The Asian and Pacific Islander Festival recently reigned at Westlake High School’s gym and auditorium. All through the afternoon a fabulous variety of professional and student performers exhibited their skills in martial arts, dance and fashion. Many of the acts were local performers. Others had ties to Charles County’s Black Leadership Council for Excellence (BLCE) and Korean American Association of Southern Maryland (KAASM). The festival was a joint effort from the BLCE and KAASM.
County Commissioner Reuben Collins was on hand to enjoy the performances. He told the crowd: “Anywhere else, you’d have to pay significant money to see performers of this quality.”
Several major sponsorships from the companies listed below made this festival free and open to the public, but attendance was smaller than a festival of this quality should expect. The Bay Net’s Charles County staff and their families had a great time at the festival. Check out the photos in the slide show, play the videos and get yourself there next year.
The National Endowment for the Arts
The Korean American Association of Southern Maryland (KAASM)
Maryland Traditions – Maryland State Arts Council
Charles County Public Schools
Maryland’s Cigarette Restitution Fund Program
Charles County Arts Alliance
SMECO
Maryland Bank & Trust
College of Southern Maryland
Burger King
Health Dept. of Charles County
Embassy of the Republic of Korea Festival
Elkins School of Karate
Tai Yim Kung Fu School
Natyabhoomi School of Dance
Washington Korean Dance
KAASM Korean School
TarabRaqs – Middle Eastern Music & Belly Dancing
Halau O Na Hali’a Hawaiian Dance School
Master Soo Dong Lee, Clothing Designer
Heather Bartlett is TheBayNet.com’s Waldorf and Arts Correspondent. To contact her about this article, Waldorf issues or Arts events comment below or email bartlett@thebaynet.com.