Armstrong State University and the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs will host the 2015 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival, one of the South’s largest Asian celebrations, on March 27 and 28. For the first time, all events will take place at Armstrong’s campus at 11935 Abercorn St. in Savannah. The festival and all events are free and open to the public.

The festivities will officially kick off on Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Armstrong’s Fine Arts Auditorium with a live performance featuring a variety of Indian dances by the Arya Dancers from New York City. 

The festival continues on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live performances, Asian cuisine, a Cultural Marketplace and family-friendly fun. On March 28, the Savannah Asian Cultural Festival schedule for performers on the main stage, located on Burnett Lawn, is as follows:

11 a.m. – Official opening with the Parade of Nations showcasing flags and representatives in indigenous dress from the Asian countries

11:45 a.m. – Performance by the Taiko Drums of Japan

12:15 p.m. – Lee’s Tae Kwon Do Exhibition of South Korea

12:45 p.m. – Dragon Dance around the festival grounds with Hac Long Duong Performers of Vietnam

1:15 p.m. – Dances from Thailand and China 

1:45 p.m. – Dances from the Philippines

2:15 p.m. – Children of Polynesia and performance by the Southeast Korean Dance Association

2:45 p.m. – Lee’s Tae Kwon Do Exhibition of South Korea

3:45 p.m. - Dragon Dance with Hac Long Duong Performers of Vietnam

The festival will also include free educational workshops in Armstrong’s International Garden. The workshop schedule is as follows:

12:30 p.m. – Pakistan Tea Ceremony

1:30 p.m. – Tai Chi workshop with Myung Lee of South Korea

2:30 p.m. – Oriental Belly Dancing Workshop with Yara Dancs

In addition to these performances and activities, an origami and kirigami craft workshop will be taking place during the festival at the Japan Tent on Burnett Lawn. 

The festival will also offer samplings from local restaurants and a selection of regional favorites from Polynesia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. 

A Cultural Marketplace will offer the opportunity to learn more about each country and discover the traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. From Ming-shared jewelry to calligraphy sets, original paintings, hand-beaded clothing, Asian accessories and henna body painting, an entire continent’s worth of treasures can be found at the festival. 

The 2015 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival will be presented in conjunction with Armstrong’s Outdoor Arts Festival on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the university’s Fine Arts Hall Courtyard. Highlights at this family-friendly event include hands-on arts and crafts, dance, theater and live music. All events are free and open to the public.