Asian Pacific American performing arts groups from across the state will be coming together Friday night to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at the Council of Asian Pacific Americans’ (CAPA’s) annual cultural show, Splendor of the East, at the Ford Community Center for the Performing Arts in Dearborn.

This year’s theme, Tales of the Enchanted Lands - Myths & Legends, showcases the richness of Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and other Asian and non-Asian cultures in America while exploring the diversity of myths, legends, fairy tales and folklore that bring us all together in a spirit of unity. Tickets are available for purchase online and at the door. The event starts at 7 p.m.

Here is a sampler from last year's show, please forgive their typo:

From CAPA’s website:

"The month of May is the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Designated by President Bush as such since 1999, the Michigan Asian Pacific community had been celebrating the month-long yearly event with a cultural show showcasing their many cultures with a variety show aptly named Splendor of the East. Presented in various venues in Macomb Township, Southfield and Dearborn, this year's celebration will be at the Ford Community Center for the Performing Arts in Dearborn on May 14, 2010….

Formed in 2000, CAPA strives to unite Asian Pacific Americans and the community at large through culture, education, and community service. Annual events such as Splendor of the East, APA Leadership Summit, and Simply the Best are growing more and more successful each year, and the 2009-2010 board of directors is excited to expand new community and education initiatives and build a stronger Asian Pacific American community in Michigan.

Splendor of the East offers a unique opportunity for the audience to experience the richness of Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and other Asian cultures. Mesmerizing dances and graceful music will light up the stage for all to see.

This year’s event theme is: “Tales of the Enchanted Lands - Myths & Legends.” - a mesmerizing passage of myths, legends, fairytales and folklore, woven into a seamless presentation a true depiction of unity in diversity!

The performance will unify the community, acting as a tool to present both traditional Asian-Pacific Heritages as well as American Cultural influences on immigrants, as well as showing ways people have fused influences from both cultures, developing new art forms that represent the Asian-Pacific American culture.

The Asian Pacific American community in Michigan is growing in numbers and in strength, and Asian Pacific Americans continue to contribute to the state’s economy, diversity, and vitality. Your support for initiatives and events, such as Splendor of the East, is greatly appreciated.

We hope you will join us at the Splendor of the East 2010!"

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a second-generation Chinese American from California who now divides her time between Ann Arbor and the Big Island of Hawaii. She is editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, lead multicultural contributor for AnnArbor.com, and a contributor for New America Media's Ethnoblog. She is a popular speaker on Asian Pacific American and multicultural issues. Check out her website at franceskaihwawang.com, her blog at franceskaihwawang.blogspot.com, and she can be reached at fkwang888@gmail.com.