DIA Kicks Off Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Dazzling Cultural Showcase
DIA celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Hilary Golston takes a look at the Detroit Institute of Arts annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - DETROIT — The Detroit Institute of Arts was alive with rhythm, movement, and tradition on Saturday afternoon as families gathered in Rivera Court for the museum’s annual Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration Show.
It provided a vibrant showcase honoring AAPI Heritage Month, presented in partnership with the Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures and supported by the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, the free event blended professional artistry with community storytelling, drawing visitors from across the tri-county region.The lineup highlighted the rich diversity of AAPI cultures with performances ranging from ancient to contemporary.
Audiences were transported through time and across continents—beginning with the raw, elemental tones of Sorhogton, performed by a traditional Mongolian throat singer, and ending with the thunderous, pulse-raising rhythms of the Great Lakes Taiko Center’s Taiko Journey.
Standout performances included:
• The soul-stirring duet Binakbak Na Diwa (Strip My Soul) by Martha Bryan and Caitlyn Giles
• The Vietnamese folk piece Loi ve xom nho (To the Countryside), choreographed by Trisha Tuyet Nguyen
• And the fluid, mythic movements of Dunhuang Fairies and Heart Lantern – Yunnan Flower Lantern, both choreographed by Joanne Zheng and brought to life by J.Z. Dance Studio.
Children and parents alike leaned forward during the Lion Dance, performed by the Linh Son Buddhist Youth Group, and clapped to the colorful, kinetic energy of Bhangra, performed by RVD Academy.
From the Hmong Dance of Hnub Qub Cia Siab (Star of Hope) to the peacock-inspired stylings of Inner Action Dance, every act was a celebration not just of performance, but of cultural identity, memory, and resilience.
Admission to the show was free with general museum entry, which remains free to residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
The program was also part of the DIA’s Weekend Family Programs, made possible by the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation.As seats quickly filled and applause echoed through Rivera Court, the event stood as a testament to Detroit’s multicultural fabric — and the enduring power of art to unite, educate, and inspire.