Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month
While Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month (APIDA) is officially celebrated in the month of May, Vanderbilt celebrates APAHM in the fall semester from October to early November. It is the official celebration that honors the history, cultural diversity, and unique contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans (APIDA).
A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific/Desi encompasses all of the Asian continent, India, and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
At Vanderbilt University, the Student Center for Social Justice & Identity curates a calendar of events related to Asian/Pacific heritage, featuring programs from across campus and the Nashville community.
You can find the PDF of the calendar HERE or scroll down to see a list of events with their links! Take a look at the calendar below as well!
Please see below for the full list of events during the Heritage Month and to directly access the Zoom Links for any and all programs!
Dragon Boat at Cumberland River Dragon Boat Festival
What: The Cumberland River Compact’s annual Cumberland River Dragon Boat Festival is BACK! Let the races commence on October 1st for the 14th year of this beloved river tradition. The Cumberland River Compact also celebrates its 25th year serving the Cumberland River and its tributaries. Nashville is a river city – and with a changing riverfront, it’s important that our community understands the value of this water resource – both economically and ecologically. There’s no better vantage point of the city and the river than from a Dragon Boat!
This event is a fundraiser for the Cumberland River Compact and there are many ways to support our work. Whether you paddle in the races or attend the festival, you’re helping to advance the Cumberland River Compact’s mission of enhancing the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. Learn more about the Cumberland River Compact’s work here.
When: Saturday, October 1, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Lucky Bamboo Parking Lot
Who: Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville
For more information, Click HERE to RSVP!
Chinese Dance at Celebrate Nashville
What: Celebrate Nashville is a huge arts and culture festival focused on diverse dance, music, and food. The event is from 10 AM to 6 PM. CAAN presents dances (Dragon, lion dance, and Chinese dance) at 2 PM at its main performing stage.
When: Saturday, October 1, 2:00 PM
Where: Centennial Park
Who: Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN)
Night Market
What: Kick-Off APIDA Heritage Month with the Night Market! You will be able to explore different booths run by different cultural organizations here on campus while also participating in different cultural activities in order to win Asian snacks and prizes.
When: Saturaday, October 1, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Commons South Patio Lawn
Who: Asian American Student Association (AASA)
Click HERE to RSVP!
Ash Me Anything: APIDA Therapist Edition
What: Come and talk with a panel of APIDA identified therapists at the UCC. Ask us questions and hear us talk about stigma around mental health in various Asian cultural backgrounds and the logistics around how to get mental health support at Vanderbilt. Swag will be available!
When: Monday, October 3, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Lounge, Sarratt 335
Who: University Counseling Center
AAPI Association of Vanderbilt Alumni (AAVA) Reunion Reception
What: Connect with AAVA members and hear an update from faculty from the Asian Studies department on the Asian American Studies program.
When: Friday, October 7, 3:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Community Space, West End Neighborhood
Who: AAPI Association of Vanderbilt Alumni (AAVA)
SACEx Annihilation of Caste
What: Join us to dive in to the caste system and the impact on the community around us!
When: Monday, October 10, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Lounge, Sarratt 335
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange
Roundtable: Being APIDA Identified during Covid-19
What: This will be a roundtable discussion for Asian identified students on campus during COVID. We intend for this to be a space for folks to discuss their experiences – whatever this may be. Some points of conversation can be navigating lockdowns and not being able to go home, experiencing political depression, and experiences of discrimination. Swag will be available!
When: Monday, October 17, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Community Space
Who: University Counseling Center
SACE Speaks Open Forum
What: Join us in an open forum to raise questions, concerns, discussions with one another!
When: Wednesday, October 19, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: TBD
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE)
Affirmative Action and Asian Americans
What: Coming Soon!
When: Wednesday, October 19, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Where: TBD
Who: Peabody, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Binatay: Journey of a Filipino Adoptee
What: Celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage month, the KCPC will host filmmaker James Beni Wilson and screen the documentary Binatay: Journey of a Filipino Adoptee for the Vanderbilt community to kick-off our Queer Intersections series. This documentary screening and panel discussion explores the experience of being queer and an Asian transnational adoptee.
When: Wednesday, October 19, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Sarratt Cinema
Who: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life at Vanderbilt University
The Dances of South Asia: Midway Checkpoint
What: GET HYPE FOR THE DANCES OF SOUTH ASIA!! (MIDWAY)
When: Saturday, October 22, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Sarratt Student Center
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE)
AMAsian Mixer: AASA x APIDAHM
What: Fill in the blank: ask me about _______.What comes to mind? A special interest, a memorable experience, or some part of your identity? Often, there are parts of us that we’d like to share but feel uncomfortable bringing them up in a daily conversation. We invite you to our AMAsian Mixer— a manifestation of our APIDA-Month theme, AMA— where you can find what others filled in the blanks and engage in conversation, speed-dating style.
Everyone is welcome, and we especially encourage our community members to share unique stories and experiences in the Asian Diaspora! Ask each other anything.
P.S. Boba will be provided.
When: Sunday, October 23, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: Alumni Hall 202
Who: Asian American Student Association
TBD
What:
When: Saturday, October 29, 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Where: Community Event Space
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE)
Click HERE to RSVP!
Taste of Asia
What: Taste of Asia is back! As usual, come enjoy a feast of Asian cuisines from local Nashville businesses. While you’re at it, learn more about the history and stories behind the food— we encourage you to ask your peers in the Asian Diaspora about flavors in THEIR heritage. Again, everyone is welcome, and ask us anything— about food!
When: Saturday, October 29, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: SLC Ballroom
Who: Asian American Student Association (AASA)
Click HERE to RSVP!
TDS Showcase
What: The Dances of South Asia Showcase, SACE’s largest and most popular event, honors the Hindu festival of lights. Every year over 200 students band together to prepare dances in a multitude of Indian dance genres, including Classical, Bhangra, Bollywood, Raas, and Fusion. With over 200 performers every year, this event attracts over 1000 guests from the Vanderbilt and surrounding Nashville community. This year, we are excited to add some new aspects to the showcase. Come and enjoy an evening of community and culture! Tickets are required.
When/Where: Saturday, November 12, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Langford Auditorium
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE)
Click HERE to RSVP!
Zoolumination: Chinese Dance at Nashville Zoo
What: The Dances of South Asia Showcase, SACE’s largest and most popular event, honors the Hindu festival of lights. Every year over 200 students band together to prepare dances in a multitude of Indian dance genres, including Classical, Bhangra, Bollywood, Raas, and Fusion. With over 200 performers every year, this event attracts over 1000 guests from the Vanderbilt and surrounding Nashville community. This year, we are excited to add some new aspects to the showcase. Come and enjoy an evening of community and culture! Tickets are required.
When/Where: Saturday, November 12, Time TBD
Where: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Who: Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville)
TAI CHI with the Chinese Arts Alliance
What: Join the Nashville Chinese Arts Alliance for free Tai Chi in the Metro Parks or online every Thursday of this month.
When: Thursdays, 2:30 PM -3:30 PM, all month long
Where: Bellevue Community Center
Who: Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN)
APIDA Support Group
What: The UCC has created the below-mentioned identity specific support groups in response to current events and student feedback. We hope that our identity-based support groups provide opportunities for our students to receive brief support around these concerns in a more overtly affirming space.
When: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Online
Who: University Counseling Center
Register HERE!
The Asian American Student Association’s purpose is to promote awareness of Asian and Asian-American cultures and issues within the University, the local community, and beyond, in order to foster a campus community more inclusive to AAPI identities. Founded in 1986, AASA strives to establish a sustaining culture of activism regarding Asian and Asian-American identity, moving beyond established stereotypes and providing a platform for students to celebrate their heritage and find their voice for change.
This year, AASA will be exploring the theme of “AMA: Ask Me Anything ”. Good at math. Successful. East Asian passing. Identifying as Asian/Asian American often means falling victim to stereotypes and being looped into labels, rendering us a mysterious and unapproachable light in conversations surrounding the BIPOC experience. AMA— Am Asian, ask me anything— is our way of countering this perception. Continuing the “I’m Visible” momentum from last year, we take one step further and encourage everyone to “ask us anything,” putting individuals on the “hot seat” so people can understand each of our unique experiences. Join us in Night Market, an experience-sharing mixer, and Taste of Asia— and ask all your questions to learn more about your Asian-identifying peers and our vibrant, manifold culture.
SACE is an organization made up of over 200 Vanderbilt undergraduates dedicated to representing, celebrating, and sharing South Asian culture at Vanderbilt and in the greater Nashville area. Throughout the year, we host various social and cultural events.