AAPI Heritage Month Kickoff: Island Vibes & Happy Hour!

Thursday, May 1st | 5:00pm-7:30pm CST | Caption by Hyatt - Beer Garden & Talk Shop

Join us as we kick off Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Memphis with a vibrant Happy Hour celebration filled with island flavors, tropical cocktails, and community spirit!

Indulge in a curated menu by Hyatt Executive Chef, Chef Pavy Keomaniboth, showcasing Pacific Island cuisine, featuring bold, authentic flavors that transport you straight to paradise. Sip on handcrafted Pacific Island-inspired cocktails, blending exotic fruits and island spices for the perfect toast to heritage and culture.

Enjoy an evening of great company, culinary excellence, and festive vibes as we honor the rich traditions and contributions of AAPI communities. 

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate, taste, and toast to the beauty of our heritage! Bring your friends and let the spirit of the islands uplift your evening.  We can't wait to celebrate with you! 

Tickets are $40 and include:

• Refreshing handcrafted Pacific Island inspired cocktails.

• Curated menu showing Pacific Island cuisine, featuring a limited-edition menu just for our guests.

21 and up ticketed event. Purchase tickets via Tock.

Caption by Hyatt - Beer Garden & Talk Shop

245 S Front Street

Memphis, TN 38103

This event kicks off AAPI Heritage Month Memphis & The Hungry Tiger Food Tour with Edible Memphis.

This month the Hungry Tiger will take you on a tasty trek around town to restaurants showcasing some of our Memphis Asian ethnic communities. We’ll visit long-standing staples and more recent additions, and hopefully introduce you to a new-to-you favorite. If you’ve been looking for a reason to check out local eats or a way to connect with other folks in our community, this is for you!

Check out the full tour schedule at thehungrytigermemphis.com

Learn more about how this delicious initiative began in Edible Memphis’s story “Calling All Hungry Tigers.”

AAPI Heritage Month Student Art Exhibition - Opening Reception

Wednesday, May 7th | 6:00pm-7:30pm CST | Cossitt Library

Join us for the opening reception of the 2nd annual Student Art Exhibition celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This exhibit showcases the creativity of K-12 students from Memphis and Shelby County, who have crafted inspiring pieces honoring AAPI culture. Under the theme "Celebrate AAPI Stories, Traditions, and Identity," the artwork reflects the rich diversity and experiences of the AAPI community as well as AAPI cultural influence more broadly.

Top entries not only receive prizes but are also featured in this special community exhibit on view from April 28th through May 16th, allowing young artists to share their voices and perspectives. Don't miss this opportunity to support and celebrate our talented youth! The opening reception on May 7th will provide the opportunity to congratulate the student winners. Refreshments will be provided.

Free and open to the public.

Artwork will be on display at Cossitt Library from April 28th-May 16th before traveling to The Shops at Saddle Creek’s pop-up gallery on May 17th (more info below)

Cossitt Library

33 Front Street

Memphis, Tennessee 38103

“Bluff City Chinese” A Documentary Film - Screening & Discussion

Thursday, May 8th Thursday, May 29th | 6:00pm-8:15pm | National Civil Rights Museum

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, join the National Civil Rights Museum and AAPI Heritage Month Memphis for a special screening of BLUFF CITY CHINESE. "Bluff City Chinese" follows filmmaker Thandi Cai and elder Emerald Dunn as they uncover 150 years of Chinese immigrant history in Memphis, weaving personal stories, community voices, and archival research into a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and resilience.

Following the screening, is a community discussion and Q&A with Thandi Cai, Director and Creator of BLUFF CITY CHINESE, A Documentary Film.

Registration is FREE with RSVP.

Doors open 5pm. Pre-reception begins at 6pm.

National Civil Rights Museum

450 Mulberry Street

Memphis, TN 38103

Stay in a Book | Guest Author: Dr. SunAh Laybourn

Thursday, May 15th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Crosstown Concourse - Suite 366

Stay in a Book is on a mission to create a community of lifelong learners. Through apparel for readers and monthly reader meet ups, Stay in a Book provides a space for curiosity, community, and conversations about the books you’re reading and the ones didn’t even know you need to add to your reading list. For May’s Stay in a Book Club, we welcome our first guest author - Dr. SunAh Laybourn. Join us this month as SunAh tells her story and shares about her book, Out of Place: The Lives of Korean Adoptee Immigrants. Listen to her TEDxMemphis talk here. You will be glad you did!

Stay In A Book Club: Bring the book you are currently reading or about to read and a friend!

Stay in a Book can be found at stayinabook.com or on Instagram @stayinabook

Crosstown Concourse

1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 366 (Memphis Teacher Residency)

Memphis, TN 38104

Super Saturday: Art in the Park In Partnership with Overton Park Concervancy

Saturday, May 17th | 10:00am-12:00pm | Overton Park Formal Gardens

Join us for a delightful afternoon immersed in the vibrant spirit of AAPI Heritage Month! Nestled within the serene beauty of the Formal Gardens adjacent to Brooks Plaza, this enchanting event promises creativity and connection. Be sure to bring your sunscreen and waterbottles!

As you take in the lush surroundings, you'll have the perfect backdrop for crafting intricate origami flowers, celebrating the national symbols of various Asian nations. This hands-on activity is designed for both seasoned origami enthusiasts and curious beginners alike, making it an inviting space for all ages.

As you engage in this unique craft, you can also take the time to connect with fellow participants and share stories, laughter, and newfound friendships. It's a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate heritage but to also cultivate a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse cultures that enrich our society. So gather your loved ones, bring your creativity, and let's blossom together in the heart of nature!

Register here!

Overton Park Formal Gardens (map)

Memphis, TN 38104

Good Fortune x Gorae Soju: Karaoke Pop-Up

Tuesday, May 20th | 5:00pm-10:00pm | Good Fortune Co.

Big love to our friends at Gorae Soju for fueling the mic and the moment—we’ll have soju cocktails flowing and vibes set to KTV mode. Come sing the song that lights your fire. Just know the one song we won’t allow is: Pink Pony Club. (Don’t ask.)🎶🎤

We’re cooking a tight, thoughtful menu inspired by Korean classics the GFC way. It’s a short list, but every dish is gonna go hard. We’re keeping it intimate, fun, and open to the public.

👀🍹Also: first peek at our new spring beverage menu goes to the ones who pull up. No spoilers. Just show up and sip something new. Cocktail menu will go live Tuesday. 🍹👀

You know where to find us. Or not. Your call.

Good Fortune Co.

361 S. Main Street

Memphis, TN 38103

Suchitra Mattai: with abundance we meet

Thursday, May 22nd | Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

with abundance we meet is an installation made of ‘fruit’ (phala in Hindi) sculptures by the artist Suchitra Mattai that are ripe with possibilities, conjuring wombs and fertility spirits. The phala are made with braided and woven vintage saris and are a nod to the artist’s South Asian ancestry and will hang in the museum’s rotunda. These ‘migrant bodies’ seems to simultaneously rise and fall, emerge and disappear. The saris are from all over the world, from India, the Caribbean (Guyana, specifically), and the United States, and are sometimes gifted to the artist by friends and family. When braided and woven in this scale, the sculptures become monuments to women. They also allude to domestic labor as they are made of ‘everyday’ saris (not the ‘fancy’ ones worn for ritual celebrations and other formal occasions). The work honors craft-based processes historically associated with women and the domestic, such as early American braided rug-making. With every strip of fabric, the artist connects women of the South Asian diaspora and beyond. 

Exhibit opens May 22nd. For more information, visit: Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

1934 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104

Alex Wong presents Permission - Multi-sensory Listening Tasting Tour

Friday, May 23rd | Imagine Vegan Cafe

Alex Wong is a Nashville-based musician, songwriter, and chef.  To celebrate the release of his album Permission, he created a multi city, multi sensory tour called The Permission Parties.  

The purpose of The Permission Parties is to invest in the idea that everyone has permission to take up space.  Growing up in the US as a second-generation Chinese American, Alex struggled to feel permission to take up space with his body, his voice, or his point of view. Movies and media told him he was allowed to be a buddy, a punchline, or a decoration, but there was not enough space for his stories in the center of the room.  By showcasing the emotional narratives connecting his music, food, and cultural identity, he hopes to empower everyone, especially those on the margins, to feel permission to take up space with their stories.

The experience will invite guests into a deeply connected experience through a multi-course listening and tasting dinner in which attendees will enjoy six Chinese-inspired dishes he’s created that share some common emotion with each of the six tracks on his new album Permission.  He will share a personal story about each course before serving, and then play the track while the guests enjoy the dish. 

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite: Alex Wong + Imagine Vegan present PERMISSION.

Imagine Vegan Cafe

2158 Young Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104

Super Saturday - Japanese Fans

Saturday, May 24th | 10:00am-12:00pm CST | Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Learn about the art of sensu or Japanese folding fans by making your own! Experience the joy of creativity and the beauty of cultural heritage as you engage with this interactive workshop. Join us in celebrating AAPI Heritage Month through this delightful art-making experience!

Free with registration.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

1934 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38104

City of Memphis AAPI Education Series

Saturday, May 24th | 10:00am-1:30pm | Bert Ferguson Community Center

Explore the rich and diverse cultures of our local Asian ethnic communities. Enjoy live performances, cultural activities, and food. Come learn about the following countries: China, Korea, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

Bert Ferguson Community Center

8505 Trinity Road

Cordova, TN 38018

Memphis Dragon Boat Festival

Saturday, May 31st | All Day | Hyde Lake, Shelby Farms

The Memphis Dragon Boat Festival is an annual fundraising event hosted at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, TN. The festival features boat racing, dance performances, live music, and lots of food. This event is hosted by the Memphis Chinese Community Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural heritage, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening community cohesion.

For more information and to register your team, visit MemphisDragonBoatFestival.com

Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms

6931 Great View Drive North

Memphis, TN 38134