Aquarium to Celebrate Asian Culture

Yuujou Daiko is one of the local taiko groups that will perform at the Autumn Festival. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)

LONG BEACH — Delve into the arts, cuisines, cultures, and marine environments of Asia during the Aquarium of the Pacific’s 15th Autumn Festival, which highlights the traditions and cultures of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines through a weekend of learning opportunities and family entertainment celebrating the rich diversity of the Asian American community.

The event will be held the weekend of Nov. 5-6. The aquarium is located at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Nov. 5

10:30 a.m. Children’s cultural storytelling

10:40 a.m. Northern Shaolim Kung Fu

11:45 a.m. Teapot balancing and changing faces – Wei Zhong

12:20 p.m. Japanese folk dance – Minyo Odori Kotobuki no Kai

12:45 p.m. Arthur Nakane – one-man band

12:55 p.m. Japanese drumming – Hikari Taiko

1:40 p.m. Shorin-Ryu Karate of Little Tokyo

2:30 p.m. Chinese dance – Clear Cosmos Art Studio

3:10 p.m. Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts

3:45 p.m. Arthur Nakane

4:00 p.m. Japanese drumming – Yuujou Daiko

Sunday, Nov. 6

10:00 a.m. Japanese drumming – Kodama Taiko

10:30 a.m. Children’s cultural storytelling

10:40 a.m. Northern Shaolin Kung Fu

10:45 a.m. Arthur Nakane

11:45 a.m. Teapot balancing and changing faces – Wei Zhong

12:20 p.m. Japanese dance – Awa Odori Tokushima Ren

12:45 p.m. Arthur Nakane

12:55 p.m. Japanese and American Music – Grateful Crane Ensemble founders Keiko Kawashima and Scott Nagatani

1:40 p.m. Heritage Award ceremony honoring Grateful Crane Ensemble for dedicated service to the Asian American community

2:30 p.m. Japanese dance – Kyo No Kai by Nakamura Gankyo

3:10 p.m. Korean dance – Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy

4:00 p.m. Japanese drumming – Daion Taiko

Cultural Exhibitors and Crafts

Kimekomi dolls by Yukari Kai

Sumi-e/calligraphy

Cherry Blossom Festival SoCal Camp Stories Exhibit – Six Weddings and a Dress with Chiyomi Ogawa

Origami magic with Origami Kai

Fish kites craft

Cultural dishes will be served at Café Scuba.

All programs subject to change and weather-dependent.

Free with general admission. For more information, call (562) 590-3100, ext. 0, or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.