The Virginia Tech community will celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, April 1-30.

Typically recognized throughout the United States in the month of May, Virginia Tech celebrates the Asian and Pacific Islander culture in April in order to provide educational and entertainment programs for students before they leave campus for summer break. This year’s theme is “Inspiration Through Cultural Exploration.”

Highlights of the month-long celebration include a presentation by life and dating coach Vanae Tran called “VT at VT” (Vanae Tran at Virginia Tech), sponsored by the Asian American Student Union. The event will take place at 7 p.m. April 6 in the Graduate Life Center Auditorium, followed by a reception at 8 p.m. at the Multicultural Center in Squires Student Center.

There will also be cultural events throughout the month, including “Chinabration 2010,” the Vietnamese Student Association Culture Show, and the Filipino American Student Association’s Culture Night. These programs highlight Asian Pacific American culture through student performances, including skits, fashion shows, song, and traditional and modern dance.

For more information on these events, or to view the month’s complete calendar of events, visit Multicultural Programs and Services online or contact Kristen Swanson Houston at (540) 231-6023. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

For events at the Graduate Life Center, free parking is available in the Squires Lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street, or the Architecture Annex Lot also on Otey Street. For events in Squires Student Center, free parking is available in the Squires Lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street, or the Shultz Hall Lot, located off Alumni Drive near the North Main Street campus entrance. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.

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