October 2, 2000

The University of Connecticut will celebrate Asian American Heritage Observance, usually recognized in October, over a period of three months this year, with a concert, fashion show and several lectures focusing on the theme "Look@Asian America.Now." The events will explore how Asian Americans are creating their own images of themselves in visual and fine art, media and film.

In the opening event on Oct. 5, Jessica Hagedorn, performance artist and author of Dogeaters & The Gangster of Love, will discuss her work and show some of her animated television series, The Pink Palace, at 4 p.m. in the William Benton Museum of Art.

A conference at the Legislative Building in Hartford, Pakistan's Role for Peace in South Asia, will be a highlight of the observance. U.S. Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-Conn.), U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn), state Sen. Mary Ann Handley, Ambassador Malecha Lodhi of Pakistan, Ghulam Nabi Fai, director of the Kashmiri American Council, and faculty from UConn, Boston College, Boston University, Trinity College and Loyola University, will participate in the conference on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Other events include:

Oct. 10 - Lecture. Artist Robert Kairschbaum, Trinity College, will talk about his travels in India and their influence on his work at 5 p.m., in Room 106, School of Fine Arts.

Oct. 24 - Concert. Asian American Jazz. Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer creates original and powerful music drawn from South Asian and African American traditions: 8 p.m., von der Mehden Recital Hall.

Oct. 30 - Election 2000 Symposium. Ronald Walter, University of Maryland, and Frank Wu, Howard University, will explore political issues that affect African and Asian Americans in this year's election: 4 p.m., Dodd Center Auditorium.

Nov. 1 - Lecture. Anjali Arondekar, Smith College, will comment upon the controversies surrounding Deepa Mehta's film FIRE: noon, Room 386, Student Union.

Nov. 13-18 - Indian Awareness Week. A week of daily events, culminating in a Diwali Celebration in the Rome Commons Ballroom. Call (860) 486-0830 for more information.

Nov. 28 - Book Club. Presenting Hawaiian-born Rahna Reiko Rizutto and her debut novel, Why She Left Us: location and time TBA. Dec. 3 - Cultural Fashion Show. 8 p.m., Student Union Ballroom.

Amanda Robustelli