April: Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Monday, April 20, 2026
Doors Open at 6:30 pm
Enjoy complimentary refreshments and browse our partner tables.
Program 7:00-8:30 pm
Southridge Recreation Center
4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch
$5 Donation Suggested at Door for non-HRHS members
Consider applying the Donation to Membership! Click HERE for more info.
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Be prepared to celebrate this special month in the Denver area by understanding the culture and significance of various events and activities.
Tonight’s program will be primarily focusing on Japanese culture and the Denver experience. Although Japanese food and pop culture have gone “mainstream,” the history of Japanese Americans in Colorado is often overlooked. Gil Asakawa will present a talk that gives that history, including the incarceration of almost 10,000 people of Japanese heritage at Amache, one of ten incarceration sites established during WWII. The camp in southeastern Colorado near Granada is now designated as a National Historic Site. Gil will also talk about the Japantown area along Larimer Street that is now concentrated at Sakura Square, the hub of the local Japanese community.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: GIL ASAKAWA
Gil Asakawa is a cultural consultant, journalist, author and blogger whose topics include Japan, Japanese Americans and Asian Americans. He is a nationally-known speaker, panelist and expert on Japanese American and Asian American history and identity. He has authored several books of which the latest is “Tabemasho! Let’s Eat!”, a history of Japanese food in America. He will have this book available for purchase.
ABOUT OUR PERFORMER: TONI YAGAMI
Enjoy the special presentation of Taiko drumming with a short performance courtesy of Taiko With Toni–Thrill to the Thunderous Sounds of the Taiko. Toni Yagami performing, in traditional costume, using taiko drums, Toni will delight our audience. Taiko with Toni – Thrill to the Thunderous Sounds of the Taiko
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are celebrated in Japan and worldwide as a symbol of spring, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life. They are the white and pink blossoms of the Cherry Tree.
PROGRAM SPONSORS Providing Gifts for the Program Guests Drawing—Thank you!
Stacey Shigaya, Executive Director of the Sakura Foundation. The mission of Sakura Foundation is to celebrate and share Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage in order to promote a more compassionate, resilient and equitable society. Home – Sakura Foundation
.Janice Ogawa, Japanese American Resource Center of Colorado (JARCC).
💜 Preserving and educating the Japanese-American experience Keeping heritage and culture alive. HOME – JARCC
Jolie Noguchi, General Manager, Pacific Mercantile Company, Family owned, providing thousands of Japanese food and Asian products. http://www.pacificeastwest.com 
Shirley Cavanaugh, HRHS Member, Program Coordinator for Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Program, Third Generation Japanese American
.