While Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is celebrated in the United States during May, since 2004 the George Washington University has held its own Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration (APIHC) in April, giving students time to celebrate before the end of the academic year. Below, a selection of events on campus and around Washington, D.C.
April 15 at 4 p.m. Let Only Red Flowers Bloom: A Conversation with Emily Feng
Elliott School of International Affairs, Room 505
1957 E St. NW
In her latest book, Feng, an international correspondent for NPR, illuminates the human dimension of China’s authoritarian turn through intimate portraits of resistance: the personal struggles of a Uyghur family torn apart by mass detention, human rights lawyers confronting overwhelming obstacles, an Inner Mongolian teacher’s difficult cultural choices and Hong Kong dissidents seeking freedom abroad.
April 23 at 6:30 p.m. Artists in Conversation: Tuan Andrew Nguyen and Thao Nguyen on The Island
American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium
800 G St. NW
Tuan Andrew Nguyen, creator of the time-based media work “The Island,” is joined by musical and visual artist Thao Nguyen to discuss their experiences as Vietnamese Americans and how their work engages with the legacies of the Vietnam War and its aftermath. The work’s title refers to the tiny Malaysian island of Pulau Bidong, a primary destination for Vietnamese people escaping by boat after the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975.
April 24 at 10:30 a.m. The First 100 Days: Trump 2.0 and New Dynamics in U.S.-Taiwan and Cross Strait Relations
Elliott School State Room
1957 E St. NW
Join the Sigur Center for Asian Studies for a timely conversation with a group of multidisciplinary experts on Trump’s approach to Taiwan.
May 3 at 2 p.m. Asian Journeys: A Dance Performance
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Auditorium
901 G St. NW
Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company will perform excerpts from four modern dances focusing on the Asian American experience.
May 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 12:25 p.m. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Booth
Science and Engineering Hall, First Floor
800 22nd St. NW
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by learning about the remarkable contributions of AAPI engineers. Every Wednesday in May, visit the first floor of SEH for a snack and to explore impactful inventions, innovations and ongoing contributions to the field.
May 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 5 p.m. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration Performances
Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Local performance groups including taiko drummers and lion dancers will take the stage Fridays at 5 p.m. on Barracks Row. (And there’s food.)
May 9 at 5 p.m. Illuminasia | Asia After Dark - Words in All Forms
National Museum of Asian Art
1050 Independence Ave. SW
Take in DJ sets, spoken word, poetry, comedy and other performances as part of the Smithsonian’s monthlong IlluminAsia Arts and Culture Festival.
May 10 at 4 p.m. Reflection, Resilience and Reimagination: 50 Years of Southeast Asian American Journeys
American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium
800 G St. NW
2025 marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, the Secret War in Laos, and the fall of Phnom Penh, Cambodia—events that displaced millions from these countries. Seeking refuge in the United States, these communities rebuilt their lives and, over five decades, have made enduring contributions to American society. This program features screenings of short films and selected excerpts from longer works, followed by an intergenerational panel discussion with community leaders, filmmakers and artists. It’s part of the museum’s “Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond,” an exhibition showcasing the historic, cultural and creative connections of Asian Americans to Washington, D.C.
May 15 at 7 p.m. History as Mixtape: A Discussion with Theo Gonzalves and Jeff Chang
Freer Gallery of Art, Meyer Auditorium
Independence Ave. at 12th St. SW
In the hands of writers Theo Gonzalves and Jeff Chang, history isn’t a closed book—it’s a living playlist. Each track—an object, a memory, a voice—samples the past, remixed for the present. The skips and scratches matter as much as the melodies. And who gets to DJ the story? That’s everything. Join this discussion about the award-winning publication “Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects” and consider the mixtape of your own history at this after-hours event.
May 20 at 6:45 p.m. Washington Nationals AAPI Heritage Day
Nationals Park
1500 South Capitol St. SE
From $41
Take [you] out to the ball game for the Nats' first official AAPI Heritage Day. Purchases through the official link include a local artist-designed jacket.