MAINSTAGE SHOWCASE
"I felt that even in the bodies of those born and raised in the United States, there is a physicality deeply rooted in the lands where their ancestors once lived—something that has been inherited and still lives on today. To share history through such bodies, and to express it through dance, carries profound meaning. In a country like the United States, where so many people come from immigrant backgrounds, these stories are vital and must be passed down. I truly hope they lead to peaceful coexistence." - Kanako I, audience member of AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
"Attending the MainStage showcase was such a gift, for which I am so thankful. I am so grateful to the choreographers who shared their stories that were so beautiful, personal, but relatable. They evoked such strong emotions that still have me reflecting on my parents' journeys on how that has shaped mine. Thank you for the hard work that you put into this dance festival. When I was growing up, there weren’t opportunities like this. I’m thankful I was able to share this experience with my family now as it has opened up opportunities for discussion." - Joy L, audience member of AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
"I loved the entire performance, particularly Christopher K Morgan's piece and Joyce Lien Kushner's piece. The embrace of ancestral history, presence, and ceremonial honoring in each piece was potent and moving. I was deeply touched by the authentic emotions that flowed from some of the dancers at the end of Joyce's piece as they sat with palms embracing incense sticks in front framed photos of their ancestors, bowing, again and again honoring their matriarchal lineages." - Jane B, audience member of AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
"I was amazed at the professional level of the dancers. I was not expecting that. Hearing about the immigrant experience wasn't new, but the way in which the personal stories were presented was very moving and created a more personal connection. This needs to be shared with a wider audience. Your message and the way it is conveyed is very powerful and as many people as possible need to be exposed to it." - Elizabeth B, audience member of AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
"I loved the personal stories, especially those highlighting the difficulties facing 3rd and 4th generation Asian-American people. It was an eye-opening experience for me." - Martha H, audience member of AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
"Beautiful dance showcases representative of so many cultures! Loved the film and thought that was another unique way to show dance." - Lauren G, audience member of AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
"The Mainstage Showcase really felt like a culmination of a long process of hard work, reflection, and inquiry. More than anything, I am grateful for the community of people that I got the chance to meet and work with. It was a beautiful evening, and I felt so held by both artists and audience members alike." - Lauren L, dancer in “bài bài 拜拜” at AADF2025 Mainstage Showcase
DANCE FILM SCREENING
"The venue was amazing. It was my first time visiting the Mingei [International Museum] and I was so impressed by the space, so much so that I visited again the following week and the exhibits were so nice. Loved the format of the event where we watched back to back art pieces. Each had their own style and story. Defintely learned new styles of dance and poetry. My view of dance certainly changed as I saw storytelling through movement. I'm Samoan so storytelling through dance is nothing new, however no words are ever spoken in our "siva". That was something cool to see in the Mingei where the dancers were actively telling us their story and moving at the same time. The diaspora is so talented and unique, I really appreciated seeing the art vary from person to person." - Teuila M, audience member of AADF2025 Dance Film Screening
COLLABORATIVE RESIDENCY
“I've been kind of finding, trying to find this sense of home for a very long time, and in creating this work, I didn't realize how sad I was for so long. And so I was learning that I I'm sorry, I was learning that through making this dance. I was learning that about myself…” - Ian Isles, resident of AADF2025 Collaborative Residency
“I think the main thing that I took away, especially during this dance residency, is that my community is larger than I thought it would be. This dance residency was for Asian American Pacific Islanders, and I didn't think, or I questioned if Indian Americans fit into that category. Growing up, I always saw that the Indian subcontinent is separated from Asia, and we look a lot different from what people would think Asians look like. So when I joined this dance residency, that was my main question - is this correct to join this Asian American Pacific Islander residency. But the thing that brings us all together is our culture and our history, and a lot of us have these beautiful stories to tell. Coming here, we formed this community, and for the first time, I realize that I do belong as part of this community, and this community is huge, and it's very accepting.” - Smrithi Suresh, resident of AADF2025 Collaborative Residency
“This community of AAPI, even beyond or within that circle, is larger than I also imagined. I come from North Carolina, and I just moved to the west coast a year and a half ago, and just to be around and surrounded by a community of people like me was both overwhelming but very comforting as well. Then when I was brought into the residency, I knew that this work is important - being who I am and owning it, and to bring that forward to not only people like us, but beyond. It's really important, not only geographically on this side or other side of the United States, but globally as well - being heard, having our stories heard.” - Adie San Diego, resident of AADF2025 Collaborative Residency
