Pan-Asian cultural showcase arrives in Boulder

13th annual Boulder Asian Festival fills Pearl Street with fare, entertainment

By Joe Nguyen, editor

Aug. 28, 2007

Cultural Festival | Film Festival | Winners and Washouts | Photo Gallery

Photo by Joe Nguyen Members of the Yoko Hiraoka Japanese Music Ensemble perform at the Boulder Asian Festival Aug. 18 at the Pearl Street Mall.

BOULDER – Pan-Asian souvenirs, cuisine and entertainment filled the 13th Boulder Asian Festival Aug. 18-19 at the Pearl Street Mall.

Thousands of patrons passed through the pedestrian mall to take in performances at the main stage and shop at the many retail booths. For the first time, the Boulder Asian Pacific Alliance's annual cultural festival coincided with its annual film festival.

“Because we combined the film festival and the cultural festival at the same time, we're hoping for a bigger turnout,” BAPA member Brenda Pearson said.

Pearson said that because the organization is small, it was difficult to muster the manpower to do both. This year, there were 15-20 volunteers who helped during the weekend, she added.

“We've had the film festival at the library, we've had it at the dairy center,” she said. “But I think having it downtown within the immediate area ... helps draw people to both of them at the same time.”

Although many attended the festival, some shops said sales were lower than usual.

“(Business is) not really good,” said Tharchin Bhota, a helper at the Tibetan Sisters Arts booth. “A lot of people, they just come in, ask the price, and say, 'I'll come back.'”

Near the performance stage, there were a number of nonprofit organization booths.

“There are not that many festivals that are specifically Asian,” said Carey Tanaka, director of behavioral health care services at the Asian Pacific Development Center. “That's our targeted population, so we're here.”

When the festival ended, the members of BAPA have to begin preparing for next year, Pearson said. On the list is whether they'll combine the two festivals again next year.

“We'll do an evaulation at the end of this session and see if it was worth doing it the other way or doing it together,” said Aya Mariagnes Medrud, a member of BAPA.

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief of AsiaXpress.com. Joe can be contacted via e-mail at joe@asiaxpress.com.