The City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Armstrong State University will present the 2016 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival, one of the South’s largest Asian celebrations, on April 15 and 16. All events will take place at Armstrong’s main campus at 11935 Abercorn St. in Savannah. The festival is free and open to the public.
 
“We are honored to co-host the Savannah Asian Cultural Festival on our campus for a second consecutive year,” said Armstrong President Linda M. Bleicken. “This event reflects Armstrong’s commitment to diversity and offers a number of educational opportunities.”
 
The 2016 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival will bring the continent of Asia to coastal Georgia and will feature various cultures, cuisines and live performances. The festivities will kick off on Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. with an evening performance featuring dance and music from seven Asian countries at the Armstrong Fine Arts Auditorium.
 
On Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival will offer live performances as well as a selection of cuisine from local restaurants featuring regional favorites from Polynesia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Korea. A main stage on Armstrong’s Burnett Lawn will host a range of live performances, from Japanese Taiko drumming to Tae Kwon Do martial arts exhibitions. Chinese, Thailand, Korean and Indian dance will be showcased throughout the day.   
 
In addition, a Cultural Marketplace will offer the opportunity to learn more about each country and to discover traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. This year, the Savannah Asian Cultural Festival will offer free yoga, meditation, tai chi, belly dancing and Indian dance classes in Armstrong’s International Gardens.
 
 “We’re delighted to collaborate with Armstrong, once again, to bring such a lively and educational celebration to Savannah,” said Eileen Baker, director of the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs.