Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month
What is Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month?
While Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month (APIDAHM) is officially celebrated in the month of May, Vanderbilt celebrates APIDAHM in the fall semester from October to early November. It is the official celebration that honors the history, cultural diversity, and unique contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans (APIDA).
A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific/Desi encompasses all of the Asian continent, India, and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
At Vanderbilt University, the Student Center for Social Justice & Identity curates a calendar of events related to Asian/Pacific heritage, featuring programs from across campus and the Nashville community.
You can scroll down to see a list of events with their links! Take a look at the calendar below as well!
Please see below for the full list of events during the Heritage Month and to directly access the Links for the programs!
What: Come join the Vanderbilt Career Center, Health Professions Advisory Office, and the the Asian American Student Association for an afternoon of informal networking, learning about career center resources, ment and great with career coaches ~ all over some snacks and boba. Details on Handshake!
When: Friday, September 29, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: SLC – 2nd Floor
Who: Vanderbilt Career Center, Health Professions Advisory Office, and the the Asian American Student Association
For more information, view the Handshake app!
What: Celebrate Mid-Autumn Moon Festival on October 1, Sunday with 10 varieties of specialty Dim-Sum made for you. Every morsel touches the heart. The event is curbside pick up only.
When: Sunday, October 1, 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Lucky Bamboo Chinese Bistro
Who: Chinese Arts Alliance Nashville (CAAN)
For more information, click here.
What: Kicking off Filipino American History Month, the Philippine Intercultural Student Organization (PISO) is celebrating our return back to campus with a Welcome Back Merienda! Breakfast dishes including silog (garlic fried rice, vegetable, and egg dish with pork or chicken), champorado (chocolate rice porridge), and pandesal with coffee (sweet bread) will be served. Come make traditional ceramics, enjoy our cultural foods, and learn about Filipino-American history with us!
When: Sunday, October 1, 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Community Space (West End Neighborhood)
Who: Phillipino Intercultural Student Organization (PISO)
For more information, click here.
What: Join SACE for an evening as students discus their Vanderbilt experience.
When: Wednesday, October 4, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Community Space (West End Neighborhood)
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE)
For more information, click here.
What: Presented by API Middle Tennessee, five Filipino artists exhibiting at Fido and Bongo East Café during the month of October to coincide with Filipino American History Month. The reception will be at Fido on October 4, 2023 from 6-9pm. Artists will be available on the opening and will have a Q&A Panel at 7pm.The word Bahay is Tagalog for house in the Philippines. Author Carl Lorenz Cervantes describes the word Bahay as homes of people you care about. Bahay brings the artists together for the show who come from different parts of the world to bring their own story about their home experience and the people they care about.
When: Wednesday, October 4, 6:00 PM
Where: Fido – 1812 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
Who: API Middle Tennessee
For more information, click here.
What: Will be posted soon!
When: Thursday, October 5, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Lounge – Sarratt 335
Who: Indigenous Scholars Organization (ISO)
RSVP link coming soon!
What: CAAN presents Chinese American heritage, dance, and arts that everyone can enjoy! Dances include New Long Silk Dance, TaiChi Sword, Be My Guests, and traditional lion and dragon dances.
When: Saturday, October 7, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Where: Centennial Park
Who: Chinese Arts Alliance Nashville (CAAN)
For more information, click here.
What: Welcome to the kickoff event for APIDA month! Come enjoy a feast of Asian cuisines from local Nashville businesses. While you’re at it, learn more about the history and stories behind the food— we encourage you to ask your peers in the Asian Diaspora about flavors in THEIR heritage. Again, everyone is welcome, and ask us anything— about food!
When: Sunday, October 8, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Student Life Center Ballroom
Who: Asian American Student Association (AASA)
For more information, click here.
What: Come join SCSJI and cook with us as we uplift APIDA culture! Learn how to make an APIDA cultural dish by a local Nashville chef and enjoy the treat you made yourself! Join us in the teaching kitchen at the Recreation & Wellness Center on October 10 from 6-7:30pm for community, fun, and food!
When: Tuesday, October 10, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Vanderbilt Recreation & Wellness Teaching Kitchen
Who: Student Center for Social Justice and Identity (SCSJI)
RSVP Link will be posted soon!
What: Information coming soon!
When: Wednesday, October 11, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Kissam Moore College A117
Who: Indigenous Scholars Association (ISO)
RSVP Link will be posted soon!
What: Come get free boba and snacks while learning about the diaspora of Asian cultures from our very own cultural organizations before competing in team trivia for a range of amazing prizes! We’ll have representatives from the Indigenous Scholars Organization, Korean Undergraduate Student Association, Middle Eastern Student Association, Philippine Intercultural Student Organization, Pakistani Students Association, South Asian Cultural Exchange, Students for Justice in Palestine, Taiwanese American Student Association, Vanderbilt Association of Bengali Students, Vanderbilt Nepali Students Association, Vietnamese Student Association, and Vanderbilt University Chinese Students and Scholars Association.
When: Sunday, October 15, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Community Space (West End Neighborhood)
Who: Asian American Student Association (AASA) and other Multicultural Orgs.
For more information, click here.
What: Visit the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival featuring magical scenes of more than 1,000 custom made silk lanterns.
When: Monday, October 16, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Nashville Zoo – 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN 37211
Who: Nashville Zoo
For more information, click here.
What: Inspired by tradition, this unique concert experience fuses live music, storytelling, and crafted dishes from various, locally and Asian-owned businesses in Nashville. The Mid-Autumn Festival is an annual tradition observed in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand (among other countries) to celebrate the end of the fall harvest.All are welcome to join us in gratitude, celebration, inclusivity, and education, either as a member of Nashville’s Asian community or an ally interested in learning more about history and the community today. There will be musical performances by Lisa Goe, Elissa Sun, Tyler Kohrs, and Andrei, as well as readings by local writers Sarong Vit-Kory, Sheba Karim, and Malaka Gharib. Attendees will also be given complimentary copies of special booklets that will include 6 short written pieces by other Nashville AAPI writers.About the MenuYour tickets will includeFirst course: Bubble TeaSecond Course: Spring RollsThird Course: Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles) & Korean BBQDessert: Mooncakes Vegetarian options will be provided, but please let us know when purchasing your ticket.
When: Wednesday, October 18, 6:30 PM
Where: The Foundry – 1419 Clinton St, Nashville, TN 37203
Who: API Middle Tennessee
For more information, click here.
What: Information coming soon!
When: Thursday, October 18, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Lounge – Sarratt 335
Who: Indigenous Scholars Assocation (ISO)
RSVP information coming soon!
What: KUSA will be having a Halloween event with fun decorations and music! Come dressed up in a costume and with your friends!
When: Friday, October 27, 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Where: Community Event Space
Who: Korean Undergraduate Student Association (KUSA)
RSVP information coming soon!
What: KUSA will be having a Halloween event with fun decorations and music! Come dressed up in a costume and with your friends!
When: Saturday, October 28, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Multicultural Community Space – West End Neighborhood
Who: Phillipino Intercultural Student Organization (PISO)
RSVP information coming soon!
What: The Dances of South Asia Showcase, SACE’s largest and most popular event, honors the Hindu festival of lights. Every year over 200 students band together to prepare dances in a multitude of Indian dance genres, including Classical, Bhangra, Bollywood, Raas, and Fusion. With over 200 performers every year, this event attracts over 1000 guests from the Vanderbilt and surrounding Nashville community. This year, we are excited to add some new aspects to the showcase. Come and enjoy an evening of community and culture! Tickets are required.
When: Saturday, October 28, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Langford Auditorium
Who: South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE)
RSVP information coming soon!
What: UAB is driving up to play soccer against Vandy KUSA! It will be a hype event with Korean food available at the event.
When: Saturday, November 4, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Rose Park – 1000 Edgehill Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
Who: Korean Undergraduate Student Association
RSVP information coming soon!
What: The event will be 2 hours long, first hour will be 7 activity stands themed around the different districts of Korea. We will serve distinct Korean streets foods per stand. The second hour will be performances from VIVID, Taekwondo, and various other orgs.
When: Friday, November 10, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Student Life Center Ballroom
Who: Korean Undergraduate Student Association
RSVP information coming soon!
What: The UCC has created the below-mentioned identity specific support groups in response to current events and student feedback. We hope that our identity-based support groups provide opportunities for our students to receive brief support around these concerns in a more overtly affirming space.
When: Fridays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Peabody Admin Building Room, 218B
Who: University Counseling Center (UCC)
RSVP information coming soon!