Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, also known as AAPI Month in the U.S. and Asian Heritage Month in Canada, is a celebration recognizing the contributions and influence of these cultural groups. Vancouver is currently hosting events in honour of this month, and we’ve rounded up some for you to check out. 

So here are our top 4 picks:

Just For Laughs

JFL deals us a great hand this May. There are some hilarious comedians in tow including queer L.A based writer, actor and funnny guy Joel Kim Booster of NBC’s Sunnyside (who stars alongside Kal Penn), and Atsuko Okatsuka who was dubbed “Comedian to Watch” by online culture magazine, Vulture in 2018.

They’re on May 25 and May 27, get tickets here.

Asian Takeover at Hollywood Theatre 

Women comedians are taking the stage at Hollywood Theatre next week, featuring Julie Kim who had a stint on Kim’s Convenience; Irene Tu who has been on Viceland and worked with South Asian favourite Aparna Nancherla; Tokyo-born Yumi Nagashima; and Andrea Jin, whose album Grandma’s Girl received a nomination for Comedy Album of the Year for this year’s Juno Awards. 

Happening on May 20, buy tickets here. 

Ikebana Spring Show

On Saturday and Sunday May 14 and 15, The Roundhouse Community Arts Centre is hosting  the Ikebana Spring Show, which focuses on Japanese flower arranging as an art form.

The event is free to visit, with workshops at $25, find out more here. 

Cross Cultural Walking Tours Lunch and Learn

Cross Cultural Walking Tours and the Knowledge Network are offering screenings of  British Columbia: An Untold Story which is based on Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Punjabi, Black and European stories at Hon Hsing Athletic Club later this month. There will also be a free lunch served by a local caterer during the break. 

The event will take place on May 29 from morning-afternoon, with a limited 50-seat capacity, grab a by-donation ticket here.