In honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May, the Asian American Studies Department is holding a celebration in the form of a carnival.
Dr. Sandra Stanley, interim director of the Asian American studies (AAS) department and English professor, said the AAS carnival will be held from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 5 at the Northridge Center.
“Asian Pacific Heritage Month is a celebration of the heritage and legacy of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States,” Stanley said.
Stanley said there won’t be any speakers at the event, but there will be a number of classes and clubs participating in the event and showing their support.
The AAS Carnival started with professor Glenn Omatsu approximately seven years ago, said AAS professor, Maria Turnmeyer.
“Traditionally (in the last 5 years) the carnival has been coordinated by AAS 430, a popular culture course, but is presented by AAS, FASA, Alpha Psi Rho and AAS participating classes,” Turnmeyer said.
AAS major, Amy Tran, said she has been attending the carnivals since she transferred to CSUN back in 2007.
“Obviously I’m supportive of the event because I’m an AAS major and I’m Asian, but even if I wasn’t, I would still go,” Tran, 21, said. “The events are always fun. You get to hang out with friends, relax and enjoy music and see performances. Basically, you go to have fun but also to learn about the Asian and Pacific Islander culture. Everyone should go.”
Turnmeyer said the event features cultural and informative booths.
“The booths also host events, photo taking, dance lessons and a plethora of fun stuff designed to “showcase” diversity in the Asian American community,” Turnmeyer said.
English major, David Lee said the carnival never fails to entertain people.
“I went last year. That was my first time because I have a lot of friends who had gone the year before and they said it was cool, so we checked it out,” Lee, 24, said. “And it was fun, but they said it was different from the year before. There were different things to do. I heard about what’s going to go on this year and it’s also going to be kind of different from last year. So I would recommend people to attend, even if it’s just for a little while, it’s always entertaining and fun.”
Stanley said there are going be other events similar to the AAS carnival coming up in April.
“On Saturday evening, April 24, Alpha Psi Rho and the AAS Department will be co-sponsoring a theater event called Sole Survivors,” Stanley said.
Christina Nguyen, 19, undeclared, said she would like more people to know about the events AAS puts on.
“I really wish all AAS classes would tell us about these events,” Nguyen said. “I’ve taken two AAS classes, one this semester, and I didn’t know about it. I wish all professors in departments that are holding events like this one should inform all students in all of their classes about it.”
