Intersperse among the harbor seals, California sea lions and life-like sculpture of a gigantic whale at The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is where the 7^th Annual Autumn Festival took place on November 1-2, 2008. The festival is a 2-day event that celebrates the diversity of Asian cultures including Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines.

For this year’s festivities, visitors were greeted by a smiling Chinese seniors dressed in glistening yellow authentic attire to promote this year’s Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Spectacular that takes place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on December 30, 2008-January 4, 2009. The celebration features dozens of dancers and musicians flowing in syncopated rhythms while dressed in vibrant, multi-colored costumes as they perform “ancient legends of virtue” with “modern tales of courage”. Michael Ye, a local promoter for the event, could not rave enough about the upcoming event that is both spellbinding in color and rich in Chinese culture.

Visitors were also offered an opportunity to learn about the history of the Kimkomi doll, a Japanese art form that originated over 200 years ago by a Shinto priest in Kyoto, Japan. A diverse array of silk-covered dolls made from sawdust of a paulownia tree and painted with porcelain-like crushed seashells were on display for visitors to see up close.

Children and adults alike were also given an opportunity of making origami birds, boxes and flowers presented by Origami Magic’s Joe, Yami and Michael. As children picked out their favorite color of paper, adults studied the folding techniques as Joe smiled and demonstrated with an expansive, accordion-like folded box that expanded to several feet in length. There were also other crafts including Teresa Chen’s palm figurines, which are a traditional Chinese handicraft made of woven palm leaves. Her creations from insects to dragons were artful and life-like featuring fine details all the way down to the tip of the dragon’s nose. 

Outside at the Shark Lagoon was where the animated Art Nakane, who was a guest on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, performed his One Man Band as children played nearby. His animated musical talents are a sight to see as he attempts to play numerous musical instruments, but the music itself is a bit lacking but entertaining to say the least.

To liven things up a bit, the Samurai Action Studio members demonstrated an action-packed assortment of karate routines from knife attacks to sword battles, flipping one another onto the floor and clashing sticks together. The Mezclao Kwentong Tinoy also gave an energetic and modern musical and theatrical performance that explored a brief history of Filipino’s growing up in America. Their message of unity was poignant for today’s society where cultural lines are almost non-existent and the question, “Where are you from?” begs for the answer, “America.”

Although there was a lot being offered at this year’s festival, the heart and deeper meaning behind the event felt displaced as visitors toggled between exploring sea life and the Asian cultural events being offered. Hopefully next year’s festival will have a more localized presentation so as to make a greater impact and to offer the public a broader understanding of the diversity and richness of Asian cultures. 

For more information about future events taking place at The Aquarium of the Pacific, call (562)590-3100 or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.