World-Famous Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe Among Entertainments at Asian Heritage Festival St. Louis

ST. LOUIS - Sept. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- The Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe, which performs traditional Japanese puppet drama commonly known as ningyō jōruri or Bunraku (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku), will be among the many free entertainments at the Asian Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 5, 2013 in the heart of St. Louis’ Asian community at 8020 Olive Boulevard in University City.

Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe has performed in more than 30 states across the U.S., including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts) and at Smithsonian Institution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_Institution) in Washington D.C (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_DC)., plus in Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan), Canada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada) and many other regions.

The Asian Heritage Festival promises a magnificent day of colorful amusements, fresh food choices, cultural demonstrations and entertainments for children and adults, plus a showcase of Asian goods, cultural treasures and merchandise from many nations. Its many entertainments will showcase authentic Kung Fu Arts demonstrations by Shaolin Master Xing Xue; Japanese cooking, a Kimono show, plus Asian dance and musical performances, and displays of Asian arts and crafts.

The Asian Heritage Festival will open at 10 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. The festival is free, and ample parking is available. The Festival is organized by the nonprofit Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis (http://www.aaccstl.org).

"The Second Annual Asian Heritage Festival in St. Louis will feature culturally diverse demonstrations and music for all who attend, plus scores of vendors in an international trade mart and food court," said Alexander Lee, AACC President. "It is a colorful, fun event is for people of all ages and ethnicities."

Johnny Wang, AACC Vice President and co-chairman of this year’s festival, added, "More than 56,000 people who live and work in greater St. Louis and southwestern Illinois are of Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Pacific Island, Thai, Vietnamese, Pakistani and Indonesian backgrounds, according to 2011 U.S. Census data.

"The Asian Heritage Festival is an opportunity for peoples of all nationalities to convene, enjoy great food and entertainments, make new friends and celebrate a great day!"

Festival Co-Sponsors include the Centric Group, LLC, the St. Louis Regional Business Council; Ernst & Young LLP in St. Louis; (http://www.stlrbc.org); Missouri Asian American Bar Association (http://maaba-law.org/) (http://maaba-law.org/); St. Louis Small Business Monthly (http://www.sbmon.com) and World Trade Center St. Louis,  http://www.worldtradecenter-stl.com/

Last year’s participating organizations, many of which will appear this year, included the St. Louis Modern Chinese School; Japan America Society of St. Louis; Japanese Bon Dance Group; Philippine Art Foundation; School, and more. Participating restaurants included Dao Tien; Rearn Thai; Korea House; Mayuri; Blue Ocean Sushi; Mandarin House; Baily International; Little Saigon; Star Karaoke & Cafe; Kim Cheese; Seoul Garden; I love Mr. Sushi; and Thai Country Cafe.

 Anyone, including vendors, who seeks information about The Asian Heritage Festival in St. Louis can email questions to info@aaccstl.org, or visit the website http://www.asianheritagefestival.com/index.html.

Founded in 2011, the not-for-profit Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis is an “umbrella organization" for Asian American businesses and organizations in greater St. Louis. AACC serves Asian American businesses and welcome all Asian American and non-Asian ethnicities. It promotes regionally-based Asian American businesses and professionals by providing members with practical information and facilitating positive interactions between its members. AACC also helps build economic cooperation and closer relationships between Asian American and other business communities.

Media contact: Jeff Dunlap in St. Louis at 314 409 5203.

***