THE 27th ANNUAL UNITED STATES OF ASIAN AMERICA FESTIVAL: BE(LONG)ING HERE
FESTIVAL EVENTS ⚈ SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER ⚈ PRESS KIT
CLICK HERE FOR THE USAAF 2024 RECAP REPORT
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Each year, the United States of Asian American Festival (USAAF) presents up to 20 different programs reflecting the artistic accomplishments and cultural diversity of San Francisco’s Pacific Islander and Asian American communities. USAAF showcases artists representing a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups and aims to heighten the visibility of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists working in all disciplines - theater, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, and more! Our goal is to nurture and empower these groups to be self-sufficient while providing the support they need to grow.
This year’s theme, Be(long)ing Here, asks us what being and belonging means for ourselves and our communities. The festival will honor AAPI arts and culture reflecting on where we have been, where we are now, and what our collective future holds while acknowledging our roots as immigrants, refugees, and mixed-race descendants.
Thank you to our many partners and funders including the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Foundation and startsmall.
2024 FESTIVAL EVENTS
Click the links below to purchase tickets or RSVP to upcoming festival events!
WEEK 1
- 4/25/2024 USAAF 2024 Festival Kick Off Event and Where Is Your Body Exhibition Opening
Join APICC, the Featured Arts Exhibition Festival Curator Delaney Chieyen Holton and exhibiting artists for a special gathering to celebrate the beginning of the 27th Annual United States of Asian America: Be(long)ing Here from 6:00–9:00 pm at SOMArts Cultural Center (934 Brannan St, San Francisco).
- 4/25/2024 - 5/24/2024 Where is Your Body Art Exhibition is Open to the Public (see below for more details!)
WEEK 2
- 4/28/2024 BORN A PROBLEM: Opening Reception by HOME MADE
- 4/28/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Exhibition Opening Reception by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 4/28/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Panel and Lunch by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 4/29/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Exhibition by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 4/30/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Exhibition by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/1/2024 BORN A PROBLEM: Artist Talk by HOME MADE
- 5/2/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Exhibition by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/3/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Exhibition by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/3/2024 BORN A PROBLEM: Panel Discussion by HOME MADE
- 5/3/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Exhibition (Weekend 2 of 3) by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/4/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Exhibition by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/4/2024 Silk Road to San Francisco (Workshop 1 of 4) by Badri Valian
- 5/4/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Performance World Premier by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/4/2024 Where is Your Body Artist Workshop with Chia Amisola curated by Delaney Chieyen Holton
WEEK 3
- 5/5/2024 BORN A PROBLEM: Craft Poetry Workshop by HOME MADE
- 5/5/2024 BORN A PROBLEM: Closing Celebration by HOME MADE
- 5/5/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Performance World Premier by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/5/2024 Shadows & Secrets: Art Gallery Closing Reception / Afterparty (Final Weekend 3 of 3) by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/10/2024 Silk Road to San Francisco (Workshop 2 of 4) by Badri Valian
- 5/10/2024 Shadows & Secrets Art Exhibition by Eth-Noh-Tec
- 5/11/2024 With a Twist: Stories of Her Own Opening Reception curated by Angela Han Art LLC
- 5/11/2024 - 6/8/2024 With a Twist: Stories of Her Own Exhibition on View curated by Angela Han Art LLC
- 5/12/2024 Pravaasi World Premier by Anupama Srivastava and the InSyncKathak Dancers
WEEK 4
- 5/17/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Preview Picnic by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/17/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Preview Show by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/18/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Preview Picnic by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/18/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Preview Show by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/18/2024 Afro Asian Futures by Scott Oshiro's Deciphering Broken Rhythms Collective
- 5/18/2024 Where is Your Body Artist Workshop with Kelsey Chen curated by Delaney Chieyen Holton
- 5/19/2024 Islands By The Bay Festival by Legacies of the Pacific
- 5/19/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Weekend 1 Picnic by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/19/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Weekend 1 Show by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/20/2024 Silk Road to San Francisco (Workshop 3 of 4) by Badri Valian
- 5/20/2024 Queering Biryani Cooking Class and Supper Club by Zara Ahmed
WEEK 5
- 5/24/2024 Silk Road to San Francisco (FINAL Workshop 4 of 4) by Badri Valian
- 5/24/2024 Where is Your Body Closing Reception curated by Delaney Chieyen Holton
- 5/25/2024 Understudy: Reviving & Reclaiming AAPI Stories in The Bay Area by Understudy
- 5/25/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Weekend 2 Picnic by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/25/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Weekend 2 Show by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/26/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Weekend 2 Picnic by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/26/2024 花和霧 flowers and fog Weekend 2 Show by Melissa Lewis Wong and Joy ChenYu Lewis
- 5/26/2024 Evolved Herstories - With a Twist: Stories of Her Own - Artist Talks curated by Angela Han Art LLC
- 5/26/2024 Philippine Dance in the Bay Area by Pangalay Circle
WEEK 6
- 5/31/2024 Just a Shadow (Performance 1 of 6) by Megan Lowe Dances
- 6/1/2024 Just a Shadow (Performance 2 of 6) by Megan Lowe Dances
- 6/1/2024 Soul of The City by Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu
- 6/2/2024 Just a Shadow (Performance 3 of 6) by Megan Lowe Dances
- 6/2/2024 Soul of The City by Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu
WEEK 7
- 6/7/2024 Just a Shadow (Performance 4 of 6) by Megan Lowe Dances
- 6/8/2024 Just a Shadow (Performance 5 of 6) by Megan Lowe Dances
- 6/8/2024 Duck Soup (Show 1,2 of 6) Ramon Abad
- 6/9/2024 Just a Shadow (FINAL Performance 6 of 6) by Megan Lowe Dances
- 6/9/2024 Duck Soup (Show 3,4 of 6) by Ramon Abad
- 6/15/2024 Echoes in the Diaspora Performance by GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) / GAPA Fund (Ticket Link Coming Soon!)
- 6/14/2024 - 6/16/2024 20th Anniversary International Queer Women of Color Film Festival by Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project
- 6/15/2024 Duck Soup (Show 5,6 of 6) by Ramon Abad
APICC X SUNDAY STREETS TENDERLOIN ARTIST SHOWCASE
June 23, 2024 @ 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Golden Gate Ave (between Jones & Hyde Streets, San Francisco)
RSVP Here
Performing Artists Include:
- duy-ên-yeon by Johnny Huy Nguyễn & Tim Kim
- Curve Wrecker by Sun Park
- bound by dNaga Dance Co.
- The Panchakanyas Project by Swetha Prabakaran Productions // Nirmathi
- Between Arrivals and Departures Poetry Reading by Preeti Vangani, Shikha Malaviya, and Maw Shein Win
2024 FEATURED ARTISTS
Megan Lowe Dances
Megan Lowe Dances' production Just a Shadow brings together 7 powerful artists to make 6 distinct duets, in a process that nourishes the soul, supports healing, acknowledges resilience, celebrates life, and honors the memories of loved ones. It welcomes diverse perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, recognizing that the narratives surrounding death and processing grief are multifaceted and deeply personal. Through dance performance, MLD aims to provide a platform for catharsis, empathy, and collective understanding, fostering connections that transcend individual stories and unite us in a shared journey toward solace and healing. Learn more at https://www.meganlowedances.com
Show Dates and Times:
Fri, May 31 @ 7:30-9PM
Sat, June 1 @ 7:30-9PM
Sun, June 2 @ 7:30-9PM
Fri, June 7 @ 7:30-9PM
Sat, June 8 @ 7:30-9PM
Sun, June 9 @ 7:30-9PM
Venue: The Joe Goode Annex
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW
Ramon Abad
Ramon Abad's Duck Soup is an immersive theater experience for children and families at Bindlestiff Studio. The one-hour show will engage the audience by guiding them to various sections of the theater, where they will witness short stories brought to life through captivating puppet performances. "Duck Soup" is Depression-era slang for something that's "easy to do" or a "piece of cake." No actual ducks will be cooked. Tickled perhaps, but not cooked! Learn more at www.ramon-puppetry.com
Show Dates and Times:
Sat, June 8 @ 11AM-12PM
Sat, June 8 @ 3-4PM
Sun, June 9 @ 11AM-12PM
Sun, June 9 @ 3-4PM
Sat, June 15 @ 11AM-12PM
Sat, June 15 @3-4PM
Venue: Bindlestiff Studios (185 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW
FEATURED VISUAL ART EXHIBITION
Exhibition Curated by Delaney Chieyen Holton
Where is Your Body highlights the body and its needs as the lowest common denominator for solidarity. Thinking of the body – in its capacities and vulnerabilities – as a site of both violence and resistance, the exhibition gathers women/trans/queer artists of API diasporic experience engaged in practices of the body to explore questions of labor, memory, and desire. Rather than gesturing towards an identarian collectivity, the racial and gendered angle of the exhibition recognizes how systems of disenfranchisement are interlocked, co-constituting, and mutually sustaining.
Exhibiting Artists:
Nibha Akireddy
Erina Alejo
Sholeh Asgary
Bhasha Chakrabarti
Edi Dai
Theo/Tina Kashiwagi
Private Practices Collection (via Kayla Tange and Hailey Loman)
Thuong Hoai Tran
Kim Ye
Rachel Youn
Learning Palestine
Venue: SOMArts Cultural Center
Event Dates and Times:
Thurs, April 25 @ 6-9PM Exhibition Opening Reception and USAAF 2024 Festival Kick-Off
RSVP FOR THE OPENING RECEPTION AND USAAF FESTIVAL KICK OFF
April 25 - May 24 Exhibition Open to the Public
Sat, May 4, 1:30–3:30 pm
Artist Workshop with Chia Amisola
Chia Amisola will give a hybrid performance and participatory workshop on digital ritualmaking, gathering, and identity. Chris Giang will offer tea service using handmade ceramic teaware during the event.
Sat, May 18, 1:30–3:30 pm
Tattoo Ritual with Kelsey Chen
Kelsey Chen will be performing a tattoo ritual for viewing and visitors will be offered temporary tattoos. Chris Giang will offer tea service using handmade ceramic teaware during the event.
Fri, May 24 @ 6-9PM: Closing Reception
RSVP FOR THE CLOSING RECEPTION
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
APICC is seeking for volunteers for USAAF's Opening/Closing Reception and Outdoor Showcase in April, May & June. Please fill out our Volunteer Sign-Up Form to support AAPI artists!
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND SPONSORS
San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, SF Grants for the Arts, SF Office of Economic & Workforce Development, Zellerbach Family Foundation, APA Heritage Foundation, The Ruby SF, and SOMArts Cultural Center.