Destination Asia Festival returns to Morton Arboretum Sept. 25
Explore the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food, and more at Morton Arboretum in Lisle this weekend.
On Saturday, Sept. 25, the annual Destination Asia Festival will feature diverse cultural performances and demonstrations, various shopping and art vendors and local food trucks. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Meadow Lake Trail, Frost Hill, and Conifer path, near the Visitor Center. This event is included with Arboretum admission. Timed-entry admission is required in advance at mortonarb.org.
Food truck vendors, including Yum Dum Food Truck, Chicago Lunch Box Food Truck, and WisePak Foods Sushi Rolling, will be serving from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Arbor Court Stage will open with Asian folk music from Shobana at 9 a.m., followed by classical Asian fusion music by Hanauta Trio at 10 a.m. The Cambodian Ensemble and Crossing Border Music will perform at 11 a.m., and Akshaya Music Academy at noon. At 1 p.m., Friends of the Gamelan will play Indonesian Gamelan music, followed by Chicago Balinese Gamelan doing traditional Bali music and dance at 2 p.m. The Thai Cultural and Fine Arts Institute of Chicago will perform traditional dance pieces at 3 p.m.
Piyesta Pinoy will offer a traditional Philippine performance at 9:30 a.m. to open the Juniper Stage. Experience the beat of Japanese culture with the Tsukasa Taiko Drummers as they play traditional taiko drums at 10:30 a.m. Asian Improv aRts Midwest will demonstrate Shubukai dancing at 11:30 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., see Japanese Awaodori dancing with the Mikoren Group. Chicago Keikokai Meifu Shinkage Ryu will offer Japanese martial arts demonstrations at 1:30 p.m., followed by Japanese Shinkendo swordsmanship demonstrations at 2:30 p.m.
On the Picnic Area Stage, Kerry Leung will perform Chinese music at 9 a.m., followed by a Hindustani musical duet by Rajeswari McKearn at 10 a.m. The RAMETI Group will present an Indian musical performance at 11 a.m. At noon, the Chicago Koto Group, a Japanese ensemble group, will perform. Acharya Performing Arts Academy will put on an Indian dance program at 1 p.m. The American Mongolian Association will present Mongolian Morin khuur and throat singing at 2 p.m. It will wrap up with the Mandala South Asia Performing Arts hosting a Bollywood dance party at 3 p.m.
Did you know the Morton Arboretum has a vast tree and shrub collection from Asian countries? Explore their tree collections from China, Japan, and Korea and learn about the important conservation efforts with which the Arboretum participates.