Asia North 2023 Exhibition & Festival

• Motor House, 120 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
• The Parlor, 108 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
• Kong Pocha, 12 W 20th St, Baltimore, MD 21218
• The Bank 1901 North Charles St, Baltimore Maryland 21218
• The Crown 1910 North Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland 21218

Gallery Hours:

• Parlor: Friday - Saturday 5-8pm
• Motor House: Tuesday - Thursday 4-11pm; Friday-Saturday 4pm - midnight

APIMEDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi American) artists based in Maryland, DC and Virginia creatively share how they face a world constantly in flux. Explore how this community transitions, transforms and transcends in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, toxic environments and relationships, losing loved ones, and more. Through artwork and research from AA&CC’s Greater Baltimore Asian Community History Project, this exhibit honors the exciting transition of the Parlor from a former funeral home to a vibrant arts hub, the Station North neighborhood's transformation from a historic Koreatown to a diverse arts district, and our TRANS and LGBTQ+ neighbors who continue to confront and transcend discrimination.

Featured artists: Xiaosheng Bi, Lisa Golightly Braden, Soni, Alex El Dahdah, Wenqing Gu, Ashling Han, Margaret Huey, Sarah Jung, Bo Kim, Chang-il Kim, Wanjin Kim, Ara Ko, Jinyoung Koh, Anila Kumari, Eunyoung Leah Lee, Sunjin Lee, Kisook Lee-Suss, Michelle Li, Brenton Lim, Yafei Liu, Nipun Manda, Mika J. Nakano, Nadia Nazar, William Okaily, Sookkyung Park, Daria Parsa, Jamee Pineda, Samantha Sethi, Hannah Shaw, Asma Shikoh, Nahid Tootoonchi, Monica Youn

Celebrate the kick-off of Asia North 2023. Meet the artists featured in TRANSition/TRANSformation/TRANScendence. Enjoy performances by Hee Kyung Lee Dance Company, Hyejin Kim, Yong Han Lion Dancers, and Ashling Han with Yoonjun Lee, Sang-ah Choi, and Jihyeuk Choi. Enjoy Korean food. Opening remarks by Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott. Hosted by Dami Soh Schlobohm. Presented with the Baltimore Changwon Sister City Committee and Korean American Foundation – Greater Washington.

A take on modem Filipino and AAPI inspired aesthetic and a look on what it means to find, be a part of, and contribute to your community. A collection of artwork from Filipino members of the AAPI community and its allies. Featuring bartenders from rbar, cory and Lucy, Dj Mmrs spinning tracks, Justin Nepomuceno lead space designer and local Filipino and AAPI artists in the community. Presented by Barangay Baltimore, a Filipino community.

Celebrates Kong Pocha in Baltimore’s historic Koreatown as a regional anchor of the Asian and Pacific Islander American community. Socialize with Asian American professionals, hear from local leaders, and learn about upcoming events and opportunities.

TICKETS: $25 (Ticket sales end May 5)

Enjoy a communal Filipino feast where food is artfully laid out atop banana leaves in the middle of a long banquet table. "Kamay" literally translates to "hand" in this traditional Filipino practice of eating with your hands. Participating caterers include Frisco Baltimore, Mama Rosa Grill, Barkada Breads, Ovenbird Bakery and Kuya Nonoy. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Franciscan Center of Baltimore. Presented with Barangay Baltimore.

By us and for us from all over the Asian diaspora, the Asia North 2023 Makers Market highlights and showcases local APIMEDA artists/makers and their goods. Connect and resonate with others in a season of transition through community care, cultural work, and crafts. Goods featured include art prints, jewelry, pottery, home goods, and much more.

Watch the short film Āh (2020) by Alex El Dahdah and delve into the struggles and challenges historically faced by many gay and queer Asians. Consider how these issues have served as catalysts for hate crimes, forced immigration/displacement, and trauma that persists today. The film thoughtfully examines the nuances of experience, exploring intersections with family dynamics, class, and instances of sublimation and repression. It also highlights a single love encounter's profound impact on a family when it conflicts with established traditions. While many of these challenges are not exclusive to sexuality or gender, their occurrence can amplify the problem. In Āh, Malek, a scion of a Lebanese feudal family, endeavors to preserve his homosexual relationship amid the matriarch's disapproval. Her opposition drives him toward sublimation, ultimately leading to the sacrifice of his lover as collateral damage. This shatters a symbol of love and stability, fracturing Malek's sense of self.

Gallery Hours:

• Saturday, May 20, 6:30-10:30pm
• Sunday, May 21, 1 – 5pm

TICKETS (REQUIRED):

Presented by OTS Productions

"Three Patterns" is divided into three stories: “Possessed”, “The Sacred Hex”, and “Hellbond”, which include themes of Suffering, Ritual, and Spirituality. The exhibition features work by 11 artists from New York, Baltimore, Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and more: Setsuhi Shiraishi, Azumi OE, Hideo, Lucia Li, Hsiao Chu Hsia, Tedd Henn, Saskia Kahn, Van Ngo, Miki, Jia Le Ling, and Dami Soh Schlobohm.

TICKETS (REQUIRED):

Presented by OTS Productions

Performances by Lucia Li, Hideo, and Hsiao Chu Hsia. Food by Paul Chen. Hosted by Miki.

TICKETS (REQUIRED):

Presented by OTS Productions

Ft. DJ Fundad

TICKETS (REQUIRED):

Presented by OTS Productions

Artist Talk w/ Q&A on the project w/ Lucia Li, Hsiao Chu Hsia, Hideo, and Miki @ 3-4pm

Features rehearsed and staged readings of plays by Queer Asian playwrights who are making important contributions to contemporary American theatre with stories that shine light on the diversity of the Asian community. Directed by Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi, TU Adjunct Professor at the Department of Theatre Arts. Readings will be followed by a moderated conversation between the audience and a panel of Asian art-makers on the themes, issues, and concerns explored in the plays.

Celebrate the conclusion of Asia North 2023. Congratulate the artists featured in TRANSition/TRANSformation/TRANScendence. Enjoy performances by Xing Dance Theatre, Dami Soh Schlobohm, Nen Daiko, and Tvameva. Enjoy Chinese food provided by the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee.

REGISTER (REQUIRED):

Join a walking tour of the Charles North neighborhood’s historical Koreatown landmarks and favorite food spots. Learn the stories behind dishes such as Korean BBQ, Bibimbap, and rice cakes. Watch a Korean cooking demonstration and taste a sampling of Korean food. Presented with the Baltimore Changwon Sister City Committee and Korean American Foundation – Greater Washington.

Asia North 2023 partners and sponsors include TU Asian Arts & Culture Center, Central Baltimore Partnership, Station North Arts District, Motor House, The Parlor, Maryland State Arts Council, William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, Citizens of Baltimore County, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Changwon-Sister City Committee, Korean American Foundation – Greater Washington, OTS Productions, Barangay Baltimore, Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee, Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee, and NAAAP Baltimore.

Host or Publisher Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University