Asia North 2023
ASIA NORTH 2023
May 5 – June 3
Various locations throughout the Station North Arts District
Celebrate Baltimore’s Charles North – Station North – neighborhood’s constantly evolving identities as a Koreatown, arts district, and creative hub. Co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.
Location Info
Motor House, 120 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
The Parlor, 108 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Kong Pocha, 12 W 20th St, Baltimore, MD 21218
The Bank, 1901 North Charles St, Baltimore Maryland 21218
The Crown, 1910 North Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Alex El Dahdah, What Do You Remember About the Future
Exhibition
TRANSITION/TRANSformation/TRANScendence
Friday, May 5 — Saturday, June 3
The Parlor and Motor House
APIMEDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi American) artists based in Maryland, DC and Virginia creatively share how they face a world constantly in flux. Explore how this community transitions, transforms and transcends in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, toxic environments and relationships, losing loved ones, and more. Through artwork and research from AA&CC’s Greater Baltimore Asian Community History Project, this exhibit honors the exciting transition of the Parlor from a former funeral home to a vibrant arts hub, the Station North neighborhood's transformation from a historic Koreatown to a diverse arts district, and our TRANS and LGBTQ+ neighbors who continue to confront and transcend discrimination.
Featured Artists
Xiaosheng Bi, Lisa Golightly Braden, Soni, Alex El Dahdah, Wenqing Gu, Ashling Han, Margaret Huey, Sarah Jung, Bo Kim, Chang-il Kim, Wanjin Kim, Ara Ko, Jinyoung Koh, Anila Kumari, Eunyoung Leah Lee, Sunjin Leaa Lee, Kisook Lee-Suss, Michelle Li, Brenton Lim, Yafei Liu, Nipun Manda, Mika J. Nakano, Nadia Nazar, William Okaily, Sookkyung Park, Daria Parsa, Jamee Pineda, Samantha Sethi, Hannah Shaw, Asma Shikoh, Nahid Tootoonchi, Monica Youn
Gallery hours
The Parlor: Friday — Saturday @ 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Motor House: Tuesday — Thursday @ 4:00 – 11:00 PM | Friday — Saturday @ 4:00 PM – Midnight
Lion Dancers at the Opening of Asia North 2022
Opening Event
ASIA NORTH 2023
Friday, May 5 @ 5:00 PM, Program begins @ 6:00 PM
Motor House and The Parlor
Celebrate the kick-off of Asia North 2023 with the featured artists, performances, light refreshments, and The Modern Bangaray Speakeasy by Bangaray Baltimore. Meet the artists featured in TRANSition/TRANSformation/TRANScendence. Enjoy performances by Hee Kyung Lee Dance Company, Hyejin Kim, Yong Han Lion Dancers, and Ashling Han with Yoonjun Lee, Sang-ah Choi, and Jihyeuk Choi. Enjoy Korean food by Brown Rice and The Modern Barangay Speakeasy by Barangay Baltimore featuring DJ Mmrs and drinks from r.bar. Opening remarks by Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott. Hosted by Dami Soh Schlobohm. Presented with the Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee and Korean American Foundation – Greater Washington.
5 p.m.: Exhibit opens at the Motor House and The Parlor. The Modern Barangay Speakeasy opens at The Parlor. Exhibit (at the Motor House and The Parlor) and speakeasy (at The Parlor) remain open until 9:00 pm
6:15 p.m.: Welcoming Remarks at The Parlor from Central Baltimore Partnership, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and the Asian Arts & Culture Center
6:30 p.m.: Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe procession to the Motor House
6:50 p.m.: Performances by Hee Kyung Lee Dance Company and Dr. Hyejin Kim at the Motor House
7:10 p.m.: Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe procession to The Parlor
7:30 p.m.: Performance art by Ashling Han with Yoonjun Lee, Sang-ah Choi, and Jihyeuk Choi at The Parlor
7:50 - 9 p.m.: Exhibit (at the Motor House and The Parlor) and The Modern Barangay Speakeasy (at The Parlor) remain open until 9 p.m.
Improv
A++
Saturday, May 6, 8 p.m.
Baltimore Improv Group
Why over-achieve when you can over-over-achieve? Watch Baltimore’s all-Asian indie team A++ grapple with their perfectionism using improv comedy, an art renowned for its imperfection. Come ready to laugh and ready to give them the validation their parents didn’t.
Improv
Late Night with a Foolish Boy
Saturday, May 6, 9 p.m.
Baltimore Improv Group
Too late for coffee, but not too late for comedy! Join Jake Joseph for some late night laughs as he hosts ‘Late Night With a Foolish Boy.’ This fully improvised show will feature a cast full of PIT-izens you know and love! So what are you waiting for? Stop by for some late night bits and goofs!
Social Hour
NAAAP Baltimore 2nd Thursdays
Thursday, May 11 @ 6:00 PM
Kong Pocha
Celebrates Kong Pocha in Baltimore’s historic Koreatown as a regional anchor of the Asian and Pacific Islander American community. Socialize with Asian American professionals, hear from local leaders, and learn about upcoming events and opportunities.
Discover & Dine
Kamayan Feast SOLD OUT
Friday, May 12 @ 6:00 PM
The Parlor and Motor House
Limited Tickets Available SOLD OUT
Enjoy a communal Filipino feast where food is artfully laid out atop banana leaves in the middle of a long banquet table. "Kamay" literally translates to "hand" in this traditional Filipino practice of eating with your hands. Participating caterers include Frisco Baltimore, Mama Rosa Grill, Barkada Breads, Ovenbird Bakery and Kuya Nonoy. Presented with Barangay Baltimore.
Makers Market
Asia north 2023
Saturday, May 13 @ 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Motor House
By us and for us from all over the Asian diaspora, the Asia North 2023 Makers Market highlights and showcases local APIMEDA artists/makers and their goods. Connect and resonate with others in a season of transition through community care, cultural work, and crafts. Goods featured include art prints, jewelry, pottery, home goods, and much more.
Short Film Screening + Discussion
Alex El Dahdah's “Āh”
Saturday, May 13, 7pm
The Parlor
View a short film and video art by Alex El Dahdah. Reflect on some of the struggles and challenges faced by many gay and queer Asians in the past, and consider how some of these problems are driving forces behind hate crimes, forced immigration/displacement, and trauma still experienced today.
Improv
Asian Af
Friday, May 19, 9 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, 8 p.m.
Baltimore Improv Group
ASIAN AF (Asian As F***) is the premier Asian American variety show at the UCB Theatre in Los Angeles and New York. Asian AF spotlights the best Asian American actors, stand-up comedians, improvisers, sketch performers, musicians, storytellers, and more. The show has been featured on several news sites such as The New York Times, LA Times, NBC News, ABC News, Vulture, SCPR, and more. Asian AF has performed with guests including Margaret Cho, Ken Jeong, Randall Park, Fred Armisen, Awkwafina, Bowen Yang, Simu Liu, Ronny Chieng, Danny Pudi, Kelly Marie Tran, Joel Kim Booster, Jameela Jamil, and more.
Hideo, Image Courtesy of the Artist
Exhibition
Three Patterns
Saturday, May 20 — Sunday, May 21
The Bank
TICKETS (REQUIRED)
Presented by OTS Productions
Three Patterns is divided into three stories: “Possessed”, “The Sacred Hex”, and “Hellbond”, which include themes of Suffering, Ritual, and Spirituality. The exhibition features work by 11 artists from New York, Baltimore, Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and more: Setsuhi Shiraishi, Azumi OE, Hideo, Lucia Li, Hsiao Chu Hsia, Tedd Henn, Saskia Kahn, Van Ngo, Miki, Jia Le Ling, and Dami Soh Schlobohm.
Gallery Hours
Saturday, May 20 @ 6:30 – 10:30 PM
Sunday, May 21 @ 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Opening Party
Three Patterns
Saturday, May 20 @ 6:30 PM
The Bank
TICKETS (REQUIRED)
Presented by OTS Productions
Performances by Lucia Li, Hideo, and Hsiao Chu Hsia. Food by Paul Chen. Hosted by Miki.
After Party
Three Patterns
Saturday, May 20 @ 11:00 PM
The Crown
TICKETS (REQUIRED)
Presented by OTS Productions
Ft. DJ Fundad
Closing Event
Three Patterns
Sunday, May 21 @ 1:00 PM
The Bank
TICKETS (REQUIRED)
Presented by OTS Productions
Artist Talk w/ Q&A on the project w/ Lucia Li, Hsiao Chu Hsia, Hideo, and Miki @ 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Performance & Panel Discussion
LGBTQIA(sian): Staged Readings of Queer Asian Plays
Thursday, June 1 @ 7:00 PM
The Parlor
Features rehearsed and staged readings of plays by Queer Asian playwrights who are making important contributions to contemporary American theatre with stories that shine light on the diversity of the Asian community. Directed by Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi, TU Adjunct Professor at the Department of Theatre Arts. Readings will be followed by a moderated conversation between the audience and a panel of Asian art-makers on the themes, issues, and concerns explored in the plays.
Xing Dance Student Group
Closing Event
Asia north 2023
Friday, June 2 @ 5:00 PM
Motor House and The Parlor
Celebrate the conclusion of Asia North 2023. Congratulate the artists featured in TRANSition/TRANSformation/TRANScendence. Enjoy performances by Xing Dance Theatre, Dami Soh Schlobohm, Nen Daiko, and Tvameva. Enjoy Chinese food.
Bibimbap Bowl
Walking Tour
Historic Koreatown Food & Landmarks
Saturday, June 3 @ 3:00 PM
Meet at The Parlor
REGISTER (REQUIRED)
Join a walking tour of the Charles North neighborhood’s historical Koreatown landmarks and favorite food spots. Learn the stories behind dishes such as Korean BBQ, Bibimbap, and rice cakes. Watch a Korean cooking demonstration and taste a sampling of Korean food. Presented with the Baltimore Changwon Sister City Committee and Korean American Foundation – Greater Washington.
Thank You to Our Supporters
Asia North 2023 partners and sponsors include TU Asian Arts & Culture Center, Central Baltimore Partnership, Station North Arts District, Motor House, The Parlor, Maryland State Arts Council, William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, Johns Hopkins University, Citizens of Baltimore County, Baltimore Changwon Sister City Committee, Korean American Foundation – Greater Washington, OTS Productions, Barangay Baltimore, Baltimore Xiamen Sister City Committee, Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee, NAAAP Baltimore, and Baltimore Improv Group.
Background
Asia North celebrates the arts and Asian culture that are defining characteristics of Baltimore’s Charles North neighborhood, part of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.
Inaugurated in spring 2019, Asia North is a collaborative community celebration that recognizes, showcases, and honors the art, culture and the Asian heritage of Greater Baltimore, especially the Korean history of Baltimore’s Charles North community.
The Asian Arts & Culture Center co-produces events with the Central Baltimore Partnership, and multiple community partners.
Asia North logo and graphics by Mika Nakano