Irvine is an ideal Southern California city for visitors wanting to participate in events and activities that celebrate the Asian culture and heritage. The U.S. Census data from 2008 lists the city's population of more than 200,000 as 36 percent Asian. There are several local institutions that celebrate Asian culture.
UC Irvine
The University of California, Irvine, is a large public university that is home to nearly 27,000 students. Of these, 52 percent are Asian. The university has several academic programs and student clubs that celebrate Asian cultures. The Department of Asian American Studies, the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and the Cross Cultural Center host guest speakers several times a year and these appearances are open to the public.
Student groups, such as the Chinese Association, host annual events that are also open to the public. Chinese Association members celebrate their ethnic heritage by performing cultural dances and skits at their annual Culture Night event.
Irvine Chinese School
The Irvine Chinese School serves more than 1,000 students who are enrolled in kindergarten through high school. It also offers adult education classes. You can take classes on Chinese language and culture or participate in Chinese painting, crafts, performing arts and even a Chinese chess club. The school hosts annual Chinese New Year festivities that are open to the public.
Pao Fa Temple
Irvine's Pao Fa Buddhist Temple offers a place to study Buddhism, practice the religion and meditate. Local and visiting devotees are welcome. You can take classes on Buddhism and on the Chinese language at the temple. The temple also offers an annual summer camp for children. Meals and social mingling follow its worship services in its cafeteria.
Tet Festival
Each year, the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California hosts a Tet Festival in Irvine to mark the Lunar New Year and the beginning of spring. You can enjoy Vietnamese foods, watch dance performances and learn about Vietnamese customs. There are contests in Chinese chess and Vietnamese floral arrangement, singing, drawing and even a Vietnamese spelling bee. The 2011 festival will be held on February 4 to 6. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children shorter than four feet, as of 2010.
