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Date: May 26th, 2024 Sunday
Time: 12PM – 5PM
Location: Union Square North (17th Street between Park Avenue and Broadway)
In 1992, President Bush signed Act HR5572, which named May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In 1999, Congress designated the second week in May as Taiwanese American Heritage Week to recognize the contributions of Taiwanese Americans.
Since the initiation of our Passport to Taiwan festival in 2002, it has become the largest outdoor Taiwanese American event in the entire United States. In New York, the event is viewed as the largest Asian American festival.
FEATURE PRESENTATION
The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) presents “Impressions of Taiwan” by Ten-Drum Art Percussions Group.
The Ten Drum Art Percussion Group is a music troupe based in southern Taiwan that aims to promote local culture and invigorate Taiwanese percussion art. To that aim, it has produced many pieces that present Taiwanese history, folktales, and culture through diverse drum performances.
Performance Time: 12:30PM
FEATURE ACTIVITIES
This year, we are blessed to be joined by Beigang Matsu. Goddess Matsu is viewed as the most popular diety in Taiwan. The Beigang Matsu Temple, is viewed as the most important Matsu temple in Taiwan with over hundres of temples that can trace their root back to Beigang. Visitors to the festival can pray for blessings from Goddess Matsu and join a fun game with the divination blocks to win prizes.
SPECIAL COLLABORATION
In 1624, during the Age of Discovery, Taiwan took center stage as a Dutch fortress was erected in what is now Tainan City. This event marked the beginning of the ‘Tainan 400’ series of celebrations. Over the course of these 400 years, diverse ethnic groups and cultures have encountered both conflict and fusion. The colonial legacy has shaped the path toward the future. And speaking of history, did you know that the Dutch also discovered ‘New Amsterdam’ 400 years ago? Explore further to uncover.
LIST OF PROGRAMS
Master of Ceremony Fang Tseng (曾桂芳)
James Chuang (NY Rock King)
A rising star in the Taiwanese community. His stage performances have been unique and greatly welcomed throughout the east coast. His specialty is in translating the old popular songs with a new and different slant. This certainly re-creates a new style presentation in singing.
Dwagie
Tseng Kuan-jung, professionally known as Dwagie, is a Taiwanese rapper, best known for using Taiwanese in his performances. His first solo album, Lotus from the Tongue, was billed as the first full rap album in the Chinese-speaking world. He has also collaborated with fellow rapper MC HotDog.
Happiness 2 Plus 1
“Happiness 2 Plus 1” is a trio consisting of one first grader and two third graders who want to share their happiness and love for their culture through their voices. They won both the First Place and Most Popular awards at the 2024 Chinese Karaoke Film Contest in the Greater Washington D.C. area.
Jilliyeah 吉利兒
Pop Singer-Songwriter @jilliyeah_
Mandy Chou Ballroom Dance
Mandy Chou is a former celebrity dance instructor and performer in Taiwan who worked with Time Dance Studio. During her time there, she had an impressive career working with various artists and collaborating on world tour concerts. She also had the opportunity to choreograph for popular TV shows such as Hunan Satellite TV’s, Strictly Come Dancing, which further showcased her skills as a dancer and choreographer.
