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Roman Gokhman Emerald
Two or the youngest members of the Waka Daiko drumming troupe perform at the 18th annual Oregon Asian Celebration.
Annual event celebrates
Asian culture, diversity
Local citizens and the Asian
community united this
weekend for the 18th annual
Oregon Asian Celebration
Roman Gokhman
Campus/City Culture Reporter
With shakes and rattles and puls
ing gong beats, the Chinese lion
dance — a traditional ceremony to
ward off evil spirits and welcome
good luck and fortune — kicked off
the annual Oregon Asian Celebra
tion on Saturday.
About 18,000 people attended the
two-day celebration, which was pre
sented by the Eugene/Springfield
Asian Council, and grew out of a small
reception to entertain a group of del
egates from Taiwan 18 years ago.
“When this event started, no one
knew the words ‘cultural diversity,”’
spokeswoman Carrie Matsushita
said. “It’s an opportunity to see how
diverse Asian cultures are. You can
experience Asian cultural diversity
under one roof.”
The lion dance was orchestrated
by the Chinese-American Benevo
lent Association. CABA members
and South Eugene High School stu
dents Matt Lee and Mia Cadwell,
two of the four lion dancers, said
the celebration brings awareness to
Eugene and the rest of the state.
“They get more exposure to
Asian culture,” Cadwell said.
Other performances early Satur
day included taiko drumming,
Japanese koto music and tradition
al Filipino dancing.
Waka Daiko, a taiko drumming
troupe, was the first to perform —
“It's an opportunity to
see how diverse Asian
cultures are. You can
experience Asian
cultural diversity
under one roof."
Carrie Matsushita
spokeswoman
drawing hundreds of spectators to
the stage.
The drums are traditionally used
in religious ceremonies, festivals
and for communication between
villages, drummer Kathy Cunning
ham said.
“It’s a universal language — every
one responds to music,” she said.
Japanese koto player Masumi
Timson, whose instrument is a type
of harp, performed several songs,
emphasizing the importance of
pauses in her music.
“In Japan, we say ‘silence is gold
en,”’ Timson said.
University Asian Pacific Ameri
can Student Union Outreach co-Di
I -------
rector Jason Cummings and Univer
sity Kulturas Pilipinas Director Jeff
Boyce spoke about the need to in
still cultural pride into Asian and
Asian American youth.
“Culture is a beautiful thing,”
Boyce said.
Boyce and Cummings also per
formed a poem about what it means
to be an Asian in the United States.
Besides entertainment, the cele
bration featured 70 vendors selling
everything from pottery, paintings
and wall hangings to kimonos and
other clothing, souvenirs and
acupuncture treatments.
The Eugene-Springfield Asian
American Youth presented a room
for children’s activities and games.
Children folded origami and played
other traditional games and newer
fare as well, such as the hit arcade
game Dance Dance Revolution.
Foods from China, the Philip
pines, Korea, India, Pakistan, Laos,
Japan, Polynesia, and Taiwan were
served in a separate room.
Salem resident Linda Kaufman,
who, along with her 6-year-old
granddaughter Tracey Kaufman, at
tended the celebration for the sec
ond straight year said the event was
important because Oregon does not
have much cultural diversity.
“Diversity is something to be treas
ured and not feared,” Kaufman said.
Contact the reporter
atromangokhman@dailyemerald.com.
CONNECT THE DUCKS!
OREGON DUCKS CONNECTING WITH OREGON PROFESSIONALS
Thursday, February 27
EMU Ballroom
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Looking for internship opportu
nities? Wondering if your work
experience will be relevant in the
real world?
The Student Alumni Relations
Board presents CONNECT THE
DUCKS, your opportunity to
meet professionals in your area
of interest, make possible
internship or career connections,
and discover what it takes to be a
head above the rest.
Talk and connect with Oregon
alumni professionals in your area
of interest.
This is a FREE, informal event.
Featuring professional panels for
students pursuing a career in
business, environmental studies,
law or if you're looking to
pursue graduate school.
Questions? Call the Student
Alumni Relations Board at
346-2107 or e-mail Erin Rowland
at ERowland@gladstone.uoregon.edu.
Coroor Center
Sponsored by the University of Oregon Career Center
and the Student Alumni Relations Board
Tuesday, February 18th
the compelling classic
“Love is Never Silent”
Tuesday, February 25th
the famous American film
“Mr. Holland’s Opus”
time: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
pldCC. IRC (above the post office in the EMU)
Event is FREE and open to all students.
Popcorn and drinks will be provided!
For more information contact:
Shun Yanagishita at froggie581@hotmail.com
Thomsen Young at tyoung2@gladstone.uoregon.edu
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I hOf1EY HILL Fy\RpS
‘The (RgacC to Mecca
PCajj: cIhe JinnuaCMusCim (Pilgrimage
Wednesday 19th of February
6:00 - 8:00 P.M
Browsing Room (106 Knight Library)
Reception: 6:00 - 6:15
Gallery and Refreshments
Program: 6:15 - 8:00
rrog
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What is the Ka'aba?
The Journey of Hajj
Celebrating the Journey: Eid Al-Adha
Sponsored by: Muslim Student Association