MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - May marks the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There are several events across the state celebrating the heritage and history of Minnesota's AAPI citizens.
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AAPI Heritage Month events
AAPI Generations Conference:
- Theater Mu, St. Paul
- May 19 through May 21
- Tickets starting at $50
To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, Theater Mu's 30th anniversary season, and Asian American theater as a whole, leaders in the field are heading to the Twin Cities in a weekend of artist talks, exhibits, an annual New Eyes play-reading festival, and more. Each event will be centered on at least one of Theater Mu’s tenets of Asian American stories, art, and social justice. Full schedule here.
AAPI Heritage Month Class Series:
- Eastside Food Co-op, Minneapolis
- Various dates
- Free registration here
Learn how to make the traditional Korean dish Bibimbap, a typical Okinawan chicken soup, or Japanese family recipes at this educational cooking series presented by Eastside Co-op, Mississippi Market, Seward Co-op, the Wedge, and Linden Hills Co-op.
Asian Street Food Night:
- Aldrich Arena, Maplewood
- May 19 and May 20
- Free admission
This night market aims to bring together the diverse Asian community in Minnesota to highlight food, culture, and tradition.
Edina Asian American Alliance's AAPI Month Festival:
- Rosland Park, Edina
- May 27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Free admission
This program is organized to highlight the rich cultures, voices, and strengths of the local Asian Edina and Minnesota communities, as well as the partnerships, friendships, and coalitions that EAAA has built this past year.
Hilltribe AAPI Heritage Month:
- 901 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
- Various dates
- Tickets available here
Head to a cooking class, a family dinner, a live podcast recording, or grab a take-home meal kit at one of the Hilltribe events this month. Full schedule here.
The Hmong Show:
- Hmong House, North St. Paul
- May 7 at 7 p.m.
- $20 per person
This "unapologetically bilingual" show features a cast of all female comedians from the Funny Asian Women Kollective. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Learning from Place: Hmong St. Paul:
- Minnesota Humanities Event Center, St. Paul
- May 6
- $30 registration
Build your cultural understanding and awareness as you immerse yourself within St. Paul’s vibrant Hmong community. The day will begin and end at the Minnesota Humanities Center. Travel by bus to the newly expanded Hmong Cultural Center Museum for a tour and special presentation, visit the iconic HmongTown Marketplace, and explore the market for independent shopping and lunch.
Places to visit in Minnesota for AAPI Heritage Month
- 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
- Free admission
At Como Park Zoo & Conservatory's Ordway Gardens you will find Minnesota's only top-curated Japanese plant collection containing Bonsai trees and Japanese design principals using Minnesota plants and trees.
- 217 Como Avenue, Suite 2-100, St. Paul
- Free admission
This indoor and outdoor marketplace offers over 125 stalls and shops, including 11 restaurants.
- 920 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis
- Free admission
Try a diverse offering of Asian cuisine including sushi, rice bowls, and Cambodian and Thai fusion cuisine.
- 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis
- Free admission
This May, the Minneapolis Institute of Art offers three exhibits highlighting Asian artists from around the world. Enjoy Chinese Ritual Bronze, Japanese landscape art, and early modern Japanese art. Find the full schedule and descriptions here.
- 333 E River Road, Minneapolis
- Free admission
The Traditional Korean Furniture exhibit includes about 200 examples of Choson dynasty furniture, 80 Silla dynasty stoneware pieces, close to 150 folk paintings and wooden bowls and utensils, in addition to other folk arts and crafts.