Queer AF, Movies on the Common and Asian Festival among local happenings
The Asian Festival, sponsored by the Southeast Asian Coalition, is a colorful celebration of roughly a dozen Asian countries, including India, Cambodia, China, Korea, Japan, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal and the Philippines. In past installments, Vietnamese ao dai dresses and conical no la hats, Indian saris and Japanese kimonos could be seen among the crowd, and Worcester Youth Nian Dancers dancers leaped from the stage and cavorted among the guests. Thai folk dancers skipped over clacking bamboo poles. At the table of the Central Massachusetts Chinese Language School, visitors practiced writing Chinese letters on rice paper while children colored dragons. This year’s event promises to be just as spectacular. The 20th annual Asian Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. June 18 at the Worcester State University Wellness Center, 486 Chandler St., Worcester. Admission is free.
Queer AF is kickstarting its 2023 season – which culminates Sept. 8 with the Queer AF: Art+Fashion show – with a model search and community gathering from 6 to 9 p.m. June 15 at the White Room, 138 Green St., Worcester. The Queer AF: Art+Fashion show, now in its fourth year, has been dubbed “the Met Gala of Massachusetts,” and its 2022 inaugural event, hosted by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Peppermint, was a bona fide hit. Queer AF is a fundraiser for Love Your Labels, a Worcester-based organization that supports LGBTQIA+ youth as they explore their identity and expression through art, fashion, and design. "Creating safe and supportive communities means ensuring acceptance, affirmation, and accessible.” Joshua Croke, President and co-founder of Love Your Labels and co-lead of the Queer AF planning committee, says, "In our advocacy for human and civil rights, we must center joy — the joy of community and the joy within ourselves. Queer AF and Pride events go beyond celebrating queerness. They embrace the essence of queer joy and resilience. In a world where many of us are unjustly denied love and happiness, sharing LGBTQ+ stories and standing up for our basic human rights becomes vital and transformative work." The June 15 event will feature a runway walk workshop, cash bar and space to mix and mingle.
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Movies on the Common returns June 15, kicking off with “Comedy Night” with a screening of the comedy classic, “Napoleon Dynamite.” The event will also feature also feature a variety of pre-movie activities at every event, including comedy, caricature artists, music, face painting and local food. Perhaps the most exciting attraction is that local comedian Tom Dwyer will present the trailer for the new, "Hollywoo.” Dwyer plays an actor caught in a scandal who is forced to return home to Worcester. According to IMDB, the show also features appearances by numerous local comedians, including Orlando Baxter, Shaun Connolly, Brian Glowacki and Jimmy Cash. Movies on the Common will be shown on the Worcester Common, behind City Hall. Pre-movie activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and all movies will start at dusk. English closed captioning will be available. Attendees are encouraged to come early for their choice of seating. Space is first come, first served. Bring your own blankets and chairs or use seating available on the Common. Refreshments can be purchased on-site, at one of the downtown restaurants, or people are welcome to bring their own. The first 100 attendees will receive free popcorn, and the first 50 attendees will also receive a free food/drink voucher to use at one of the on-site food vendors.
This article used earlier Telegram & Gazette and Worcester Magazine reporting from Meg Trogolo, Richard Duckett and Mark Sullivan.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Don't Miss Events: Queer AF, Movies on the Common and Asian Festival
