Willamette University Sponsored
ALIANZA: Hispanic Heritage Month
Mid-September through mid-October
ALIANZA: Dia de los Muer tos Celebration
November
RAINBOW Alliance: Guess the Straight Person, Bistro
Fall Semester
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
January
Chinese Taiwanese Cultural Association’s Lunar New Year Festival
February
Native and Indigenous Student Union: Social Powwow
April
Cone Fieldhouse: Sparks Event Center
Japan Studies Student Leader’s Sakura Matsuri Festival
April
Putnam University Center: Cat Cavern
Sakura Matsuri is a festival held to welcome and celebrate the beautiful cherry blossoms. Sakura (cherry blossoms) are entrenched in Japanese culture. The Japanese hold significance to the sakura as a representation of the ephemeral and transient nature of life.
Every year, Japan Studies Student Leaders, with the help of many American Studies Program and Willamette University volunteers, host this festival filled with food, entertainment, and many cultural activities.
Hawai’i Club: Annual Luau
April
Cone Fieldhouse: Sparks Event Center
An annual event sharing the Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander culture and traditions featuring food, music, flora, and entertainment.
ALIANZA: Reventon
May
Celebration through food, dance, music, and entertainment.
Salem and Oregon
DisOrient-Asian American Film Festival: Bijou Arts Cinema Eugene, OR
April
The DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon is a community, grassroots, and volunteer-run film festival committed to presenting honest portrayals of the diversity of Asian American experiences. We believe in the power of film to educate, positively transform our community, and challenge the negative stereotypes of the 'Oriental' presented by mainstream media. We use the W.E.B. DuBois standard of "for us, by us, or about us" when selecting new and exciting films for our festival
Pride NW: Portland, OR
Summer
pridenw.org
Portland’s Annual LGBT Pride Festival and Parade
Salem World Beat Festival: Riverfront Park
www.worldbeatfestival.org
A two-day program of international music, dance, food, hands-on crafts and folklore celebrating the people and traditions of every continent. Three costumed processions and more than 125 performances, demonstrations and workshops take place throughout the weekend. In addition to cultural exhibits, food, clothing and gift items, each of the festival's five World Villages includes a children's area with free, hands-on cultural crafts.
The Ho`ike & Hawaiian Festival: Esther Short Park Vancouver, WA
July
hawaiianfestivalpnw.com
The Ho`ike & Hawaiian Festival is held at Esther Short Park in beautiful downtown Vancouver, WA. Haumana will be performing dances as well as a song or two by visiting the renowned Kuma hula. There are arts and crafts vendors, Hawaiian food, shave ice, and entertainment including several hula halaus, and Native American dancers.
Capitol Pride: Salem, OR
August
www.capitolpride.org
Capitol Pride is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote understanding and education regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered issues, and to foster a sense of community for these individuals in Salem and the mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon. To further these goals Capitol Pride sponsors the annual Capitol Pride celebration each year in Salem, Oregon.
Fiesta Mexicana: Legion Park-Woodburn, OR
August
www.woodburn-or.gov/?q=node/392
The celebration of Mexican culture is a community event featuring a soccer tournament, a carnival, music, dance, vendors, and authentic Mexican food. There also is a carnival with rides and games throughout the festival, vendors, and lots of authentic Mexican food.
Tet in Oregon: Portland
January
Tet Nguyen Dan translates as the “first day” and is a time to celebrate heritage, honor ancestors, leave the year’s problems behind and make a fresh start.
Oregon Asian Celebration: Lane Events Center@Lane County Fairgrounds-Eugene, OR
February
The annual event features a bustling array of Asian culture through its colorful marketplace of vendors, Asian and Asian-American dances and entertainment, artisans, crafts, cooking and martial arts demonstrators, youth activities, and the Asian Food Court.