Upcoming AARC Events
- Morning Glories at Waterloo Greenway • Tuesday 5/7 • 10AM-11AM
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Join the AARC out in the community for a storytime during Waterloo Greenway's Morning Glories on May 7th, from 10AM to 11AM. Local writer, Vyasar Ganesan will lead a reading of Like a Dandelion by Huy Voun Lee. Like a Dandelion is a poetic tribute to the bravery of immigrants and refugees, inspired by the author’s childhood experience of moving to the United States from Cambodia. Address: 1301 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701. Learn more at waterloogreenway.org.
- CelebrASIA Austin • Saturday 5/18 • 11AM - 3PM
RSVP on Eventbrite or Facebook
Sign up to volunteerThe City of Austin's Asian American Resource Center (AARC) is hosting its annual CelebrASIA Austin event, featuring performances, art, culture, food, and more! This free, family-friendly festival will take place during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 11am to 3pm.
The main stage will be indoors in the AARC ballroom, with special performances from a wide range of groups, including Heavenly Dragon Lion Dance Association, Austin Kyudo, KhushATX, QiLi Dance, Austin Uri Karak Dance Group, FASCA, Austin Moonflower Performing Arts Group, Senior Bollywood Dance Group, and Saloni Dance Group.
The AARC’s classrooms will be transformed into cultural experience rooms, where you can immerse in hands-on cultural experiences. This year’s cultural experience rooms will be curated by the following groups:
- Austin Hong Kongers - The Hong Kong XR Museum will use AR technology to create a visually engaging environment that brings to life the traditions and heritage of Hong Kong.
- Indonesian Diaspora Network of Greater Austin - Learn more about the Kebaya, traditionally worn by Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese women and now considered a national costume in Indonesia.
- Natayla School of Dance - Join in and learn more about Bharathanaytam, a type of South Asian classical dance that uses a combination of intricate movements to tell stories.
- Austin Japanese Minyo Group - Experience Japanese culture and heritage, and learn more about the traditions of origami, kimono, anime, matcha, and more.
- AARC’s Teen Mentorship Program - This year, the AARC brought together teens and mentors from across Austin for the first time. Drop by to hear more from program participants and check out their capstone project!
Doors open at 11am and performances will begin at 11:30. Food will be available from local vendors, including Bake 'n Bite ATX, Lotus Creamery, Sharetea, Tsaocaa Austin, and Mama Kong Cambodian. There will also be other tables and activities provided by community organizations like Asian Family Support Services of Austin, Austin Community College, Austin Queer Asians, Indie Meme, Network of Asian American Organizations and more.
This is an indoor-outdoor event, so please dress accordingly. The AARC parking lot will only be available for ADA parking.
UPDATE: There will not be shuttles available from the other parking lots, but there will be a drop off area at the North entrance to the AARC parking lot. The 1520 Rutherford Lane lot is closest to the center and approximately a 5 minute walk away. Additional parking will also be available at 8700 and 8900 Cameron Road (Austin Transportation Dept).
If you need more information, email us at aarc@austintexas.gov.
- Hyphenated Book Club • Year Round • 6PM - 7:30PM
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The Hyphenated Book Club is back for a new year! Join fellow book lovers in the community to dive into works by Asian American authors. From new releases by emerging voices to beloved community favorites, fiction to non-fiction and everything in-between, explore the diversity of American literature from an Asian American lens. All meet ups are free and open to the public to attend. All sessions are hosted in person at the AARC. See below for Hyphenated's reading list and meet up dates. Learn more and RSVP at www.aarcatx.eventbrite.com.
- April 9 – 6PM-7:30PM - Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi
- June 4 – 6PM-7:30PM - They Called Us Exceptional and Other Lies that Raised Us by Prachi Gupta
- July 30 – 6PM-7:30PM - Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
- September 24– 6PM-7:30PM – Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.
- November 19 6PM-7:30PM – All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
- AARC Community & In House Exhibits • ONGOING • FREE
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The AARC’s Community Art Exhibit Program displays artworks year round that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity and creativity of Asian American Pacific Islanders. Exhibits are displayed on a quarterly schedule. Learn more by visiting: www.austintexas.gov/page/asian-american-resource-center-exhibits
- Ongoing Senior Programs
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AARC staff is excited to start offering limited wellness classes at the facility and continue virtual classes starting August 30th. To register, email us at AARC@austintexas.gov or contact us at 512-974-1700 for more information. Learn more about the current class schedule, how to register, and modified operational guidelines by visiting: www.austintexas.gov/page/aarc-senior-programming
Current programming includes:
- Tai Chi with Mr. Huang
- Gentle Chair Yoga with Patti
- Ping Pong
- Senior Garden Group
- Tai Chi with Vince Cobalis or Gongxian
- Movement and Meditation
- ACC - ESL Classes • Tuesdays and Thursdays • 6PM - 9PM
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ACC's free ESL courses help non-native speakers learn basic English for college or the workplace, or simply to become more comfortable with everyday communication. Check the ESL Class Schedule to view a variety of days and times.
Current Contract Instructor Programs
The AARC is a public facility with free community rooms available for non-commercial usage and also includes rental spaces including the AARC Ballroom, Classrooms, Conference Room and Foyer available for public and private functions. The AARC is not responsible for the community rental and reservation events listed here.
The Calendar of Events provides a listing of events scheduled at the AARC. Only AARC sponsored events, confirmed rental events and public reservations are listed on the event calendar. Every attempt is made to provide accurate listings, but we cannot guarantee accuracy, service or quality of the listings presented due to unforeseen changes. While we strive to be up to date, the information provided may not always be the most recent information. To confirm availability of space for a rental booking, please contact AARC Rentals at AARCrentals@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-1698.