FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: April 15, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Saunders

(845) 574-4244

Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebrated at SUNY Rockland Community College

Program kicks-off with free Chinese Calligraphy demonstration on Thursday, April 17

Suffern, NY - SUNY Rockland Community College kicks-off Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a free Chinese brush painting and calligraphy demonstration with audience participation.

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important anniversaries: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869). In 1992, Congress expanded the 10-day observance to a month-long celebration.

The College celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month from mid-April to mid-May each year to accommodate student final exams. Events include:

Date/Time: Thursday, April 17, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Event: Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration
Location: Cultural Arts Center, Room 7200A, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
Description: Two Chinese artists, Jeffrey Lou and Xiaoping Liu, will demonstrate the art of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. The audience is invited to participate in the cultural activities. Refreshments will be served.
Admission: Free and open to the public
More Info: Contact Dr. Liya Li, Associate Professor, English, 845-574-4733, lli@sunyrockland.edu or Don Iannucci, Professor, Art, 845-574-4239 diannucc@sunyrockland.edu

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Event: Celebrating Japanese Arts
Location: Cultural Arts Theater, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
Description: Experience the beauty of Japanese dance, music, and other customs. Refreshments will be served.
Admission: Free and open to the public
More Info: Contact Dr. Liya Li, Associate Professor, English, 845-574-4733, lli@sunyrockland.edu

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Event: Being Rapanui: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Location: Student Union, Room 3214, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
Description: Mr. Santi Hitorangi will make a presentation on the Rapanui people by showing the short film, "Bing Rapanui," which is about Easter Island, and he will discuss the life of the Rapanui people beyond their mysterious statues. Refreshments will be served.
Admission: Free and open to the public
More Info: Contact Dr. Liya Li, Associate Professor, English, 845-574-4733, lli@sunyrockland.edu

Date/Time: Monday, May 5, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Event: Classical Chinese Gardens
Location: Technology Center, Room 8349, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
Description: Stroll through the classical gardens of Suzhou with Dr. Liya Li, Associate Professor, English. She will share with you stories and symbolisms of Chinese aesthetics. Refreshments will be served.
Admission: Free and open to the public
More Info: Contact Dr. Liya Li, 845-574-4733, lli@sunyrockland.edu

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 6, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (Musical Performance), 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Reception)
Event: Gamelan Performance by Barbara Benari and others
Location: Performance: Student Union, Room 3124; Reception: Student Union, Room 3217
Description: Traditional Indonesian music performed by well-known musician Barbara Benari and her colleagues. Refreshments will be served.
Admission: Free and open to the public
More Info: Contact Dr. Liya Li, Associate Professor, English, 845-574-4733, lli@sunyrockland.edu

Date/Time: Monday, May 12, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Event: Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration Book Discussion
Location: Technology Center, Writing Center, Room 8349, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
Description: Reamy Jansen, Professor, English, essayist and literary critic, will lead the
Discussion of The New York Times bestselling novel, “The Namesake,” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Refreshments will be served.
Admission: For Rockland Community College faculty and staff
More Info: Don Iannucci, Professor, Art, 845-574-4239 diannucc@sunyrockland.edu

For general information about Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, contact Co-Chairs Dr. Liya Li, Associate Professor, English, 845-574-4733, lli@sunyrockland.edu or Martha Rottman, Assistant Professor, English, 845-574-4166, mrottman@sunyrockland.edu. For more information about RCC, visit: www.sunyrockland.edu

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.