Calling all AAPI dance artists...LET'S GATHER!
AADF Gatherings are an ongoing series of networking events for AAPI dance artists of all genres and roles - choreographers, performers, teachers, educators, presenters, and advocates of ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, hip hop, cultural dance forms, etc. Gatherings provide dance artists the opportunity to come together, make connections, share stories and experiences, learn from one another, and develop shared resources in a community rich setting.
Each AADF Gathering focuses on a different activity, topic, or need of the community.
PREVIOUS GATHERINGS
AADF2026 April Gathering
The Road to Sydney - SDAFF Spring Showcase
Friday, April 24th | 7:00pm
Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley
7510 Hazard Center Dr. #100, San Diego, CA 92108
In April, we gathered at the San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase for the screening of The Road to Sydney. Watch the recap video to see all the new friends we made!
Selected as the festival's opening night film, The Road to Sydney is an emotional documentary about master choreographer Sydney Loyola, chronicling her journey from the Philippines to the San Francisco Bay area as a trans artist. San Diego filmmakers Benito Bautista and Emma Francisco bring us a cinematic film filled with beautiful choreography, while delving into the intersection of culture, family, and trans queerness.
🏆2026 Pinoy Rebyu Award, Best Feature Documentary, 2026 DisOrient Asian American Film Festival
AADF was a co-presenter of The Road to Sydney.
AADF2026 March Gathering
Community Photoshoot Sessions
Sunday, March 29th
11am-3pm
Drip Creative Studio
5111 Santa Fe Street, Ste DEF, San Diego, CA 92109
We teamed up with Drip Creative Studio to host mini photoshoot sessions in their Studio Sol room, offering headshots, and dance/movement shots to our San Diego dance and movement community. Check out the fun in our recap video!
Photographer - HANA TOBIAS
Hana is a professional photographer, experienced in capturing both portrait and dance/movement. She has photographed multiple events around San Diego, including AADF2025! Check out Hana's website and portfolio - https://www.hanatobias.com/
Studio space and lighting were generously donated by DRIP Creative Studio, so that all proceeds could pay for the photographer.
AADF2025 December Gathering
Saturday, December 6th
4pm-6pm
transcenDANCE
5700 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
Come join us for our first AADF Gathering! Meet AADF’s co-directors Joyce Lien Kushner and grace shinhae jun, learn about 2026 happenings, and meet fellow AAPI dance artists.
Schedule of Events:
- Drinks, snacks & mingling
- Greetings & purpose of AADF Gatherings
- Ice breaker activity
- Low down of all the exciting AADF2026 events & projects:
- AADF2026 Winter Symposium
- AADF2026 Residency, Internship & Fellowship program
- AADF2026 Festival
- Volunteer opportunities & ways to get involved
- Community Suggestions - an opportunity to tell us what you'd like to get out of AADF Gatherings. We've got some ideas, but we want to hear from you!
Our 2026 Partners & Sponsors
New AADF2026 logo merch is here!
Introducing our new AADF2026 merch graphic, now available on sweatshirts, tank tops, water bottles, phone cases and more! All proceeds help fund AADF2026 programming and artists.