FREE Savannah Asian Festival
The 16th Annual Savannah Asian Festival brings an entire continent of unique cultures, cuisines, performances and fun to the Savannah Civic Center. The City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Asian-American volunteers work together to present this one-day celebration of Asian countries and cultures.
Festival attendees can enjoy free live stage performances including the thunderous Matsuriza Taiko Drummers, from Orlando, Fla.; the amazing SinoElite acrobats, from Orlando, Fla., featuring talents from the People’s Republic of China, and the dazzling musical talents of Shufang Chen, a prominent Gu-Zheng musician representing Taiwan. In addition, there will be an array of other live musical, martial arts and dance performances on stage from performing groups representing Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Polynesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
The festival will offer samplings of exotic cuisines from across the continent. Several local restaurants, will be presenting a selection of regional favorites from Polynesia, China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Thailand.
Browse the Cultural Marketplace to learn more about each country and discover the traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. From calligraphy sets to paper, original paintings, hand-beaded clothing, exotic accessories and henna body painting, an entire continent’s worth of treasures that can be found in the marketplace. Also enjoy a workshop on Asian & Middle Eastern Tea.
Children can be entertained in the children’s activity area, where they can learn more about Asian cultures through hands-on activities. They can have fun experimenting with origami, Diwali treasure boxes, Asian flag making and other cultural crafts.
The Savannah Asian Festival is free courtesy of the City of Savannah. There is a charge for food and purchases from the Cultural Marketplace.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
(times are approximate)
11:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony and Parade of Flags
11:30 a.m. Lee’s TaeKwando Martial Arts Demonstrations (Korea)
11:55 a.m. Shufang Chen, Gu-Zheng Musician (Taiwan)
12:20 p.m. Matsuriza Taiko Drummers (Japan)
12:45 p.m. Sanggar Lestari Indonesian Performing Group
1:10 p.m. SinoElite Acrobats (China)
1:45 p.m. Sampaguita Dance Troupe (Philippines)
2:10 p.m. Children of Polynesia
2:35 p.m. Hac Long Duong Lion Dancers (Vietnam)
3:00 p.m. Thailand Dance Group
3:25 p.m. Matsuriza Taiko Drummers (Japan)
4:00 p.m. SinoElite Acrobats (China)