In 1978 President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first ten days of May as a celebration of the accomplishments of U. S. citizens of Asian descent. May had been selected because it coincides with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869. The One Hundred Second Congress of the United States of America at the Second Session on January 3, 1992 proclaimed May of each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month”. President H.W. Bush then signed this act into law.

This year, several local organizations are combining efforts to bring a month-long cultural celebration to the Pittsburgh area. Featured events will include:

May 8 – Asian American Heritage Annual Luncheon - Sponsored by the Asian American Heritage Committee, the Asian American Heritage Annual Luncheon honors Asian American students who have excelled in scholastics, community service, and extracurricular activities. This year’s luncheon will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel and activities will include the luncheon and student awards. The guest speaker is Special Agent Minh-Tri V. Truong from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information, contact Donna Micuch at 412.395.5348 or Donna.M.Micuch@irs.gov

May 7 - 16 - Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival - Silk Screen Asian Arts Organization proudly presents the 5th annual 10-day Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival that opens with a Red Carpet Gala on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 8 PM. This gala has been listed as ‘the most colorful party in Pittsburgh’. Silk Screen presents over 20 feature-length Asian and Asian American films, with several film makers lead question and answer sessions for the audience. Many entries are on the international film festival circuit (Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, San Francisco), and draw award winning filmmakers, actors, directors and producers to Pittsburgh who come to participate in the festival’s seminars, workshops and question and answer sessions. Films will be shown at Pittsburgh Filmmaker locations: Regent Square Theater, Melwood Screening Room, and Harris Theater. For more information please contact 724-969-2565 or visit on-line at www.silkscreenfestival.org.

Silk Screen is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote cross cultural understanding and appreciation of the Asian experience through cultural events, music, dance and film.

May 10 - Fourth Annual Thai Night Gala – 4 PM to 8 PM - The celebration will be at Upper St. Clair High School, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road. Thai Night includes exhibits of Thai culture, intricate fruit and vegetable carvings, artists, a Market Place, and delicious Thai cuisine. Have your photo taken wearing a Malai (flower garland), then relax in the theater to enjoy classical Thai dance, demonstrations and music.

The Thai Night Gala is a fundraiser for the Thai-USA Student Cultural Exchange Program, established in 2005 for Thai and American students to gain international experience and an appreciation of each other's culture. Up to 2009, 192 Thai and Upper St. Clair students have participated as exchange students through this program. This self-supporting program has also sponsored 18 Thai and Upper St. Clair teachers to travel to each other’s countries. For more information, contact Luck Groves at 412.221.4816 or interfacemgmtintl@comcast.net

May 17 - Asian Day at Kennywood Park - 2009 will mark the first year that an Asian Day will be organized as a Kennywood Park Ethnic Days celebration. Activities will include Asian food, dance, and more. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Donna Micuch at 412.395.5348 or Donna.M.Micuch@irs.gov

May 22 – Ro Han Mem Cultural Troupe Performance - The Pittsburgh Chinese Restaurant Association and the Taiwan Culture Center of New York will bring the Ro Han Mem cultural dance troupe to Pittsburgh for a single performance at Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Oakland. Beginning its U.S. tour here in Pittsburgh, Ro Han Mem is comprised of champion college and university students from Taiwan who perform traditional temple dances with an updated hip-hop theme. Garbed in battle array, the performances are representative of the Fukienese, Hakka, and Indigenous cultures. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults; $5.00 for students and can be purchased by visiting: http://www.showclix.com/shows_listing3.php?event=2543

May 29 – Asian Day with the Pittsburgh Pirates - 7:05pm - Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the Houston Astros. Enjoy Asian performances on the SouthWest Deck of PNC Park, or pick up information about the diversity of Pittsburgh’s Asian community.