Locals present at Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration

Joseph & gretheline Bolandrina of Douglas assisted with the first Asian Street Food and Music Festival at Harvard Square last month. The Church Street Parking lot was festively adorned with banderitas (small pennants) to reflect the colors of the Filipino flag (red, white, blue, and yellow) and had over twelve street food vendors. The month of May is celebrated as the Asian American & Pacific islander Heritage Month. Asian culture, music, arts, contributions, and history were all on display and celebrated at Harvard Square.

The Bolandrina family were grateful to be in attendance and assist in the celebration marking 31 years of honoring the many contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans, Pacific islander Americans, and native Hawaiians. in 1992, the month of May was designated by President george H. W. Bush as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The Asian Street Food and Music Festival was organized by the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA), a non-profit organization where gretheline serves as one of the Board of Directors. The Asian Street Food and Music festival was held in partnership with the gretheline attended the event wearing an authentic ibanag (people of the river) tribal outfit. She shared that live music performances that featured sounds from different Asian countries created a lively and energetic atmosphere. “The lion dance opening was impressive,” she said, adding, “the Asian street food vendors offered multiple delicious selections, there were even tropical ice cream flavors from the islander’s Creamery!” Lilly Bolandrina, Douglas High School Alumna (2020) a junior at Boston University performed traditional Filipino dances with her group BUFSA (Boston University Filipino Student Association).

Harvard Square Business Association’s 38th Annual May Fair.

The annual celebration of Spring featured three stages of live music highlighting an array of genres including folk, Afro Pop, rock, funk and more! The Asian Street Food and Music Festival was an exciting and vibrant event that offered a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity of Asian culture.

The Asian Street Food and Music Festival was supported by the Philippine Consulate general in new York, Harvard University Office for Equity, Diversity, inclusion & Belonging, Harvard graduate School of Arts and Science, and the Harvard Philippine Forum. "i had a blast coemceeing with Antoinette Antonio of WCVB Channel 5 Boston" said Joseph. Joseph and Antoinette helped introduce an array of Asian artists and performers. The Philippine consulate delegation was led by Consul general Senen Mangalile who gave an inspiring welcome remark. Also, in atten-

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dance was Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui who after giving her welcome remarks stayed and gave free City of Cambridge merchandise to attendees. Other Asian groups, leaders, and families enjoyed food and goods on booths set up by other local Asianowned businesses. “i am looking forward to the October celebration highlighting the Filipino contributions to American life,” adds gretheline. “in October, we celebrate the FilipinoAmerican Festival! We will continue to share our stories, our history & culture, to uplift and encourage awareness reflective of global citizenship.”

For more information visit https:// hspaa.org.

Free concert by prominent Handbell Choirs

Two Prominent new England Handbell Choirs giving Free “Twice as nice” Concert in Whitinsville on June 3rd. On Saturday, June 3rd, the Village Congregational Church at 5 Church St. in Whitinsville is hosting a special musical event; a joint handbell concert featuring two community handbell choirs from coastal CT and coastal MA!! Starting at 7:00 pm, the concert will be a delight to hear, with amazing music and techniques from these auditioned bell choirs. Admission is free, but freewill donations are appreciated.

Shoreline ringers is a community handbell ensemble from southeastern Connecticut whose goal is to educate people in the art of handbell ringing through concerts, library programs, and a variety of workshops. The group was established 17 years ago and has played concerts throughout new England. Two years ago they were the opening concert for the Handbell Musicians of America national Seminar in glendale, Arizona.

A few years before, the Shoreline ringers decided to join Merrimack Valley ringers in a joint concert in Putnam, Ct. it was a delight for both the ringers and the audience, for that reason, we are all excited to do it again in Whitinsville on June 3rd at 7:00 p.m.

We look forward to working with our friends in Merrimack Valley ringers on an evening of entertaining handbell music in our “Twice as nice” presentation. Currently in their twenty-first season, Merrimack Valley ringers is an auditioned community handbell ensemble devoted to sharing the art of handbells and handchimes with everyone. MVr’s members delight audiences with their passion for performing, and make it their goal to capture their audience from the first note. We are thrilled to be performing with Shoreline ringers again. “Always different, always fun!”