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For Immediate Release Contact: Raquel Taylor Public
Information Specialist I (757)
664-7328 ext. 341 Norfolk Public Library
Offers Special Programs to Commemorate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month,
May 2011 Norfolk, VA (April
29, 2011) – May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month - a time to pay
tribute to the contributions that people of Asian and Pacific descent have made
to American history, society and culture. Like most
commemorative months, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month originated in a
Congressional bill. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific
American Heritage Month was signed into law, calling on the people of America
to observe the month-long celebration with “appropriate ceremonies, programs
and activities.” The month of
May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to America
on May 7, 1843, and to recognize the anniversary of the completion of the
transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid
the tracks were Chinese immigrants. NPL has
hundreds of books and resources about the people, history, and cultures of Asia
and the Pacific Islands. For more information, stop by your NPL location and
ask a librarian. Join the
Library in celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. Norfolk Public
Library will mark the occasion with the special events below. For a complete
list of events, go to www.npl.lib.va.us.
Malini’s Dances of India Malini, a distinguished dancer and
choreographer, presents a 4,000 year-old classical Indian dance form that is
structured around nine rasas (emotions), using hasta mudras (hand gestures). A
must-see event! (All Ages) Thursday, May 5 @ 5:00 PM Larchmont Branch ~ 441-5335 Wednesday, May 11 @ 6:00 PM Little Creek Branch ~ 441-1751 Thursday, May 19 @ 4:30 PM Barron F. Black Branch ~ 441-5806 Manga Character Draw-Off Thursday,
May 5 @ 5:00 PM Lafayette
Branch ~ 441-2842 Do you love to draw and create your
own Manga characters? Take part in a competition! The
winner’s creation will be featured on a coloring sheet for the Library
throughout the month of May. Refreshments will be served. (Tweens & Teens) Jow Ga Kung Fu:
Chinese Dragon and Lion Dancing Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance date
back to the China and Han dynasties. Both are believed to ward off evil, and to
ensure prosperity. The entire family will enjoy seeing these spectacular
Chinese dance traditions! (All Ages) Saturday, May 7 @ 1:00 PM Lafayette Branch ~ 441-2842 Saturday, May 14 @ 1:00 PM Jordan-Newby
Branch ~ 441-2843 The Konark
Dance School: Dance Demonstration Based in Northern Virginia, the Konark Dance School comes to the Library to spread
knowledge and an awareness of Indian culture. The school specializes in the
expressive Odissi, Kathak,
and Mohiniyattam styles of dance. Konark
offers two amazing performances in May! (All Ages) Saturday, May 21 @ 1:00 PM Van Wyck Branch ~ 441-2844 Saturday, May 21 @ 3:30 PM Pretlow Anchor Branch ~ 441-1750 Teen
Movie Showing: The Last Airbender Thursday,
May 26 @ 5:00 PM Lafayette
Branch ~ 441-2842 Catch the movie based on the popular
anime series, Avatar: The
Last Airbender. Rated PG,
Paramount Pictures. Running time 103 minutes. (Tweens & Teens) Notes From
the Far East with Lui Chong Berz Saturday, May 28 @ 2:00 PM Horace C. Downing Branch ~ 441-1968 A native of Xi’an, China, Ms. Lui Chong Berz
brings Chinese stories, artifacts, music and history to life for groups of all
ages. Ms. Berz is a cellist with the Virginia
Symphony and a member of the Harbor Strings Quartet. (Family) Coffee Talk – Travels in Beijing,
China Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00 PM Van Wyck Branch Library ~ 441-2844 Come for the
first Coffee Talk at Van Wyck Branch with Doris Johnson. Ms. Johnson will share
pictures and stories of her travels and adventures through Beijing, China. Coffee
and light refreshments will be provided! (Adults)
### About Norfolk Public Library: The
Norfolk Public Library offers access to information, books, programs, and
online resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for life-long
learning. The library system consists of one main library, ten branch
libraries, one anchor branch library, and a Bookmobile. All programs are FREE
of charge. Visit www.npl.lib.va.us
or call us at (757) 664-READ for more information. NPL- Creating a City of Readers. Like Norfolk
Public Library on Facebook! Cultural Celebrations
at Norfolk Public Library: NPL
celebrates cultural months to promote learning, and to increase understanding
and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Would you like to make a suggestion for future cultural celebrations? If
so, please send your comments to npl.comments@norfolk.gov. |