Asian Avenue Magazine - October 2023

CELEBRATING FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY

Asian Avenue receives

Organization of the Year Award

International

Leadership Foundation forms in Colorado

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ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE

Thank you to the Asian Pacific American Bar Association for honoring Asian Avenue Magazine and Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network with the Organization of the Year award. We are grateful for this recognition and it motivates us to keep working hard to serve our Asian American communities.

Happy Filipino American History Month! Here in Colorado, Filipino Americans are the fifth largest Asian ethnic group (after Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, and Korean). Colorado’s Filipino American (Fil-Am) community is vibrant and lively with a long history in Colorado! In West Denver, Filipino-American Community of Colorado (FACC) was originally established in 1954 as The Filipino Club of the Rockies. In 1982, the Philippine American Society of Colorado (PASCO) was formed to serve the community on the east side of town. Fil-Am businesses, professionals, and artists continue to grow and achieve great success in their industries. We hope you enjoy some of the events hosted by our local Fil-Am community!

As we prepare for the City of Aurora elections (November 7, 2023), remember to check and update your voter registration record at: sos.state.co.us/voter. Participating in local elections is important as local government has an impact on our community and daily life. Influencing our city’s priorities, such as where schools and housing are built, show that our vote and voice matters!

Publisher & Founder

CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO

President

ANNIE GUO VANDAN

Editorial Director

MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ

Graphic Designer/Videographer

LIJIN ZHAO

Web Designer

JASON ZHANG Staff Writer

JESSALYN LANGEVIN Staff Writer

PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

on the cover

Jennifer Samuel speaks to the crowd at the annual Filipiniana Gala organized by NaFFAA Region V each October. This year’s event will be held on October 14, 2023. See page 13.

Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine

Looking to promote your business? Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses a costeffective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at hello@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates. Send story ideas to hello@asianavemag.com.

Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.

8 UPCOMING EVENT: Nava Dance Theatre: Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies explores immigrant stories

10 FEATURE: Colorado changemakers honored at Asian Pacific American Bar Association annual gala

12 COVER STORY: This Filipino American History Month, we feature travel, books, and art

16 INSIDE STORY: Chibi no Gakkō for students first through eighth grade is coming

18 INSIDE STORY: International Leadership Foundation hosts networking event to share about youth leadership programs

20 INSIDE STORY: Over Flyte provides a sports entertainment space in Denver

21 ON SCENE: Great American Beer Festival awards 35 Colorado breweries

22 EVENT CALENDAR: Finding the Beat documentary, media summit, Filipino American History Month celebration, and more!

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ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE

P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222 Tel: 303.937.6888

E-mail: hello@asianavemag.com

www.asianavemag.com

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ASIAN AVENUE TEAM

Medical emergencies and 911 calls

You should only call 911 for a serious medical emergency that you believe is life-threatening or that may become life threatening. Some examples are heart and breathing issues, falls or accidents, fainting, seizures, allergic reactions, heavy bleeding or severe pains. Don’t call 911 for a medical non-emergency that could be addressed with a primary care physician. Some examples are a cold, a minor cut or a routine medical matter.

Aurora911 Nurse Navigation

If you aren’t sure about the seriousness of a medical issue and call 911, our new Aurora911 Nurse Navigation can connect you with the right level of medical care. 911 callers without an obvious medical emergency will connect with a nurse, who will assess the caller’s symptoms. The nurse will refer them to appropriate medical care, such as a virtual visit with a physician, home health recommendations, or arrange transport to a local healthcare provider. This individualized communication and care saves time and money for patients.

Life-Threatening Emergency Nurse

Northglenn Arts and Colorado Fine Arts Association Present Nava Dance Theatre: Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies

Exploring American immigrant stories through dance based in bharatanatyam

Experience the beauty of cultural fusion and the narrative power of dance on Saturday, October 7 at Nava Dance Theatre’s one-of-akind production Rogue Gestures/ Foreign Bodies. Northglenn Arts, in partnership with the Colorado Fine Arts Association, will host this poignant event at the Parsons Theatre, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Based in San Francisco, Nava Dance Theatre is in a unique position to share bharatanatyam with audiences who may not be familiar with the art form. Renowned for their innovative choreography, Nava Dance uses collaborations with other bharatanatyam dancers, visual artists, musicians, and dance makers, to bring untold stories to life throughout the diaspora and beyond. They weave a narrative that not only celebrates the richness and complexity of bharatanatyam but also serves as a poignant commentary on current social issues and cultural diversity.

Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies is not just a performance; it’s a physical exploration of the hidden

struggles and triumphs of South Asian immigrant women who arrived in the United States in the wake of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. Inspired by the oral histories of Indian nurses who immigrated to the US due to labor shortages, choreographer Nadhi Thekkek, and her collaborators explore the enduring work of brown women and the worlds they traverse between. Through community interviews, historical texts, and poetry, Rogue Gestures/ Foreign Bodies negotiates these questions and examines what it means to belong in America.

Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and contributions of immigrant women who have shaped the fabric of American society. It’s a chance to experience a different culture, embrace diversity, and be moved by the universal language of dance.

Make the event extra special: Before each performance come early and join the creators for a meal by purchasing a ticket that includes the meal option.

Tickets for Nava Dance Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies at the Parsons Theatre are now available and start at $23.

Purchase tickets by calling the Parsons Theatre Box Office at 303-450-8888 or by visiting bit.ly/NGARTSNAVAdanceRougeGestures

Music

Mahadevan and Kalaisan Kalaichelvan

Performers: Nadhi Thekkek, Shruti Abhishek, Lalli Venkat, Aishwarya Subramanian, Janani Muthaiya, Abirami Murugappan, Aarthi Ramesh, Roopa Mahadevan, Matt Small, Aditya Iswara, Conal Sathi, Aarti Shankar, Umesh Vekatesan

Additional Composers/Collaborators: GS Rajan, Sruti Sarathy, Malavika Kumar Walia, Kamala Devam, Surabhi Bharadwaj

Northglenn Arts is the cultural services division of the City of Northglenn and strives to provide affordable access to the arts in north Denver by presenting live quality productions, offering outdoor summer concerts and movies, drama classes for youth, public art through Northglenn’s Art on Parade and other commissions, and special events throughout the year.

Photo Credit: Robbie Sweeny

Direction/Composition: Roopa

Photo Credit: Jyotsna Bhamidipati

Q&A

with Artistic Director

Nadhi Thekkek

Nadhi Thekkek is the Artistic Director of Nava Dance Theatre, a bharatanatyam dance company based in San Francisco, California. She operates on the belief that bharatanatyam, while culturally-specific, is a modern medium with potential to push boundaries of how we can use traditional art forms to understand place, identity, and politics. Her Keralite Christian ancestry, hyphenated identities, experience as a child of immigrants and as a mother all shape her body of work. She reimagines how bharatanatyam can serve marginalized narratives that need to occupy space right now.

1) Why did you make the shift from bioengineering to dancing fulltime?

Dance has always been a part of my life in a huge way. After school as a kid, all my time was spent in dance class. Then as an adult, outside of work I was always in the studio. Once I had my first daughter, I felt I couldn’t do them both “full-time” at the level that I wanted. So once I finished my PhD, I moved back to the Bay Area, and started performing more, making dances, and fundraising for different projects.

People ask me all the time why I left that field, assuming that what I do now is so different. But I feel the creative process for scientific research and art making are so similar. When I was a bioengineer, projects required time in a lab, required us to seek answers through our research, and required discernment and healthy criticism when it comes to results. Now as an artist, my work requires time in a ‘dance’ lab, requires that I seek answers through creation of new movement and music, and requires discernment as I figure out if the choreography actually says what I want it to say! Both require creative solutions to very specific questions, and often require a team of collaborators to find results.

2) What does it mean to be a fulltime dancemaker and performer?

Now dancing full-time doesn’t even mean what I thought it would mean. For many people the first thing that comes to mind when you think of dancing fulltime is practice and performance, but there is a good amount of working with other dancers, directing rehearsals, facilitation of the creative process between collaborating artists, working with musicians, producing, fundraising, grant writing, marketing and so much more.

But ultimately I do all this to visualize stories that are critically important to our community. I imagine families coming to a show and seeing stories from their own history occupy the space around them. I think of my three daughters and how they will get to learn more about how their families arrived and how many immigrant communities are connected through their migration stories in one way or another.

I think of how audiences witness music and movement and connect it to their own experiences as first, second, or third generation immigrants. My motivation is to serve these narratives, and create ways for audiences to see their own stories in the ones we share.

3) How have you employed bharatanatyam dance to share stories that are often untold?

Bharatanatyam as I’ve learned it, has an incredible amount of storytelling capacity. Between the musicality, hand gestures, facial expressions - it is really poised to deliver theatrical, understandable storylines. However I grew up primarily learning and performing stories from the Hindu pantheon. Then as an adult, I found there were more stories outside of the religious or spiritual context that really shape who I am and shapes the communities that I live in. It came to a point where I only felt comfortable dancing about stories that I could connect with on a personal level.

In 2019, my colleagues and I explored the Me Too movement with bharatanatyam, and used our own experiences as a starting point for movement and music.

And with Rogue Gestures, I felt the need to explore the invisible paid and unpaid labor of women who straddle many worlds because of how I see my mom and other women in my community look back on their lives and contributions, especially now when the image of being South Asian is heavily dominated by men in tech.

Photo Credit: Purna Venugopalan

Colorado Changemakers Honored at Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Gala

On September 14, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado (APABA) hosted their annual banquet gala and awards ceremony at Rockley’s Event Center in Lakewood. APABA is an organization advocating for the AAPI community through programs benefiting underserved communities, promoting civil justice, and fostering professional development, mentorship, and community.

Recipients:

ty and honoring the communities that made him who he is today.

By Kelly Veilleux

Grant Shibao, who shared in his speech at the Banquet that he first learned of Governor Carr around the dinner table with his mom and sister in his hometown of Brighton, Colorado.

“I learned from Governor Carr that sometimes it’s necessary to swim upstream, even when that path is often tiring and met with resistance,” said Shibao, when accepting the Governor’s namesake award. He continues, “We as legal professionals have the unique opportunity to advocate on behalf of others and we can make earth shattering change for the better.”

3i Law Attorneys Chuong Le and Grant Shibao Zero in on “The Why”

When opening the doors to 3i Law, Managing Partner Chuong Le asked the question: Why do we exist as a law firm? For him, the answer is simple, really. It comes down to one word: accessibility. With hourly rates greatly increasing year over year, legal services are simply not accessible for many families and small businesses and Le knows firsthand that this is particularly true for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. A proud Vietnamese immigrant, Le has dedicated his career as an attorney to addressing the fundamental challenges of legal accessibili-

As a corporate and estate planning attorney, Le’s leadership and advocacy over the years have been instrumental in advancing accessibility. He serves as Board President for Hope Communities, a nonprofit established to provide a pathway to self-sufficiency and economic opportunity for low-income families in greater Denver; President of the Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation; Board Member of the US Vietnam Council; Governor-Appointed Commission Member for the Colorado Employee Ownership Office; and previously held leadership positions with the Brighton Economic Development Corporation, APABA Colorado, Asian Real Estate Association of America, and the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.

From its inception in 2020, the 3i Law team has grown from three to more than a dozen attorneys working collaboratively across practice areas to serve individuals, families, and businesses. Attorneys like civil litigator and 2023 Governor Ralph Carr Award winner

Throughout his life and career as an attorney, Shibao has spent countless hours volunteering in the community and using his legal skills to make a positive impact. He currently serves on the board for organizations including the Asian Real Estate Association of America, whose mission is to promote sustainable home ownership opportunities within the AAPI communities; the Brighton Economic Development Corporation; and APABA; and is an active member of the Minoru Yasui Inn

Chuong Le, 3i Law Minoru Yasui Community Service Award Recipient

Grant Shibao, 3i Law Governor Ralph Carr Award Recipient

Congratulations to the 2023 APABA Award

Chuong Le, 3i Law Minoru Yasui Community Service Award

Grant Shibao, 3i Law Governor Ralph Carr Award

Asian Avenue Magazine / Colorado Asian Culture & Education Network Organization of the Year Award

of Court, and several subgroups within the Colorado Bar Association. Shibao works with the Thornton Alliance/ Alianza Center to provide no-cost legal services and training to small businesses across the Denver Metro as well as serving as council on pro-bono cases for the firm throughout the year.

Organization Recognized for Positive Impact on Community

Recognized at the APABA banquet as the organization(s) of the year, Asian Avenue Magazine and Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) has been serving Colorado’s AAPI community since 2006.

The monthly print and digital publication amplifies stories about local AAPI businesses, individuals, and events with a mission to build bridges of awareness, knowledge and understanding through cultural insights, news and information.

CACEN, a 501c3 organization, empowers the AAPI community through culturally-responsive programs such as civic engagement training, youth leadership development, and health and wellness activities.

The organizations were founded by mother-daughter duo Christina Yutai Guo and Annie Guo VanDan, who saw a need to create equitable opportunities for the AAPI community and shine a

light on the stories that were often untold by mainstream media.

VanDan said when receiving the award: “Since the first edition of the magazine, in July 2006, we have printed 206 editions of the magazine. It’s been nearly 20 years.”

“Back then, the lack of AAPI representation and visibility was disheartening. Today, we have more than 50 AAPI-serving organizations and countless community events, and AAPI businesses are flourishing.”

She shared that CACEN is in the development phase of establishing an AAPI community center and marketplace that aims to provide a sense of belonging and pride for the community, while also showcasing AAPI food, art, and culture.

VanDan concluded: “May we continue to make Colorado a welcoming and thriving home for Asian Americans for generations to come.”

Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu, led by Howie Solow, entertained guests with a lion dance performance at the APABA gala.

Past and present APABA Colorado presidents gather for a photo at the organization’s annual gala.

Friends of Asian Avenue Magazine and CACEN share in the honor of receiving APABA’s Organization of the Year award.

Publisher of Asian Avenue Magazine Christina Yutai Guo (left) and CACEN board chair Sophia Cheng (right)

Find history of the Philippines in Barcelona

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

To celebrate Filipino American History Month, the staff of Asian Avenue Magazine researched historic buildings in Europe and discovered a gem called Hotel 1898 in Barcelona, Spain.

Hotel 1898 was the former site of a company called General Tobacco Company of the Philippines. The historic building was renovated in two years into a European-style, boutique hotel with flourishes reminiscent of the Philippines.

Sitting in the soul of Barcelona, Hotel 1898 owes its name to the year Cuba and the Philippines obtained their independence from Spain.

Located just off the famous street of Las Ramblas, the hotel is situated within walking distance of Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Sant Jaume Square, the Palau de la Música or the Cathedral of Barcelona. It is a prime choice for many tourists, who want to walk all over Barcelona.

Location | Endowed with a solid historical and artistic personality, Hotel 1898 combines its architectural past with the modernity of new spaces essential in a hotel of the 21st century. It is a hotel that has already become a symbol of Barcelona, in whose corners guests can enjoy the elegance, serenity and cosmopolitanism that marked an entire era.

With nine floors, Hotel 1898 sits in the heart of the former headquarters of the General Tobacco Company of Philippines. Its transformation meant bringing back to life walls marked during the 19th and 20th centuries by the commercial activity between Spain and the

Philippines. Its facilities are open to a visitor interested in culture with artistic view.

on Pintor Fortuny Street only preserves the first three arches made of natural stone from 1880. On this same side is the cornice named the Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas, a clear testimony to the building’s more immediate past.

History | In the mid-19th century, the building that now houses Hotel 1898 was a seminary until 1880 when the architect Josep Oriol Mestres designed it as the private residence of the López i López family, Marquises of Comillas, who also had their family business there: the Transatlantic Company.

It was not until 1929 that the building became the headquarters of the General Tobacco Company of Philippines and underwent a complete remodel by Josep Maria Sagnier Vidal and Josep Maria Rivas. Just then, it opened onto Xuclà Street, on the corner of which stands the sculpture of the painter Marià Fortuny, the work of the brothers Miquel and Llucià Oslé, and inextricably linked to the structure of the building since 1942.

The facade of La Rambla dates from 1880 and is built with natural stone from the mountain of Montjuïc. It features two allegorical sculptures that embody Commerce and Overseas, in the form of Hermes, the God of Commerce, and the Goddess of Fortune, represented with a ship’s rudder, respectively. Both symbols attest to Barcelona’s commercial links with the Spanish colonies overseas. The facade

The first to use the building as a commercial headquarters were the members of the López i López family, Marquises of Comillas, owners and founders of the Compañía de Tabacos de Filipinas (Philippine Tobacco Company) and Don Claudio López Bru, one of the presidents of the company, who’s bust, the work of sculptor Josep Llimona, is still preserved in the hotel.

In the middle of the 20th century, the poet Jaime Gil de Biedma, included in the literary generation of the 50s, became secretary general of the Tobacco Company. The library, located on the second floor, is dedicated to the poet, and contains a large part of his bibliography and copies of the most outstanding works of his contemporaries.

Restaurant & Spa | Hotel amenities include a breakfast buffet filled with Spanish pastries, cheese, and tapa-like bites of olives, figs, and cured meats. Rooftop pools and patio restaurants are part of the package for hotel guests, who want to relax with views of the cosmopolitan city.

Taking advantage of the unique architecture of the building, the space that originally housed the old coal bunker and later became the vault of the Philippine Tobacco Company is now the spa and thermal circuit of the hotel, equipped with indoor pool with whirlpool, dry sauna, steam bath and bubble bed.

The outstanding quality of its therapeutic and care programs makes the Hotel 1898’s spa a must for all guests and a place of tranquility where guests can enjoy vegan and organic treatments and therapies. In addition, H1898’s guests can enjoy a fully equipped fitness room and free weights to continue their exercise routine during their stay.

Interior | Upon entering Hotel 1898, the visitor is overwhelmed by an intense warmth, thanks to using materials such as wood, leather, wicker, and various fabrics.

Parent company and hotel group

Núñez i Navarro entrusted the hotel’s interior design to Rosa Rosselló, who managed to give it a look based on the balance between past and present. It is an extreme decoration inspired by the neoclassical style and with an innovative colonial air. The predominant colors of the decoration are black, brown, and white.

toms, their landscapes and all those little details that reveal the colonial roots that remained unchanged in colonial towns.

During her trip, Maria Espeus visited the Philippine islands of Luzon and Cebu. As a result, the hotel boasts such spectacular snapshots as the Banaue Rice Terraces, which can be seen in the spa, or the Pavay Church, made of coral, which can be admired in the corridor on the fourth floor.

The photographs help visitors to imagine the Philippine Islands and to identify each space in the hotel with an image.

On the walls of Hotel 1898, spectacular images of Philippines captured by the Swedish photographer Maria Espeus, based in Barcelona, who spent a month and a half in that country capturing the deepest feelings of its people, their cus-

Interested in this hotel? Visit their website at hotel1898.com/en.

Hotel 1898

La Rambla, 109

08001 Barcelona Spain

T: (+34) 935 529 552

E: 1898@nnhotels.com

Books by Filipina-American Authors

Seventeen stories traverse borderlines, mythic and real, in the lives of Filipino and Filipino American women and their ancestors.

Moving from small Philippine villages of the past to the hurricane-beaten coast of near-future Florida, When the Hibiscus Falls examines the triumphs and sorrows that connect generations of women. Daughters, sisters, mothers, aunties, cousins, and lolas commune with their ancestors and their descendants, mourning what is lost when an older generation dies, celebrating what is gained when we safeguard their legacy for those who come after us.

Featuring figures familiar from M. Evelina Galang’s other acclaimed and richly imagined novels and stories, When the Hibiscus Falls dwells within the complexity of family, community, and Filipino American identity. Each story is an offering, a bloom that unfurls its petals and holds space in the sun.

When the Hibiscus Falls

By M. Evelina Galang

June

M. Evelina Galang, who lives in Miami, is the author of a previous story collection, Her Wild American Self (1996), two novels, One Tribe (2006) and Angel De La Luna and the Fifth Glorious Mystery (2013), and the nonfiction book Lola’s House: Filipino Women Living with War (2017). She edited the anthology Screaming Monkeys: Critiques of Asian American Images (2003). Galang directed the Creative Writing Program at the University of Miami from 2009-2019 and served as VONA Board President from 2018-2023.

Filipina-American author Jamie Lee Sogn’s gripping debut Salthouse Place, is a twisty, cultish thriller about toxic friendships set against the backdrop of the wellness industry in the Pacific Northwest.

Ten years ago, three teenage best friends spent the day at a lake—drinking, gossiping, and soaking up the sun—but only two of the young women made it home. The mystery of what happened to fifteen-year-old Zelda (Zee), whose body was never found, continues to haunt Delia Albio a decade later. When she receives an email from Cara, the remaining friend in the trio from whom she’s been estranged all this time, she can’t resist the pull of the “life-changing” news in the message. Hopeful for answers, Delia travels home to see her old friend. But Cara is gone by the time she gets there, sparking another mystery.

Sogn wanted to write a thriller with an Asian American female protagonist, something she rarely saw growing up. In writing Salthouse Place, Sogn notes, “For Delia, I was excited to create a main character who, like me, is biracial Asian American, and have that inform how she sees the world and interacts with it.” Salthouse Place is an examination into the intense female friendships that can form between teenage girls. Sogn masterfully captures the heightened emotions such as jealousy, possessiveness, and love that can feel all-consuming, as if they were life and death.

Jamie Lee Sogn grew up in Olympia, Washington, in a Filipino American home. She studied anthropology and psychology at the University of Washington and received her juris doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law. She is a recovering attorney who writes contracts by day and (much more exciting) fiction by night. Though she has lived in Los Angeles, New York City, and even Eugene, Oregon, she now lives in Seattle with her husband, son, and Boston terrier.

By Jamie Lee Sogn

time as a lawyer and artist. I think both are gifts given to me by the Divine. I was a lawyer in the Philippines when I immigrated in 2005 at the age of 30. I became an immigration lawyer here in the US too.

Artist: Elaine Antonio Bordeaux

Filipino-American visual artist Elaine Antonio Bordeaux brings her lived experience, including her work as an immigration lawyer, into her art. She often focuses on courageous people as her subjects.

She is the founder of Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, a nonprofit with a mission to promote Philippine art, history and culture. On August 15, 2023, the Public Arts Commission of Colorado Springs endorsed her eight foot iconic sculpture, a project of Dr. Jose Rizal in Colorado Springs. More information is available at: drjoserizallegacy foundation.org.

Her art exhibition themed “Courage” will be exhibited in Colorado Springs on Oct. 5 and 6. It will go on to Barcelona, Spain from Oct. 16-30 and Madrid from Nov. 6 to 10.

What is your favorite part of art?

Art for me is freedom. It allows me to be myself. It allows me to express my creative energy without boundaries. There is no right or wrong in art. The only judge is myself. More importantly, it allows me to honor people and places I admire and start a conversation on matters and issues that are important to me as a human being.

How to you manage your time?

I am mindful of my time between my family, my work as a lawyer, and my art. My art is part of my spiritual practice so everyday, I try to do something creative like touching my clay or drawing.

I am often asked how I can work full

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

My mission is to advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves. As an immigration lawyer, I have helped victims of human trafficking, victims of crimes, asylees, and refugees. It is a tough job. But God gave me the gift of art to help me. With art, I am a better lawyer, a better human being.

What is the hardest part of the art?

I work with different media such as clay, wood, and marble. I also draw and make prints. Nowadays, there are so many ways and materials available to be expressive, but I think the hardest part for me was to find my own voice as an artist and to understand who I really am as an artist. Since my background is not in art, it took a bit of time for me to grasp what I really want to express and to have that confidence to share my work, my experience and my inspirations to the world. My art will always be a reflection of my life and my advocacy. It is who I am.

What is your advice for young artists?

There are so many good and talented artists everywhere and we can get lost and discouraged, but I think the best art comes from the artist’s heart. When I say heart, I mean the artist’s soul. An artist‘s soul is a repository of all of this creative energy, and I, as an artist, can express this creative energy in either a positive or negative way. Ultimately, I make that decision for myself.

Produce art that makes you feel good, that connects to your soul, that tells you who you are.

If you have an artist’s soul and you had to pursue other things in life, it is okay. It is never too late. But don’t wait for your retirement to start making art. You can appreciate, enjoy and pursue art now.

Chibi no Gakkō is Coming!

Leaves are falling, pumpkin spiced-everything abounds, and a new school year has begun! While your kids may have been hesitant to head back into the classroom, there’s one school they will be eager to attend – it’s Sakura Foundation’s Chibi no Gakkō Program for students from all backgrounds who are currently in first through eighth grade.

“Chibi,” as it is affectionately known, means “school for little ones” in Japanese and teaches students about Japanese and Japanese American (J/JA) culture and heritage. It’s comprised of volunteer, certified Colorado teachers and is offered every-other year. High school students who have at-

tended at least one past Chibi session are eligible to become mentors to the current students.

Each Saturday from January 20 through February 24, 2024, students will gather at Sakura Square and participate in J/JA activities such as cooking yakisoba noodles, learning new traditional dances like ”Tankobushi,” and creating ikebana (floral arrangements).

Chibi no Gakkō was established in 1996 and merged with Sakura Foundation in 2020. The program is a perfect fit with the foundation’s mission to share and celebrate J/JA culture and heritage in order to promote a more resilient, compassionate, and equitable society.

“Before Chibi, I really wasn’t interested in learning about my family history or any Japanese culture. But Chibi inspired me to see how important culture is and how much I love my Japanese culture.” -

Past Chibi Student

2024 Session:

Six Saturdays in 2024 | 9am - 12pm (Jan. 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24)

Location: Sakura Square 1255 19th Street, Denver, CO 80202

Tuition: $125, $100 for each additional child in that household

Registration is open NOW and closes on Nov 1, 2023.

chibi2024.eventbrite.com or use the QR code

For more information go to SakuraFoundation. org or email chibi@ sakurafoundation.org.

- Past Chibi Teacher

“One of the highlights of Chibi involves students researching their own family history. As they learn about their heritage and culture, students feel a stronger sense of connection to the JA community and realize the importance of continuing cultural traditions. In addition, it’s imperative that students learn in-depth about the incarceration of JA citizens during WWII, as this is only covered briefly in high school. My personal satisfaction as a teacher comes from watching young students develop into mentors for the program after having realized the impact previous mentors have had on them.”

National leadership organization for AAPI youth establishes Colorado chapter

International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the civic awareness, public service and economic effectiveness of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. ILF’s mission is to develop young leaders in the field of public service, law, entrepreneurship and the international arena. This is accomplished through civic, legal and leadership training and support from the ILF’s network of 20 national & global advisory boards. Since 2000, ILF has provided scholarships, mentorship, and educational programs to over 10,000 students to cultivate the next generation of emerging leaders.

For the past five years, ILF Colorado has made a powerful impact in Colorado and across the United States by advocating for the needs of the AAPI community, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating opportunities for AAPI youth. Please hear from some of our local youth who have participated in ILF’s prestigious Civic Fellowship Program and other leadership activities available due to the support and work of local and national leaders and donors.

“AAPIs have a unique history of both persecution and prosperity here in Colorado and the US. We have overcome many unique hurdles to realize our ‘American Dreams’ through supporting each other in our local community,” said Shiou Y. Jefferson, Chair of ILF Colorado.

“I have been inspired by ILF to create the Colorado chapter to try to support the next generation of AAPI leaders in Colorado by creating better access to world-class education and leadership development in civics, law and business. Our youth have so much to offer to America’s next generation and I hope that you will also be inspired to join and support us after learning more.”

Calling Asian/Asian American Voters in Aurora!

Aurora is one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Colorado. It has grown well over 20% since 2010 - and it’s also one of the most diverse cities in the country with about 20% of its residents being born outside the US.

With Asians being the highest ethnic immigrants coming into the country and considering income inequality rising the fastest among Asian Americans, according to Pew Research, it is critical for Asians to engage in the upcoming Aurora elections.

MAYOR

Juan is the current Council Member for Ward IV since 2019 where he’s been a strong advocate for the community. He has taken the approach to tackle the root cause of crime and homelessness and invest in effective responses.

Believing in a clean Aurora, Marcano will protect our resources and implement environmentally sound solutions. He will also work on raising wages and affordable housing for a thriving Aurora.

According to APIAVote, Asian Americans ranked health care, jobs and the economy, crime, education, gun control and the environment as important issues; while a strong majority also said they agree that undocumented immigrants should have an opportunity to eventually become citizens in the US.

With these important issues in mind, the following candidates believe many of the same values that Asian voters do and will provide the best opportunities for our community to thrive.

CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE

Dr. Mayes is a pastor and a Vietnam veteran with advanced degrees in biblical studies, business administration and urban ministries. He’s served on the Aurora Police Victims Witness Advisory Board and the Independent Review Board for the Aurora Police Department. He’s been strong on gun violence prevention by hosting two gun buyback programs, and he will foster workforce development with organizations through education, outreach and training.

Alison is the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to council in the city’s history, and has been on City Council since 2019 representing Ward V. She has served Aurora by sponsoring legislation to increase minimum wages in the city, provide funding for affordable housing, protect immigrant communities, and establish resident committees for civic engagement and environmental sustainability.

Juan Marcano marcanoforaurora.com

Alison Coombs coombs4aurora.com

Dr. Thomas Mayes mayesforaurora.com

CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE

All six of these candidates have been endorsed by the Colorado Immigrants Rights Coalition and Conservation Colorado, which aligns with what Asian American voters care about with Immigration and the environment. Our Asian voters in Aurora must take note and turn in our ballots for these candidates this November.

WARD IV

WARD V

Chris Rhodes

rhodesforaurora.com

Chris comes from a blue collar background and has always fought for living wages for people. He organized the only division of United Airlines that was not already unionized and got them from a starting minimum wage to $21 an hour, doubling the pay. Reducing the wage gap, providing stable affordable housing, and creating public safety is at the core of what Chris will do for Aurora.

Jon Gray

gray4aurora.com

Jon was born and raised in Denver. Being a teacher and lifelong learner, he recently received his Masters in Public Administration. He now works for Arapahoe County Department of Human Services helping kids get Medicaid and supplemental benefits. Addressing public health with supportive services and access to care is at the top of his list along with funding programs that will restore economic vitality.

Brian is a former public school teacher, physicist and attorney who has served on his Tollgate Crossing Metro Board for 17 years making it one of the most fiscally responsible and safest districts in Aurora. In addition, Tollgate Crossing was able to secure Habitat for Humanity homes to provide quality homes to diverse and low income families. He is also fighting to save the Aurora Reservoir from fracking wells that will threaten the livelihoods of residents in Ward VI.

2023

Regular Municipal Election

Election Date: Nov. 7, 2023

Offices: Mayor, Ward IV, Ward V, Ward VI, Two At-Large

Positions

Aurora’s elections are non-partisan, where elected officials are elected to office without consideration of political party. The Mayor and Council Mem bers serve staggered four year terms. Terms begin at the commencement of the first regular Council Meeting in December after the election.

WARD

VI

Brian Matise matise4aurora.com

This article was compiled by Howard Chou, Chair of the AAPI Colorado Democrats and Campaign Manager for Brian for Aurora. Learn more about the ballot issues at aurora.gov.

Golf simulators, axe throwing, and ping pong—oh my!

Over Flyte provides a unique sports entertainment space in Denver

Recently opened in Central Park, Over Flyte is sport entertainment and events venue that features state-of-the-art golf simulators, high-tech axe throwing, and ping pong tables. The golf simulators are designed for all levels of play and even include other sports such as baseball, football and hockey.

Vinay Patidar came up with the idea for Over Flyte after he and his brother purchased the building, which was a former air traffic control tower at Denver’s original airport, and FlyteCo Brewery came in as their tenant.

“As close friends of ours we thought it would be perfect to partner with FlyteCo Brewery, which took the space on the first two floors,” said Patidar. “Then I designed Over Flyte for the third floor and worked with an architect firm to put everything down on paper.”

Patidar and his brother were both born in England. Their father is from Malawi, Africa and their mother is from India. They immigrated to the US from England in 1996. He said: “We moved around a few states from then to 1997 before we fell in love with Colorado and its mountains and city.”

Starting out, his parents owned a small 500 square foot liquor store and slowly grew into larger liquor stores, before moving on to purchasing land and building strip malls from the ground up. He and his brother opened their first liquor store together in 2014 and sold it in 2021 to use those funds to purchase the control tower.

After renovating the space, Over Flyte opened its doors in

August and has been working to get the word out about their unique entertainment offerings.

Patidar said: “We are getting our name out to the community and making sure people don’t confuse Over Flyte for FlyteCo Tower, which is a local brewery. While FlyteCo provides the food and beverage to Over Flyte, we provide all of the entertainment on the third floor.”

With its unique concept that attracts guests and events of all sizes, Patidar shares that his favorite aspect of Over Flyte is connecting with the community and watching guests get excited to play all the sports on their simulators.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, he shares his advice to young people who want to start a busniess: “Go for it, write your ideas down on paper, and find the right funding or partners to make it happen. Don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way, you’d be surprised how many people are willing to support someone.”

Featuring advanced golf simulation to play courses from the PGA tour and from around the world; axe throwing lanes with regulation targets, zombies, ducks, tick tack tow, and connect four; and an event space that can accommodate up to 120 people, guests can spend hours at Over Flyte shifting from the golf suite to the axe-throwing lanes to the ping pong tables.

Patidar said: “We’ve taken one of the most unique buildings in the world and made it into a place for friends, families, corporations to all enjoy.”

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Colorado Brewers Collect 40 Medals at Great American Beer Festival® Competition

35 Colorado breweries earned hardware at awards ceremony on Sept. 23

The Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) honored 35 Colorado breweries, 32 of which are independent craft breweries, that were awarded a total of 40 medals at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition on September 23.

The 2023 GABF, the largest beer competition in America, drew in 9,300 entries from 2,033 breweries across the US and Puerto Rico.

“This year was a huge year for Colorado, not only for the number of awards but also for the diversity of awards!” says CBG Executive Director Shawnee Adelson. Colorado brewers proved that they can make anything between a traditional lager to the newest category of West Coast IPAs. We are truly the State of Craft.”

The most-medaled brewery was Third Eye Brewing Co. of Sharonville, OH, which won two gold medals (Herb and Spice Beer, and Chocolate Beer) and two silver medals (Pumpkin Beer and Collaboration Competition).

From left: David Lin (Comrade Brewing), Tim Myers (Strange Craft Beer Company), and Tristan Chan (The Porch Collective) play a big role in Denver’s beer scene.

Attendees dress up for the 2023 Great American Beer Festival fun.

upcoming events

Finding Her Beat Documentary and Q&A

Thursday, Oct. 12, Begins at 7pm

Landmark’s Chez Artiste Theater

4150 E. Amherst Ave, Denver

Tickets: $13.75 Adult, $10.50 Child, $11.50 Senior tinyurl.com/finding-her-beat

Filipino American History Month Celebration

Sunday, Oct. 22 | 10am to 4pm History Colorado Center

1200 North Broadway, Denver

Tickets: $15 General, Free for History Colorado Member tinyurl.com/fahm-historyco

Send

Far East Center Trunk or Treat

Thursday, Oct. 26 | 5pm to 8pm 333 South Federal Blvd. Denver Free to attend fb.com/fareastcenter

Join Asian Girls Ignite at the public showing of Finding Her Beat, an uplifting story of music, cultural experience, and sisterhood.

A master of Japanese drumming and a Korean adoptee from Minnesota boldly convene an all-female troupe to perform Taiko—the Japanese drumming art that has been off-limits to women for centuries. After the show, stay for a Q&A session with associate producer and film subject, Megan Chao Smith, visiting from Minneapolis, MN.

AANHPI News Summit on Today’s Media Trends

Sunday, Oct. 15 | 10am to 1pm Happy Living and Wellness Center

14015 E Evans Ave, Aurora

Free to attend! Breakfast & Lunch Provided. aanhpisummit.eventbrite.com

Celebrate Filipino American History Month (FAHM) for the first time at History Colorado with a day of presentations and performances by Colorado’s Filipino American organizations: A Long March film by Tammy Botkin, Crosswind Church, Filipino American Community of Colorado, Philippine American Society of Colorado, and more!

36th Annual Japanese Arts & Crafts Showcase

Sunday, Oct. 22 | 11am to 3pm Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff Street, Arvada Free to attend simpsonumc.com

Get ready to groove to the tunes, play awesome games, chow down on yummy treats, with food trucks and vendors. Soak in some spooktacular entertainment with your loved ones! Show up in your snazziest outfit ‘cause we’re giving away prizes to the top 3 spooky style masters! Vendors will have a chance to win a prize for the bestdecorated trunk. This will be a third anual event offering a blast of spooky and safe fun for the whole family in the Westwood community.

International Leadership Foundation Networking Event

Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5:30pm to 7:30pm Englewood Civic Center

2nd Floor at Hampden Hall 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood RSVP to mamashiou1@gmail.com

Learn from Colorado’s AANHPIs in journalism and media about the latest trends in the industry and how community members can pitch story ideas. Network over food, and participate in a hands-on activity to better understand the uses of artificial intelligence (AI). Whether you’re a journalist, writer, community member, or simply interested in the power of storytelling, this summit welcomes you!

Enjoy this annual showcase celebrating the beauty of Japanese arts and crafts! Marvel at the exquisite handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and ceramics available for sale by members of the Japanese and Japanese American community. Engage with talented artisans and crafters and experience Japanese food.

Learn more about the International Leadership Foundation and its mission to develop young leaders in public service, law, and entrepreneurship. The leadership and networking event will showcase opportunities for youth to get involved through scholarships, mentorship, and educational programs. Hear from local youth who have participated in ILF’s Civic Fellowship.

Sustainable Innovation

National Day celebrates our prosperity. We use cutting-edge technology and resources well under the Six Core Strategic Industries initiative in line with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Commerce and trade are all thriving, as despite the pandemic, our economic growth in 2022 was 2.45%. Our renewable energy source power generation volume, including water, wind and solar, continues to grow and is poised to reach 15.5 percent by 2025.