The Zoo Will Celebrate Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month with a Weekend of Multicultural Dance, Music, Art and Workshops
DENVER, May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In celebration of Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month, Denver Zoo is proud to continue its partnership with the Filipino-American Community of Colorado (FACC) and host the Second Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI+) Festival. The two-day festival (May 6-7) will celebrate the diversity of Colorado's Asian community through multicultural dance, music, art, workshop and community engagement; and the Zoo's unique connection to Asian cultures and countries through its animals and wildlife conservation programs.
"We feel a deep connection to the Asian community here in Denver and abroad in the countries where we've worked to save wildlife for many years," said Bert Vescolani, president and CEO of Denver Zoo. "We're grateful for the continued support of the Filipino-American Community of Colorado and the many other contributing organizations for their trust and partnership in putting this event together."
The AAPI+ Festival will feature a variety of workshops where guests can learn to make jewelry, calligraphy, kites, origami and more from local experts and artisans; and enjoy musical and dance performances from groups like Philip J. Swain and the Kalalea Band, American Sports Karate Association, Shilpi Nikhil Dance Company and many others. The event is co-hosted by the FACC and supported by a number of other contributing local organizations.
"Denver Zoo is a perfect location to share the unique and rich tapestry of Asian culture with the local community, and we're thrilled to work with the Zoo to put on this wonderful event for a second year," said Domingo Belen, public relations officer for the FACC and executive board member of the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce.
Denver Zoo has worked with partners in Mongolia for more than 20 years to secure nearly 300,000 protected acres for Mongolia's most iconic endangered species, including argali sheep and cinereous vultures; and helped increase the population of the critically endangered Tonkin snub-nosed monkey in Vietnam by nearly 40 percent since 2011. On its campus, the Zoo features Toyota Elephant Passage, which reflects different areas in tropical Asia, and is among the largest and most complex elephant habitats in North America. The Zoo cares for a wide range of Asian species, including Asian elephants, greater one-horned rhinos, Malayan tapirs, clouded leopards, fishing cats, small-clawed otters, cinereous vultures, Przewalski's horses, and many more.
All AAPI+ Festival activities are included in regular daytime admission. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at DenverZoo.org.
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ABOUT DENVER ZOO
Home to almost 3,000 animals representing more than 450 species, Denver Zoo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and the city's oldest and most passionate advocate for the natural world. The Zoo is among the most visited cultural destinations in Colorado, serving almost 2 million people per year, and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which assures the highest standards of animal care. With the mission inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations, Denver Zoo dedicates almost $2 million annually to Zoo-led programs aimed at protecting animals within their natural habitats around the world. For more information, visit DenverZoo.org.
Media Contact
Jake Kubie, Denver Zoo, 720-337-1644, [email protected]
SOURCE Denver Zoo
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