The Chandler Gilbert Asian Festival – a new Asian organization founded in Chandler and Gilbert – has a goal of promoting ethnic restaurants, cultural events and other activities.
While the group includes the word “festival” in its name, the organization isn’t just focused on a single event or activity.
There will be a festival, said Elaine Kessler, a Gilbert resident who is of Thai origin and “hopefully it will be an annual and it will take place on the border of Chandler and Gilbert.
“However, the group is so much bigger than the festival,” she added.
For example, the group decorated Water Tower Plaza in Gilbert with Chinese lanterns in a burst of orange and gold to celebrate a mid-autumn festival.
It also has made a short promotional video about Asian ice cream flavors to highlight the 212 Ice Cream Studio in southeast Gilbert.
And then group has recorded the first episode of a podcast called “ConversAsians,” interviewing Chandler city employee Sandip Dholakia, who spoke about what life was like for his immigrant parents coming to the U.S. and raising first generation Americans.
Kessler said the Chandler Gilbert Asian Festival will support businesses in the two municipalities as well as cultural activities such as Bollywood dancing, the Chandler International Film Festival and “a lot more.”
She noted that there are many ethnic groups in both Gilbert and Chandler that work separately and do not collaborate, such as Turkish and Laotian communities.
“This is an opportunity for these groups to unite with its art, performance and other activities,” she said.
Joseph Yang, the chief operating officer, said the group seeks to unite the Asian communities in the two municipalities and especially activate the smaller communities and cultures. He also wants to connect the younger and older generations within ethnic communities.
Yang, a Chandler resident of Korean ethnicity who was born and raised in Gilbert, said a need exists for such as the Chandler Gilbert Asian Festival.
Chandler has the largest percentage of Asian Americans in Arizona and although the city has been presenting various events for the Asian community for a while, there is no formal, lasting organization, he said.
The city is spread thin because it must also organize events for many cultures, including Hispanic and African American, among others.
“They can’t solely focus on us and I think it’s time we get an organization that can really focus on the Asian American community, year-round,” Yang said.
Gilbert also has a substantial Asian community but it is not culturally organized, Yang said.
While the “ConversAsians” podcast will highlight the different cultural happenings in the community, another digital media series, called “Asian Eats,” will focus on Asian eateries.
Gilbert Councilwoman Yung Koprowski, who is of Chinese Malaysian heritage, said, “While I don’t believe a formal Asian cultural organization is necessary in Gilbert, I do welcome the idea of cultural events that involve collaboration among East Valley cities like Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler.
“These events can promote cultural exchange, celebrate diversity, and bring our communities together without the need for a dedicated organization,” she said. “It’s a way to embrace cultural richness while maintaining the unique character of each town.”
Koprowski said she is not aware of the group’s plans beyond organizing an Asian festival next year.
“However, I believe that any efforts aimed at fostering collaboration between the community and businesses, especially when led by grassroots volunteer initiatives, are commendable,” she added.
“I would hope to see the festival contribute to cultural enrichment, promote local businesses, and strengthen bonds within our diverse community.”
Chandler resident Kriti Agarwal leads the cultural committee in the Chandler Gilbert Asian Festival and will partner for community engagement with various cultural Asian associations in the Valley.
Agarwal, who is of Indian descent, is a proponent of Bollywood dancing and the founder of Kriti Dance, Bollywood Dance Academy & Performing Arts Company in Chandler.
She is no stranger to cross-cultural activities. Dance has no cultural barriers, she states in her website, and her Sunday morning dance class attracts participants from many ethnicities.
Agarwal said she looks forward to developing more community involvement and bringing visibility to small, local Asian businesses at the grassroots level.
Group members recently attended an exuberant Bollywood dance class with Kriti Dance.
The new organization is necessary for the area, Agarwal said.
“Chandler has the highest percentage –17 percent – of Asian population in Arizona with Gilbert and Phoenix following,” she said. “So, it is fitting that Chandler and Gilbert have a local organization that provides a community platform to unite all.”
For details on the Chandler Gilbert Asian Festival, visit its Facebook page.