Elgin hosts Asian Fusion celebration

East met Fox Saturday at the third annual Asian Fusion Festival in Elgin.

The cultural festival, held at the Hemmens Cultural Center, attracted more than 1,000 visitors from across the Chicago area.

Themed "Simply Asia: Avenue of the Cultural Performance," the festival celebrated 15 different Asian cultures -- from China to Laos to India to the Philippines.

Samahang Kapatid Illinois performed the Tinikling, a Filipino bamboo dance.

Students from Kim's Black Belt Academy in Elgin showed off their precise kicks, and the Indonesian Consulate of Chicago performed on Angklungs, flutelike instruments made out of bamboo.

Karen Rominski, owner of Emperor's Palace restaurant in South Elgin, brought a host of Chinese, Thai and Laotian dishes.

Along with crafts and jewelry displays, Elgin Community College's Asian Filipino Club hosted a booth.

Handing out buttons with the motto, "Asian by Association," club president Janis Devicais insisted Asian heritage isn't necessary to enjoy cultural offerings.

"It's not an us-and-them kind of thing," Devicais said. "Everyone can enjoy our traditions.

"We want people to come out, take it in," she added.

It took about 60 volunteers nearly a year to plan the event, said Aloun Khotisene, one of the lead organizers.

"We'll begin planning next year's festival pretty much right away," the Pingree Grove resident said.

"It's a huge amount of work, but it's worth it to see everything come together."