in this beautiful dance concert and experience the beauty of Indian culture! Join in for a fabulous evening of mesmerizing performances, gorgeous costumes, and loads of fun.
Get more info and RSVP HERE.
When: Sunday, May 14, 2023, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m
Where: Dell Performing Arts Center
This month’s Zine Night celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage. Drop in anytime from 5:30 to 7 pm in the northeast corner of the 6th floor, aka Salon Collage. The Library will provide zine-making supplies, and you’re welcome to bring your own, too. Contribute to Vital SignZ, the APL collaborative community zine, or make a zine of your own! Let these themes inspire you, or branch out on your own.
Get more info and RSVP HERE
When: Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Austin Public Library, Central Library
The Asian American Resource Center Presents its 2023 Spring/Summer Exhibits: Perlas ng Austin: Through the Arts, Essentials Creative’s Afterworld: Zen Garden, and Veeny Revilla’s Sad Girls. Attend for a night of community, art, and celebration. Light refreshments will be provided.
Get more info and RSVP HERE
When: Wednesday, May 17, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Asian American Resource Center
Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening with your Austin Symphony Orchestra! Join us for an enchanting performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Chen Gang and He Zhanhao’s The Butterfly Lovers Concerto, featuring the mesmerizing sounds of the Chinese erhu, performed by Jiebing Chen. Let the ASO transport you to another world with its captivating melodies, masterful musicianship, and awe-inspiring performances.
Learn more and get tickets HERE.
When: Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Long Center for the Performing Arts
This event will bring together multiple generations of the AAPI community to talk about how to effectively communicate and support one another. Panels, workshops hosted by mental health professionals, and a community resource fair will provide AAPI community members with the education and engagement.
Get more info and RSVP HERE
When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Asian American Resource Center
Join Artly World for a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon celebrating the work produced by Young Artists in Artly World programs. Drop by to enjoy all-ages arts and crafts activities and see some amazing artwork revealed during the showcase!
Find more info and RSVP HERE
When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Asian American Resource Center
Join fellow book lovers in the community to dive into works by authors in the Asian diaspora. From new releases by emerging voices to beloved community favorites, fiction to non-fiction and everything in-between, explore the diversity of literature from an Asian diasporic lens.
Get more info and RSVP HERE
When: Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Asian American Resource Center
Attend this event to sample a variety of dumplings as instructors offer tips on steaming, frying and boiling these bite-sized morsels. The fillings and wrappers will be ready and waiting. As the Instructors guide you, your nimble fingers will fill and fold and then create several dipping sauces.
Learn more and purchase tickets HERE
When: Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Where: Central Market Austin North Lamar
Join us as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with SXSE Food Co. Vacancy Brewing is home to the award-winning food truck SXSE Food Co, founded by Chef Bob Somsith who skillfully blends Southern American and Southeast Asian flavors and techniques.
Chef Bob will cook up The Lao’d Pork Smash Burger for one night only, you won’t want to miss it!
We’ll also be streaming ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, a humorous look at the lives of Asian immigrants in America.
Learn more HERE.
When: Thursday, May 25, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Vacancy Brewing
Join in for a night of music, drinks & art highlighting Austin’s top women & nonbinary artists in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month!
Get more info and tickets HERE.
When: Friday, May 26, 2023, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Cathedral
CommuniTEA is one of West China Tea’s most cherished events – they’ve been holding it since the inception of their shop back in 2012. It is a regularly-held donation-based event where people can enjoy tea and each other’s company.
Get more info and RSVP HERE.
When: Saturday, May 27, 6:00 p.m.
Where: West China Tea
Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander and Mental Health Awareness Month with dance, Pixar’s “Float” screening, listening circles, mental health resources, and Asian snacks.
Learn more HERE.
When: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Austin Public Library – Central Branch
Asian Memory Project orchestra will be performing music inspired by the theme “Nintendo Cafe”.
Learn more HERE.
When: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 12 – 1 p.m.
Where: Austin Public Library – Central Branch
Travel the world of dragons through stories, songs, rhythm, and crafts.
Learn more HERE.
When: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 10 – 11 a.m.
Where: Austin Public Library – Central Branch