As the only Bangla language focused institution in the state, Maryland Bangla School has been promoting and teaching the beautiful Bangla language and the rich Bangladeshi culture and heritage for the last 15 years. This non-profit organization is located in Ellicott City, where weekend classes are held on its own premise every Sunday.  

In today’s program, the children and parents of the school will present Bangladeshi culture, history, and heritage through a medley of Bangla songs and dance performances.  

The first piece, “Doll Dance”, features movements making the performers dance like puppets. They move in simple, playful ways, as if they are being gently controlled, creating a cute and lively performance that reflects innocence and joy.

The second piece, “Fan Dance” is a traditional Korean performance in which dancers use colorful fans to create beautiful patterns and shapes. It combines graceful movements with music, often forming images like flowers or waves, and highlights harmony and elegance.

“March of the Elephant King,” is a Chinese classical dance inspired by Guan Dazhou’s music, embodies nobility and wisdom. Choreographed by Wu Yaqi for the ArtEast–Howard LoveDance Group, it uses fan techniques and grounded movement to convey a majestic procession, regal strength, and lasting cultural depth.

Mudra Collective presents Beyond Borders: A Thingyan Dance Story, inspired by Myanmar’s water festival. Through graceful movement, symbolic gestures, and vibrant costumes, this performance celebrates renewal, cultural identity, and the connection to heritage across generations.

-Kalapati - Performed by Isabelle's AAPI Dance Team. This traditional Ilocano folk dance from the Northern Philippines reflects the simplicity and modesty of Illocano women. Kalapati means "dove" and mimics the courtship of doves, symbolizing peace, love, and loyalty. 

Korean Culture & Art of MD (KCAMD) is dedicated to promoting and spreading  the love of Korean traditional culture and arts by providing showcases of special cultural performances and artifacts thereby enriching cultural diversity and empowering the ethnic communities.

KCAMD works to create a community where all generations are valued, respected and supported. We work to create a community where our programs connect generations instead of separating or isolating them; and where the oldest and youngest members of our society work together to achieve transformational change.
Last year "Stepping Stones" won 1st place for Octet Charleston International Music Competition.

There is a great country called Myanmar, formally known as Burma. Myanmar is an ethnically diverse nation with 135 distinct ethnic groups officially recognised. The performers taking the stage today represent the Chin tribe. 

The dance is about how we used to hunt back in the day, how we fight using spears, how we prepare food, and how we celebrate when the men come back with valuable animals from their hunting trip. The dance also includes hornbill dance as a symbol of unity and loyalty.

-Alitaptap - Performed by the FIL-AM Association of Southern Maryland.  This traditional Tagalog folk dance from Batangas province reflects the vibrant culture and festive spirit of the Filipino life in Batangas region, symbolizing joy and community.  Alitaptap means "firefly" and mimics the nighttime courtship of fireflies, symbolizing light and guidance.

A selection of translated lyrics for the first song, “Paarukkulley Nalla”

“Among all countries in the world, India is the best country.

In wisdom, in divine thought ,

In high respectability , In free supply of food,

In music and in poem drenched with nectar,

It is the best country.”

The second selection “Gramiya Sangamam” translated “The Confluence of Folk Traditions” is a medley of South Indian folk dances, rooted in the fertile soil of Tamil Nadu. Moving beyond the classical stage, these "Gramiya Kalaigal" (village arts) are the heartbeat of the people, traditionally performed during temple festivals and harvest celebrations to honor the deities and the land.

In the depths of the vast grassland, dancers transform into wind crossing the wilderness and clouds drifting toward the horizon. Through the language of contemporary Mongolian dance, they narrate solitude and seeking beneath Ulaanbaatar’s night sky. The dance unfolds in stillness—so quiet that even the wind cannot be heard. Dancers move as silent wanderers intoxicated by journey, then run forward as dreamers who never look back. The interweaving and separation of the ensemble reflects the nomadic spirit’s attachment to homeland and yearning for distant horizons.  When the night draws so close, when tears fall within the song, the dancers inscribe with their bodies a poem of wandering, belonging, and inner calling.This is the eternal confession of the children of the steppe to their homeland, and the moonlit Ulaanbaatar that dwells in every heart.

TAAGBC is honored to present "Air" by Ching-Ju Shih, a beloved violin piece that blends Taiwanese tunes with contemporary textures, evoking Taiwanese romanticism. Performed by Dr. Shu-Ting Yao, Peabody-trained violinist and former professor at Frostburg State University, joined by her husband, Dr. Huai-En Tsai, on keyboard.

Ellicott Taichi Health Club, a local Tai Chi club, will present a special tai chi performance in celebration of AAPI heritage. Our performers wear traditional tai chi clothes in an array of colors—each hue reflecting the diversity and harmony within Asian culture. Tai chi, rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, cultivates balance between body, mind, and spirit. It is both a martial art and a moving meditation, passed down through generations. Today’s piece beautifully combines classic tai chi quan, the flowing artistry of tai chi fan, timeless traditional forms, and a contemporary competition style. Together, they show how this living tradition evolves while keeping its heart and soul intact. Please enjoy this graceful journey of movement and meaning.

Misako Ballet is a professional, non-profit dance company that creates classical ballet and Japanese themed performances, bringing joy to our community, while increasing awareness of Howard County’s cultural diversity.  Artistic Director Misako Aoki, an award winning choreographer, shares her Japanese roots and culture through classical ballet, Japanese dance & music.

This dynamic fan dance brings together spirited heroines and young warriors. With graceful movements and powerful energy, the performers create a vivid journey through the world of martial arts—full of elegance, courage, and the timeless charm of the WuXia spirit. Proudly presented by Howard County Chinese School Happy Fitness Dance Team.

An Indian traditional folk dance named Kolattam. In this dance, the children perform with Kolattam sticks and include a small skit. The skit explains the story of Lord Krishna going to steal butter at a neighbor's place with his friends. Choreographed by Rajyalakshmi from Abhinaya Group of Performing Arts, Ellicott City.

Hanpan Korean American Cultural Center, a nonprofit, Korean cultural percussion group is composed of students & adults ranging in age from 10 to 70+ years. 

Samulnori, the “playing of four instruments” has its roots in Pungmul, a Korean folk genre that encompasses music, dance and rituals.

It’s also played during celebrations of traditional Korean culture and has now been modernized and even incorporated into modern Kpop music.

EastWave Music Band was founded in Maryland in 2019 and is dedicated to the Asian American community in the United States. Its mission is to preserve traditional Asian music and culture, blend Eastern and Western musical elements, and perform throughout the Greater Washington metropolitan area. This program features an energetic bamboo flute solo that depicts farmers transporting grain after a bountiful harvest. The bright melody and dynamic rhythms vividly recreate the sound of galloping horses and the vibrant vitality of rural Asian life.

This Chinese fan dance is performed by ZHAN Performing Arts class from Hope Chinese School. The dance: The Snow Dragon is an epic, cinematic dance that’s showing 8 female Kung Fu masters dancing on top of a snowy mountain. They use a fan as a sword and dance with female power.

Through their dedication to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Odissa’s dance forms, the organization serves as a catalyst for the global dissemination of these dance forms, forging a harmonious bridge between cultures and fostering a deep appreciation for the beauty and artistry of Odissi and Folk dances of Odissa on an international stage.

1. IAT Welcome
2. DCRS
3. W.R. Grace
4. 8 Lucky Forests
5. OHRE
6. AAPI
7. LoKA
8. Aashari
9. HCC
10. Kira Kira
11. Hip Zepi
12. AT&T
13. Community Health Initiative, Inc.
14. Columbia Association
15. LittlePatch Club
16. Cucumbershii
17. LWV
18. CAPA
19. Gilchrist Cares
20. Alzheimer's Association
21. HCLS
22. The Office of Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth
23. iCode Columbia
24. HCCS
25. MD 529
26. AAE HoCo
27. Love Inspired Jewelry
28. Deb Jung for Howard County Executive
29. Savvy Scents
30. HoCo Office of Consumer Protection
31. Luminus
32. Lanlan Xu for BOE
33. Wealthy and Wise Family Office
34. WUST
35. Howard County Democratic Central Committee
36. Sheriff's Office
37. My Life Foundation
38. HoCo Republicans
39. Capital Badminton Academy
40. John Myrick for Governor
41. Grace Christian Community Church
42. Howard County Police Dept
43. Infinite Legacy
44. M&T Bank
45. Mathnasium
46. Taiwanese American Association - Greater Baltimore & Columbia
47. Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center, Inc. (MCRC)
48. Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Lucido Agency
49. Pmc
50. Recreation and Parks

51 Art of Hennas
52 Blended Bakery
53 AARP
54 Beracah Music
55 Pinwheel Clay
56 Matelna Bakes
57 Crafty Bear
59 Korean Society of MD
61 Sugar Magic Live
62 Art by Joanne
63 Sour Sipz
64 Mrs Macarons
66 Mudra Collective
67 Creations by NNA
68 Island Sno Cone

70. Demonstrations and Story times

2 Bold Chefs & a Mediterranean Truck
Thai Pinto Food Truck
frosty Softy
lavish foods
y&m llc
Himalayan Soul Foods
Koshary Corner
PhoWheels
Rice around the world
Praveen's Dhaba
Kbbqbox
Clove and Cardamom

Inner Wave Pencak Silat: Martial Arts Demonstration

Enjoy a story time with Howard County AAPI Commissioners as they read children’s stories featuring AAPI protagonists.

Inner Wave Pencak Silat: Martial Arts Demonstration

Enjoy a story time with Howard County AAPI Commissioners as they read children’s stories featuring AAPI protagonists.

Enjoy a story time with Howard County AAPI Commissioners as they read children’s stories featuring AAPI protagonists.

Bend it Like Bollywood performs an interactive dance demonstration

Enjoy a story time with Howard County AAPI Commissioners as they read children’s stories featuring AAPI protagonists.