Spice & Slice of Asian America: American Bamboo

Original theater and ancient Japanese taiko drumming will be performed by Mu Performing Arts at Hennepin County Library’s “Spice & Slice of Asian America” program series in May, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. All programs are free.

Mu Performing Arts, the second largest Asian-American performing arts company in the U.S., will perform at six libraries. The series will kick off with a performance by three percussionists on large, traditional Japanese drums known as taiko. The audience will have an opportunity to try simple taiko rhythms. 

The new play “American Bamboo,” which offers poignant and comic insights into the Asian American experience, will debut on May 6 at Hennepin County Library – Plymouth and also be performed later in the month at Hennepin County Library - Southdale. Laotian, South Asian, Vietnamese, and Filipino stories, plus traditional Korean mask dance and Bollywood-style dances, are included.

“FOB,” which Mu describes as “a groundbreaking comedy about Chinese American identity,” also will be presented. It features three characters in conflict over their Chinese heritage and American upbringing.

Grade school children will be captivated by “Hmong Tiger Tales,” a program of short plays based on Hmong folk tales.

Finally, actors who are Korean-American adoptees will perform powerful, true life stories of other Korean adoptees growing up in Minnesota at the program, “Korean Adoptee Stories.” Minnesota has the largest Korean adoptee community in the U.S.

Rick Shiomi, artistic director of Mu Performing Arts, said, “Mu Performing Arts is truly excited to present our series of programs as part of Hennepin County Library's ‘Spice & Slice’ series celebrating Asian American Heritage Month. We hope to engage the broader community in artistic experiences reflecting the diversity and social issues of our time through this collaboration. I’m particularly proud to present my new play, ‘American Bamboo,’ which is a quick abridged version of Asian American history through a variety of performances ranging from personal stories about immigration and family histories to Bollywood-style dances.”

The total Asian population in Minnesota is about 250,000, which is approximately a 52 percent increase from the year 2000. About half of the Asian population in the state lives in Hennepin and Ramsey counties (source:Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans’ December 2011 U.S. Census 2010 and Asian Community Short Report). 

The “Spice & Slice of Asian America” series is funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and presented in partnership with Mu Performing Arts.

Spice & Slice of Asian America: American Bamboo 

Southdale Library 

Saturday, May 26, 10:30 a.m. 

As with other immigrant groups, Asian immigrants have had their struggles. This new play will offer poignant and comic insights into the Asian American experience, highlighting specific ethnic Asian groups and will incorporate Japanese and Vietnamese stories and Bollywood-style dances.

This project is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Presented in partnership with Mu Performing Arts.