Experience Asia 2025 Recap

Several distinguished guests attended the event, including Mr. Steve Huang, Senior Expatriate Affairs Officer for Overseas Community Affairs (OCAC) from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Miami; Ms. Fumiyo Tsuda, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami; and Ms. Winnie Tang, Vice President of the Asian American Federation of Florida (AAFF), who traveled from Miami to Tallahassee for the festival. Other local attendees included Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson and his Indian American wife Nina Ashenafi Richardson; Virginia Dailey, wife of Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey; Asian community leader and restaurant pioneer Lucy Ho; ACT Chair Aileen Ray, a Filipino American; and several other local community leaders. Madison Glaser and Jacob Murphy from WCTV served as emcees for the day’s festivities.

 

Before the official opening, two dragons led representatives from various cultural groups in a lively parade through the park to kick off Experience Asia 2025. Onstage, once all the dignitaries had assembled, the event was officially opened with a proclamation from Commissioner Richardson, declaring the day as "Asian Cultural Heritage Day of the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee.” The proclamation was presented to ACT Chair Aileen Ray.

 

Remarks followed from Officer Huang, representing TECO-Miami, and Deputy Consul General Tsuda, both emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and international friendship. Vice President Winnie Tang delivered a special address, expressing her honor to attend this year’s festival and calling it a valuable opportunity to engage with the community. She highlighted the importance of preparing for Census 2030, which, although five years away, is crucial for the representation of Asian and other communities. She also thanked ACT and the broader Asian community for their support of civil rights advocacy.

 

A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the “Electric-Tech Third Prince” (電音三太子) performance, sponsored by TECO-Miami. Representing Nezha, the playful and energetic deity from Taiwanese folk religion, the character is a well-known icon in temple parades. This performance was made possible by Paul Cordon, husband of Tina Wang Cordon, Chair of the Fort Lauderdale–Kaohsiung Sister City Committee, who personally transported the elaborate costume from Miami to Tallahassee. The performer, Shaka Li, a Taiwanese student, took the stage, with Paul not only directing the performance but also joining in the dance. The crowd eagerly danced along, and the performance was met with thunderous applause and excitement. The Cordons also announced plans to custom-order a special “Electric-Tech Third Prince” costume designed specifically for Tallahassee.

 

Throughout the day, more than 25 live performances showcased the richness and diversity of Asian cultures, with a blend of traditional and modern artistry. Audiences enjoyed Japanese taiko drumming, Chinese martial arts, and Hawaiian hula dancing, among many others. In addition to cultural groups from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China, India, the Philippines, the Middle East, and Pacific Island nations, a 15-member Mexican dance troupe, with performers ranging in age from 3 to teens, delivered a thrilling and classic Mexican folk dance. A surprise performance by Rich Purnell as Elvis Presley added an unexpected twist, delighting the crowd with his tribute act.

 

Another standout performance came from the Love Sharing Dance Troupe from Daejeon, South Korea (also known as Hyesuk Bang & Friends), who captivated the audience with elegant traditional Korean dance. Their visit was arranged with the help of Nanhui Looney, a representative of the local Korean community, demonstrating the festival’s growing international reach and ability to welcome performers from abroad.

 

Cultural booths added another layer to the day’s celebration. The Taiwanese American Association of Tallahassee, in collaboration with the Taiwan Students Association at Florida State University (FSU), hosted the Taiwan Booth, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience. Free magazines, national flags, tourism brochures, and Formosan black bear stickers were available, along with interactive displays. The Electric-Tech Third Prince was a crowd favorite at the booth, taking photos with guests and becoming a cultural ambassador for Taiwan. The booth served as a platform to promote Taiwan’s international cultural outreach and engagement with global organizations, strongly supported by TECO-Miami.

 

The Consulate-General of Japan also hosted a booth where Deputy Consul General Tsuda personally greeted and spoke with visitors. Visual arts were another major highlight, with Dr. Nan Liu, Professor of Visual Arts at Florida A&M University (FAMU), demonstrating traditional Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, attracting large crowds.

 

Emcees Madison Glaser and Jacob Murphy of WCTV kept their energy high and the program flowing smoothly throughout the day. Other participating booths included the Tallahassee Chinese Christian Church, the Tallahassee Chinese American Association, the Leon County Supervisor of Elections, the campaign booth for Yen Bailey, an Asian American attorney running for Congress in Florida’s 2nd District, the Indian Association of Tallahassee, and more than 30 food vendors offering a wide variety of delicious Asian cuisines. Local company H2O provided free water for all, helping guests stay cool under the warm Florida sun.

 

Experience Asia 2025 was not just a day of entertainment, but a celebration of community, diplomacy, and cross-cultural understanding. The event brought together leaders, artists, students, and families to appreciate the diversity and contemporary expression of Asian cultures. Through a vibrant mix of performances, cuisine, arts, and advocacy, the festival highlighted the integral role of Asian and Pacific cultures in Tallahassee’s multicultural fabric.

 

From the powerful rhythms of Japanese taiko drums, to the graceful flow of Korean dance, the fluid brushstrokes of Chinese ink painting, and the futuristic energy of the Electric-Tech Third Prince—Experience Asia 2025 was undeniably a resounding success. More than just a festival, it served as a bridge between cultures—celebrating diversity, fostering understanding, and strengthening both local and global community ties.

 

Looking ahead, Tallahassee is set to continue this cherished tradition. Experience Asia will remain a vibrant platform for unity and global dialogue, shining brightly in an ever-colorful world.

 

Photos courtesy of Portia Campos, Patsy Eccles, and Winnie Tang.