APIDA Arts Festival

About the Event

The MCA is proud to collaborate with Mia Park, founder of APIDA Arts, to present Day 3 of the APIDA Arts Festival, a free, three-day event that amplifies and unifies Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American artists in Chicago by showcasing their work at premier cultural institutions, providing greater representation, equity and opportunity.

The MCA event on May 5, 2023 is a part of a full weekend program that includes activities at the Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, and the Chicago Cultural Center from May 5-7, 2023.  For full festival schedule please visit APIDAArts.org

This program is organized in collaboration with Mia Park, Founder and of APIDA Arts.

Schedule

At Marisol Restaurant & Bar:

During the APIDA Arts Festival and through August, the MCA’s Marisol Restaurant & Bar will feature two items from the menu of Chef Margaret Pak’s new restaurant, Thattu, opening this April in Avondale:

Kerala Fried Chicken Sandwich

Spicy “naked” fried chicken, greens, spicy cucumber pickle, curry leaf aioli on a brioche bun.

ChaaterTots

Tater tots, house chaat masala served with spicy beet ketchup.

* At The Counter, only available during APIDA Arts Festival on May 7, visitors may enjoy Chef Margaret Pak’s noteworthy masala biscuit.

In The Commons (no tickets required):

10 am–3 pm:

DIY Craft Market, curated by Ed Mar and Buddy. Vendors in the Craft Market may be found here.

 

11 am–2 pm:

Family Creation Station with Myra Su teaches storytelling with puppets.

 

In the Edlis Neeson Theater (free tickets required for each performance):

10:30–11:30 am:

Open Stage with master of ceremonies Jonald Reyes including Magician Jimmy Chung, The Victor Wong Improv Team from Second City, Dancer/Performer Juliann Wang and the acapella group, The Treblemakers of Northwestern University.

12:15–1:15 pm:

Panel discussion — “Creativity for Wholeness and Healing,” moderated by Susie An, Can art making complete an individual or population? Exploring the healing potential of creativity by and for the Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American  communities. Panelists include Asad Ali Jafri, Lanialoha Lee, Anneliese Moy and Jigar Shah.

2–3 pm:

Dance curated by Helen Lee featuring dancers Irene Hsiao, Helen Lee, Kinnari Vora, Mitsu Salmon and Tuli Bera perform.

3:45–4:15 pm:

Music by the rock band, Kim.

ASL provided in theatre and by request.

 

Outside of the MCA:

11 am–12 pm:

Outdoor Audio Walk lead by Jee Yeun Lee

”Shore Land,” a one hour event that reflects on the history of the Chicago lakefront and contrasts the settler’s engineering with Indigenous perspectives on land and water. Participants should expect 35 minutes of walking and bring a smartphone and headphones to stream the audio. RSVP here.