Brooklyn, NY: Throughout May, Brooklyn Children’s Museum will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a dynamic series of weekly cultural programs. These special events will take place every Thursday at 3:00 pm during the Museum's free Community Access Thursday hours, offering families an opportunity to explore the rich diversity of AAPI cultures through performances, storytelling, crafts, and culinary experiences.
Children, families, and caregivers of all backgrounds can come honor their Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage or learn about that of their neighbors through engaging performances, stories, arts and crafts, and cooking activities.
“For this year’s AAPI Heritage Month, we’re excited to bring together diverse cultural experiences —from bilingual storytelling to Indian dance and dumpling making,” says Dylan House, Director of Public Programs at Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “These programs celebrate the dynamic AAPI communities that are such an important part of Brooklyn today. We hope you’ll join us in May!”
Program Schedule:
Thursday, May 1 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Storytime with Michele Wong McSween
Meet author Michele Wong McSween and join this interactive bilingual reading of Gordon & Li Li: All About Me, an adorable bilingual book where little ones discover their heads, shoulder, knees, toes, and more! The playful illustrations encourage little ones to point to or act out their body parts as they read and recite the words in English and Mandarin.
Thursday, May 8 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Storytime with Ran Wei
Join author Ran Wei Baker of Boba Bear Bilingual Books for a bilingual, English-Chinese storytime! Enjoy a reading of 123 NYC with Boba Bear (123 八包熊去纽约玩), sing along to bilingual songs, and create a fun craft inspired by Boba Bear’s own NYC adventure.
Thursday, May 15 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Dance with Ajna Dance Company
Explore Indian classical dance and learn expressive hand gestures with Ajna Dance Company. Try out movements that tell stories without using words, play games that teach unity and kindness, and discover how dance can share powerful messages.
Thursday, May 22 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Dumpling Making with Christine Wong
Join author and plant-based chef Christine Wong for an East Asian-style dumpling making workshop. Participants will learn how to roll the dumpling wrappers and fold them in different ways using dough. Then, get a taste of Chef Wong’s own delicious handmade veggie dumplings right after!
Thursday, May 29 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Mulan with New York Chinese Cultural Center
Watch (and join!) performers from the New York Chinese Cultural Center as they bring the story of Mulan to life. Enjoy exciting dance and kung fu demonstrations, then participate in a hands-on movement lesson after the show.
Made possible by funding support from Amazon, BCM’s Community Access Thursdays offer FREE admission each week on Thursdays between the hours of 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
For more information, visit: www.brooklynkids.org.
