Name: A Celebration of Our Region’s Asian American Voices
Start: 2025-03-29T17:30:00-05:00
Location: 201 S Lafayette St, Macomb, IL, United States, Illinois 61455

$A Celebration of Our Region\u2019s Asian American Voices$

The Western Illinois Museum is proud to collaborate with the Asian American Heritage Coalition (AAHC) to host a special community event that will mark the launch of the Asian American Heritage Coalition and its new podcast series. The event will be held on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Western Illinois Museum. Join us in celebrating the contributions of our region’s Asian and Asian American residents through stories, music, and community.
Over the last year, AAHC founder Maureen Marx has gathered oral histories from local residents of Asian and Asian American descent, as well as their partners and supporters, documenting their experiences and contributions to our community. Her collaboration with the Western Illinois Museum is part of the Museum’s ongoing efforts to create an archive of local stories, ensuring that many voices are heard and included within our community’s historical narrative. During the event, Marx will introduce the work of the Asian American Heritage Coalition and play excerpts from the upcoming podcast episodes.
The occasion also marks the premiere of “Like the Wind,” a composition by Western Illinois University (WIU) Professor Hong-Da Chin, created specifically for the project and featured in the accompanying podcast series. Chin will perform the piece on the Chinese dizi flute, accompanied by pianist Po-Chuan Chiang who is also a WIU Professor.
The dizi is a type of Chinese bamboo transverse flute that dates back over 2,000 years. It features a unique membrane positioned between the mouthpiece and the body of the instrument. This membrane vibrates when air is blown through the flute, creating a distinctive buzzing effect that enhances its clear and resonant sound. After the Qing Dynasty, the dizi gained prominence as an accompaniment instrument in folk music, operas, and musicals.
The program will also feature a selection of traditional repertoire, showcasing the instrument’s expressive qualities and traditional playing techniques.
This event provides a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich contributions of Macomb’s Asian and Asian American residents while enjoying the unmatched beauty and expressiveness of traditional Chinese music.
Doors and bar will open at 5:00 pm, with appetizers and hot tea available. There will be a special musical offering by local Asian American youth at 5:15 pm. The program will begin at 5:30 with music and a brief introduction to the work of the Asian American Heritage Coalition. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.
About The Asian American Heritage Coalition
The Asian American Heritage is a nonprofit educational organization that seeks to provide the West Central Illinois region with accurate and comprehensive information about Asians’ and Asian Americans’ diverse backgrounds, histories, and contributions to the United States. Its goal is to identify and dismantle misinformation and harmful stereotypes about people of Asian descent living in the Midwest so that they can foster stronger cultural ties with the community built on understanding, empathy, and respect.