Asian Festival – Asian Cultural Experience

April 16, 2018

Salinas Chinatown Asian Festival 2018

We hope to see you at our 2018 Asian Festival! Check out the ethnic food, historical exhibits, entertainment, and the classic Chinatown car show! And while you are there, check out the site of what will be the new Moon Gate Plaza apartment complex (90 units) and artist community, corner of Lake & Soledad Sts., and the new Nihonmachi Village complex on E. Rossi and E. Lake Sts.

Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m. We’re happy to announce that historian Wellington Lee will lead the Salinas Chinatown Walking Tour. Here are the details:

February 23, 2018

ACE/Asian Festival Fundraiser 3/24

YOU ARE INVITED to our ACE/Asian Festival Fundraiser, featuring Aireene Espiritu & The Itch: March 24, 2 to 5 pm, at the Filipino Community Center, 250 Calle Cebu in Salinas. Mike PZ & Assoc. will open with an acoustic performance. Open to all ages: kids are free!

Listen to Aireene Espiritu singing “Going Back Where I Belong” (audio): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiCB_ZucWZg Although we offer discounts for students with ID and persons over 65, please consider donating $20 or more to cover our costs and to benefit ACE and Asian Festival programs. For more information, see the flyer, below.

Aireene Espiritu poster 5_p1

January 10, 2018

Aireene Espiritu: ACE/Asian Festival Fundraiser

We’re getting an early start on promoting our ACE / Asian Festival Fundraiser, featuring musician and vocalist Aireene Espiritu and the Itch, March 24, 2018, at the Filipino Community Center, on Calle Cebu St., Salinas, 2 to 5 pm. Check out the poster below for ticketing information. Your purchase of tickets will help support ACE and the Asian Festival programs to promote the history and culture of Salinas Chinatown, and eventually to renovate the Republic Cafe as a museum and cultural center. In the process, you will enjoy some amazing roots, folk, and blues.

A wonderful musician in her own right, Aireene Espiritu also plays and records with some of the most talented roots and blues musicians in the Bay Area, including Jim Pugh (Little Village Foundation), Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (Greaseland Studios), Brian Judd (Hot Club of SF), and many more. Mike PZ [Mike Perez] and The Associates will open the show, and we’ll have a stompin’ good time! CDs will be available for sale. Co-sponsored by the Filipino Community Center of Salinas Valley.

May 11, 2017

Asian Festival 2017

We’ve been taking a breather after a successful 10th Anniversary Asian Festival, which also ushered in Asian American Heritage Month. Big thanks to all those that made it happen: the Asian Festival Committee, ACE and members of the three Asian communities, Salinas Downtown Community Board, Chinatown services and businesses, City of Salinas representatives and Assembly member Luis Alejo, Leonard Han and his Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team, MIG, and especially all the folks that came to enjoy the festivities and to support the Chinatown community. Here are some photos from the event:

The 2017 Asian Festival Committee, L-R: Herb Wong, Larry Hirahara, Linda Low, Wellington Lee, Jess Tabasa, Cathy Chavez-Miller, Richard Villegas, Al Baguio, Henry Gong.

Mayor Gunter greets the Lion. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller

Council Member Gloria De La Rosa speaking. Photo: Jean Vengua

A busy scene in the Confucius Church building: dancers and visitors. Photo: Jean Vengua

Part of the raffle prize on a table in old Republic Cafe. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller

Members of the Color Guard. Photo: Jean Vengua

The 2017 China Town Car Show. Photo: Jean Vengua

April 19, 2017

10th Anniversary Asian Festival – April 29!

This year’s Salinas Chinatown Asian Festival is going to be special, because we are celebrating our 10th anniversary. Come and join us on Saturday, April 29. The festivities begin with opening introductions and the Lion Dance at 11 a.m. There will be lots of food, produce for sale, entertainment, walking tours, presentations, and a bigger & better car show. MIG, planning consultants for the Chinatown Revitalization Project, will be present at pop-up booths (with translators, if necessary) to get your input and ideas for the revitalization. See you there! 10th Annual Asian Festival Schedule_