If you are in New York, this is one of the best ways to celebrate APA Heritage Month. To kick off New York’s celebration of the nationally recognized Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Coalition of Asian Pacific American (CAPA) in conjunction with local nonprofits and businesses, is sponsoring a Culture and Food Festival! The 30th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (at East 47th Street and 2nd Avenue) from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

The day long celebration of Asian Pacific American culture is the longest running and largest Pan Asian heritage festival on the East Coast. The festival is free and open to the public, including Asians and non-Asians alike who want to see, hear, taste, and interact with Asia America! They will be providing live performances and music for entertainment, as well as announcing exciting upcoming events for the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This event is ADP accessible and open to the general public.

Here’s a sampling of what you can expect for 2009:

Emcees: comedian Air Tabigue, comedian Jen Kwok, actor Alan Muraoka from Sesame Street, and actress Emily C. Chang

Headlining Performances include Bollywood Axion, Jack Lords, NYC Bhangra Club, P.I.C., Balam Dance Theater, Stone Forest Ensemble, Cobu, Alfa, Chinese American Arts Council (CAAC), Magnetic North, and Polynesian Dance Productions.

More details here.

Live broadcast of 2009 Asian Pacific Heritage Festival in NYC from 12pm to 6pm EST