PanAPIDA Circle

Celebrating and elevating APIDA voices in Centre County. Advocating inclusion, creating belonging.

PanAPIDA Circle is a local community group formed in April 2021. Our key goal is to elevate the voices, needs and concerns of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community of Centre County. We unite in response to rising anti-Asian hate and bias nationwide. We advocate for greater visibility, representation, and inclusion of APIDA experiences in education, government, and social and cultural realms. We celebrate APIDA joy and our diverse ways of knowing and living.

09/03/2026

Join the Penn State Dickinson Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic and the Borough of State College for "THE POWER OF NARRATIVES," a Welcoming Week conversation exploring the stories that shape society's understanding of immigration and the realities of navigating the legal immigration process.

Event Details
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 15th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Location: Borough of State College Municipal Bldg, 2nd floor, 243 S. Allen Street, State College, PA

Presented by the Borough of State College and the Penn State Center for Immigrants' Rights Clinic

https://dickinsonlaw.psu.edu/events/the-power-of-narratives

09/01/2026

Get your tickets now for the K-POP WARRIORS LIVE SHOW on Wednesday, September 9th!

Event Details
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 9th at 4pm and 6:30pm
Location: Blair County Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Dr, Altoona, PA
Tickets: $30 Adult, $20 Child

Experience an electrifying live experience packed with high-energy choreography, incredible visuals, music, dance, comedy, and your favorite K-pop inspired characters — all on ONE stage!

This interactive family show brings together music, dance, colorful characters, games, and unforgettable moments where kids become part of the action. They're not just watching — they'll be singing, dancing, cheering, and enjoying the excitement of a live performance!

Click on the link below to purchase your tickets online!
https://kpopwarriors-altoona-pa.eventbrite.com

08/30/2026

Japanese avant-garde artist YAYOI KUSAMA died on Friday, August 14th at the age of 97 years.

Kusama, who had voluntarily lived in a psychiatric hospital for decades, was known for her bright red wig and her giant, quirky creations.

Her exhibitions drew large crowds around the world, and her vibrant works fetched some of the highest ever prices for a female artist.

A statement from her company said: "Throughout an extraordinary lifetime devoted entirely to artistic creation, Kusama pursued an internationally acclaimed career as a pioneering avant-garde artist whose creative practice encompassed visual art, performance, fiction, and poetry."

Photos: Reuters, Getty Images

Read about Yayoi Kusama's early life and amazing career.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v4k0re3vwo

08/26/2026

Spotlight on "DEAR YOU" -- China’s second-highest-grossing film of the year. Already released in China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia, it will be released in the U.S.in September.

"Dear You" was shot mostly in Teochew, a dialect spoken in Guangdong's Shantou region, instead of the typical Mandarin dialect of movies made in China. Set among the Teochew immigrant community in Bangkok, it tells the story of people who left China in search of work to support their families.

The plot revolves around "qiaopi," remittance letters used by Chinese immigrants to send money and news back home. Many workers who could not read or write Chinese relied on their more educated colleagues to write the letters and read the replies.

The film provides a glimpse into the centuries-long history of Chinese migration to Southeast Asia. It has succeeded in making this little-discussed history visible to a wider audience, threading the fine needle of passing official censorship requirements, experts say, while telling a compelling story.

Learn more about how the decision to use the Teochew dialect made a very emotional impact on some of the viewers.
https://apnews.com/article/china-film-dear-you-immigration-teochew-e709353981863cd22e9bebfa6b6814dd

08/23/2026

Filipino theater icon LEA SALONGA makes history as the first Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The historic ceremony will take place on September 6th alongside the 2026 Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles. Salonga was selected for the honor in the live theater and live performance category.

In addition to her Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Salonga will receive the prestigious Icon Award at the festival's closing gala.

Photos: AsianFeed

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcT3fDBIMNA/?img_index=1

08/20/2026

On August 18th, McDonald's released a special HELLO KITTY X GODZILLA Happy Meal collaboration! This latest Happy Meal duo brings together two of Japan's most iconic characters in one unexpected crossover.

The limited-edition set features eight unique toys combining popular Sanrio characters with famous monsters from the classic Godzilla francise.

Photos: AsianFeed

See all the toys in the Hello Kitty X Godzilla Happy Meal!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcOrjHiDnpk/?img_index=1

08/18/2026

WATSON NGUYEN has made history as the first Vietnamese American man to win a title at the USA Swimming National Championships.

He won the 50-meter breaststroke and finished in 26.65 seconds, setting a new personal best. His race time moved him to fourth in American history for the 50-meter breaststroke and placed him among the world's top 10 swimmers.

Photo: Bill Streicher

Learn more about Watson Nguyen and his championship race.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Db-43mvDqjh/?img_index=1

08/16/2026

Congratulations to NATHAN CHEN, 2022 Olympic Gold Medal Winner, who attended his White Coat Ceremony at Harvard Medical School as he begins his journey toward becoming a doctor!

Photos: AsianFeed

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcEH1vsDuaz/?img_index=1

08/13/2026

As voters prepare for the November Mid-Term Elections, let us remember DR. MABEL PING-HUA LEE., one of the leaders of the Women's Suffragette Movement.

Voting Rights For Women
After immigrating from China in 1901, Lee became active in the fight for women’s suffrage while a student in Brooklyn, NY.

In April 1912, The NY Tribune published an article about her intent to ride on horseback in the upcoming Suffrage Parade with older American suffragists. On May 4th, Lee did lead the Suffrage Parade on horseback in front of thousands.

In 1917, she took to the streets again, leading Chinese American women in another parade. That year women earned the right to vote in NY State, though the 19th Amendment did not pass until 1920.

Despite this achievement, Lee herself could not vote since the Chinese Exclusion Act prevented her from becoming a naturalized citizen. Unable to exercise the rights she fought to secure for others, she nevertheless remained devoted to fighting for women's rights.

Academic Achievements
* Attended Erasmus Hall Academy in Brooklyn., where she was the only Chinese student in her class.
* Enrolled at Barnard College in 1913, joining only three other Chinese women in attendance at the time.
* Attended Columbia's Teachers College to earn a master's in educational administration.
* Earned a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University in 1921, the first Chinese woman to receive an economics Ph.D. in the U.S.

Religious Leadership and Community Work
* Became President of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in NYC after the death of her father in 1924.
*Created a permanent home for the First Chinese Baptist Church in NYC and joined the church leadership.
* Founded and directed the Chinese Christian Center, teaching immigrants English and vocational skills, providing kindergarten services and a free medical clinic.

Learn more about Dr. Lee's amazing career and achievements.
https://www.mocanyc.org/collections/stories/mabel-ping-hua-lee/

08/11/2026

The MAHJONG REVIVAL has taken over the NYC tri-state area.

In Manhattan's Chinatown, Gen Z players shuffle tiles over food and drink catered from the city's top-rated restaurants.

In Connecticut, young women enjoy pricey retreats, like the one Gold Coast offered at the Mayflower Inn in Washington earlier this year -- two nights of spa treatments, astrology and mahjong sessions for only $1,650 per person!

Mahjong's explosion in popularity appears to be linked to a post-pandemic desire for connection. Players say they crave sensory, analog experiences in an age of digitization and AI. For others, the allure is in the beauty of the tiles themselves — the most coveted sets can easily fetch up to $600.

Learn about the history of mahjong in the USA plus watch the "Mahjong for beginners" video.
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/why-mahjong-rising-popularity-tristate/6532459/

Address

State College, PA
16801

Website

https://www.panapidacircle.org/

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