Performance Schedule

TIMEAMPHITHEATER
10:30AM - 11:15AM Parade Begins & Heads to Amphitheater
11:15AM - 12:00PMConcert by Clayton - Bradley Academy & Indonesian Angklung group
12:00PM - 12:30PMBali Dancer (Suma), Indonesian Local Group, Indonesian Cultural Association (ICA), & BOS
12:30AM - 12:50PMThailand : lavo traditional dance and songkham dance
12:50PM - 1:10 PMVIP Speech
1:10PM - 1:40 PMMatsuriza (Japanese Drummers from Disney World)
1:40PM - 2:00PM FACCET/PAAET Philippine Group
2:00PM - 3:00 PMSumo Show + 3 PM Photo Time
3:00PM - 3:30 PMLion Dance (Wah Lum Kung Fu)
3:30PM - 3:50PMNatana Manohari (Indian Dance)
3:50PM - 4:20PMKorean Fan Dance
4:20PM - 4:50 PMChinese Dance & Music
5:00PM - 6:00 PMSumo Show + 6 PM Photo Time
6:00PM - 6:20 PMShamisen/Eisa(Japanese Banjo and Okinawa dance)
6:20PM - 6:40 PMNAFFAA Performance
6:40PM - 7:00 PMKendo demo
7:00PM - 7:20 PMIndonesia Performance & Music
7:20PM - 8:00 PMMatsuriza (Japanese Drummers from Disney World)
TIMEPERFORMANCE LAWNFESTIVAL LAWN
12:00 PM - 12:30 PMBangladeshAayushma Shrma (Nepal)
12:30 PM - 1:00 PMIgnite! Dance
1:00 PM - 1:30 PMIndonesiaIgnite! Dance
1:30 PM - 2:00 PMThailandKorean Fan Dancers
2:00 PM - 2:30 PMNozomiChinese
2:30 PM - 3:00 PMShamisenChinese
3:00 PM - 3:30 PMEisa(okinawa dance)EquiKnox(Shelby)
3:30 PM - 4:00 PMSpectro! (Solo Idol)Manthan Indian Dance
4:00 PM - 4:30 PMKnoxKpopGalz
4:30 PM - 5:00 PMNAFFAA Performance Natyarpana(indian)
5:00 PM - 5:30 PMNAFFAA Performance Greatest Taiwanese hits songs
5:30 PM - 6:00 PMPersephone ProjectCosplay - Spectro
6:00 PM - 6:30 PMCosplay - Spectro
6:30PM - 7:00PMDr. Higgins-ChineseMartialArtsPilot Flying J (Krutika Desai)
7:00PM - 7:30PM JAX

Performers

Shamisen Knoxville 
Shamisen is a traditional 3-string musical instrument from Japan. We have been spreading the fun of playing the banjo-like instrument by performing at local festivals and events. We also offer hands-on experiences to people of all ages at festivals. This year we are excited to be collaborating with a local shakuhachi bamboo flute player and a traditional dancer from Japan. Eisa Drum will join us.

Indonesia

ICA Indonesia Cultural Association from Seattle Washington
BOS USA Borneo Orangutan Survival: https://www.orangutan.or.id
BAli dancers by Suma Mandayana
Indonesia Local Children

 

University of Tennessee Gamelan
The University of Tennessee Gamelan is a group of UT students and members of the Knoxville community dedicated to learning Balinese music. The group was established at the UT College of Music in 2021 and is currently under the direction of Jonathan Adams.

Clayton-Bradley Academy Strings
ClaytonBradley Strings is our middle and High School Strings group. We have around 60 members in our ensemble. We are a year-round private school in Maryville. We have performed in the Knox Asian Festival, at Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, and won 1st place at Music in the Parks festivals. They will play a song with Indonesian Angklung.

National Federation of Filipino Amerian Associations Tennessee
We will have the following:
1. Escrima, Filipino Martial Arts Demonstration
2. 3-Filipino Cultural Arts Dance Presentation
3. Philippine Cultural Fashion Show
4. Awards Announcements

Since 1997, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has promoted the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. As a non-partisan and non-profit organization, NaFFAA is the largest national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its fifteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.

Natana Manohari
I, Bhavani Murthy, Run a dance school here in Knoxville called Natana Manohari School of Performing Arts. We perform Ancient Indian Classical Dance styles called Bharatha Natyam and Kuchipudi. We will have 10 to 12 participants if chosen to perform.

Here is my Biodata and other pertinent information:

Bhavani Murthy has been a student, performer, and teacher of Bharatha Natyam and Kuchipudi styles for past over 40 years or so. She is the disciple of Mrs. Sudha Chandrasekar, Miss Bhanumati and Mrs. Sheela Chandrasekar of Bangalore India in Bharatha Natyam and Mrs. Sandhya Sree Athmakuri of Michigan in Kuchipudi. She has presented many of her students in many organizations, charity shows, and her students have won prizes in competitions as well. She has attended many workshops with well-known Gurus from India. She loves choreographing classical and folk dances such as Kuravanji (gypsy), Candle, Peacock and Kolatam. Due to the blessings and guidance from her own parents ( mother Saroja who was a trained Carnatic musician), her Gurus and the Divine Lord Nataraja Bhavani has been instilled with the inspiration and passion to be able to teach this art form to many children and adults. Since moving to Knoxville 5 years ago she tries to present her students in many different cultural shows per year in Knoxville. She has (through her students and her own daughter who is also a professional dancer) given many programs for charities and raised funds for many of them such as Aim for Seva, Asha for Education, Mirani Foundation of Knoxville, Haiti Earthquake Fund, TIWA organization which raised funds for Girls and Boys Scout, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, etc. Some of these programs (the ones with her daughter Ranjani’s solo programs) have been done with live orchestra of musicians in which Bhavani herself did the Nattuvangam (reciting rhythmic patterns for the dancer by playing cymbals). Bhavani was the main person in charge of these free and ticked programs. She has given performances in many parts of USA such as Florida, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Chicago, Tennessee, Toronto, Windsor, Montreal, Canada, Jamaica, West Indies, etc.

Bhavani has judged a few classical dance competitions in Bharatha Natyam and few college team based competitions. To name a few, ETSU Hungama show, UT’s Holi Competitions and Dhandia Dhamak in Michigan, which was a National Level Competition with Raas and Garba college teams.

Bhavani recently was a recipient of the Folk and Traditional Master Artist Fellowship through South Arts Organization for 2021. She runs a dance school Natana Manohari School of Performing Arts in Knoxville in the hopes of spreading this art form to next generation of youngsters to impart her knowledge in the authentic styles of Bharatha Natyam and Kuchipudi.

Spectro!
I am a solo idol and performer who has been involved in Japanese 踊ってみた (odottemita/dance cover) communities online for 10+ years, and performing live at conventions and events since 2017! I love maid cafes, and my favorite artist is Ado!

Ignite! powered by Dancers Studio
Ignite! is a Modern Dance company, formerly known as the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble, who performed all over the world (13 countries!) including Japan, Singapore/Indonesia and Taiwan. We also had the distinction of being Dancing Goodwill Ambassadors for the State of Tennessee under every governor since the mid-80s. After Covid, we restructured to form a new group, Ignite!, composed of eight original members of TCDE along with a new group of dancers from Dancers Studio. Our current membership is 15 dancers. We are performing this summer in Knoxville and several other places in Tennessee. Ignite is primarily a Modern Dance performance group, but we also incorporate Jazz, Ballet and other styles into our performances. Dancers Studio has been training dancers since 1957!

Ramya Kapadia, Artistic Director, Natyarpana School of Dance & Music
Natyarpana was founded to add to the rich and diverse communities of the South through the teaching and performance of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music (codified forms of dance & music from South India). Artistic director Ramya Kapadia is a Knoxville-based multi-disciplinary artist specializing in Bharatanatyam dance, Carnatic music, visual art (Warli tribal art from Western India), and writing (children’s fiction). In 2019, she received the Public Space Project award from Downtown Durham Inc., which resulted in a Warli mural that reflected Durham’s changing landscape from the 1600s to the present. Her artwork was a part of the Black History Month exhibit at the Knoxville Art Alliance. She is a teaching artist with the Durham & United Arts Councils, Arts Access, NC & the Tennessee Arts Commission, TN. She has received the Emerging Artist, Choreography Fellowship & Individual Artist awards from the Durham & NC Arts Councils & the NC Dance Alliance. She has served on grant panels for the Durham Arts Council & the Tennessee Arts Commission & on the Advisory Board of Dance Project, Greensboro. A creator, performer, and curator, Ramya believes in creating community through the art that can and should tell stories that move audiences to becoming compassionate human beings.

East Tennessee Wushu Team
The East Tennessee Wushu Team will perform a variety of Chinese martial arts routines to help spread the joy of martial arts and of Chinese culture to the East Tennessee community! Come visit us at the KnoxvilleChineseCulture Booth for more information on Chinese martial arts and on all aspects of Chinese culture!

KCCC – Chinese School Children Dance Team
This is a Chinese dance team consisting of children from 6 – 11 years old. They have been in training for the past year and their dance represents modern Chinese children’s dance in recent years: a mix of traditional Chinese kid’s dance and modern rhythm techniques. They performed at the 2023 Chinese New Year Celebration at the UT auditorium and were loved by the audience.

KCCC – Chinese School Adult Dance Team
We are a Chinese school adult dance team. This group has been in weekly training for neo-classic dance for the past year. This dance genre is an innovative blending of Chinese traditional southern dance with modern technique and expression. We performed at the 2023 Chinese New Year celebration at the UTK auditorium and was well received. 14-18 performers.

Knoxville Star Lights
Knoxville Star Lights is a modern Chinese dance group. This group is a talented and dynamic ensemble that seamlessly blends traditional Chinese culture with contemporary dance styles. They will then bring a unique energy and vitality to their performances, captivating audiences with precision and grace. Knoxville Star Lights is founded in 2022. The group has performed at East Tennessee Chinese New Year Festival in 2023 and other local cultural events.

Dance Team Coach: Huaman Gao

East Tennessee Chinese School
East Tennessee Chinese School / China / Traditional Chinese dance / I have been a volunteer dance teacher at East Tennessee Chinese School for five years, my team has participated in many performances, including the Chinese New Year Festival, Moon Festival, and Asian Festival.

Knoxville Kendo Club
We are Knoxville Kendo Club which ash performed kendo demonstrations since the first Asian festival. We would like to perform kendo, Japanese swordsmanship, at the 10th Asian Festival again. Beyond past Asian festivals, we have performed kendo demonstrations 35 times at local schools and international festivals. 

Dr. Dan Higgins
The Three Sisters of Chinese Internal Martial Arts: Tai Chi Chuan, Xing Yi Chuan, Ba Gua Zhang, with the 3 main styles of tai chi ( Chen, Yang, Wu ). Dr. Dan Higgins, a Chiropractic Physician from Knoxville, TN., who performed at the 2019 and 2022 Knox Asian Festivals and the U.T. International Festival, graduated from the University of Tenn. in 1976 in Comparative Religions, specializing in the Far Eastern religions of India and China, with a focus on yoga meditation techniques from India. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1970, and while a senior at age 17, he began training at the 1
st martial art school in Knoxville in Japanese Isshinryu Karate under Grand Master Harold Long and Master Allen Wheeler. Dr. Higgins entered U.T in 1970 and was on the Judo club and Fencing club. In the 1980’s, he began training in Chinese martial arts in Yang style Tai Chi Chuan under Master Cheng in Atlanta, GA. After the year 2000, Dr. Dan began training in a Chinese kung fu style called Mi Jhong Lo Han, and continued in the Internal Martial Arts of Chen Tai Chi, Wu Tai Chi, Xin Yi Chuan, Xing Yi Chuan, and several styles of Ba Gua Zhang under local Knoxville Master Russell Sauls. Dr. Higgins also began training in Chen Tai Chi under the top Chinese master, Grandmaster Wang Hai Jun, and his teacher, the top Chen master of China, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei.  Dr. Dan also trained in Yin Fu Ba Gua Zhang under Grandmaster He Jinbao, the top Yin Fu master of China. While many have seen some forms of Tai Chi Chuan,  most people in the world have never seen the other 2 very rare sister martial arts of Xing Yi Chuan and Ba Gua Zhang, which Dr. Dan demonstrates at our festival. He also demonstrates all 3 of the major Tai Chi Chuan styles for your comparison: Chen, Yang, and Wu styles. Come and observe thesevery rare Chinese Internal Martial Arts!  Dr. Higgins is also an Initiate in Indian Yoga meditation in Ajapa Yoga under Guru Janardan Paramahansa; Kundalini Yoga under Swami Poornananda; Kriya Yoga under Swami Nityananda; Sant Mat under Satguru Charan Singh; and Japanese Zen meditation under Rev. Sensei Kubosi.

Atlanta Korean Cultural Center (AKCC)
Atlanta Korean Cultural Center (AKCC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on education, engagement, and empowerment. Our mission is to empower communities by fostering connections and sharing Korean culture and traditions. We are from Atlanta, GA. We teach and perform Korean traditional dances and instruments. We performed at various prominent events, including but not limited to, Korean Festival, Knoxville Asian Festival, Delta, Columbia International Festival, etc.

Thai dance master
Thai dance master, teaching Thai dance in Atlanta. Performance show Knon Dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsVgz1EiiZI

Suma Indonesian Bali Dancer
Single dancer from Bali, Indonesia. I have performed for Knox Asian Festival since 2019. I am a professional Bali dancer.

CounterStrike
We are a K-pop dance group local to Knoxville. Some members were previously members of Kascade, another dance group that has performed with Knox Asian Festival for many years! For this event, we will infuse traditional Korean dance elements with modern K-pop for a fun and unique performance!

Lion Dance by Wah Lum Kung Fu School
Leroy Kautz, a Sifu (Kung Fu teacher) under Great Grand Master CHAN PUIAfter studying various styles of Martial Arts since the early 1970’s, Leroy was introduced to the WAH LUM system in 1987, training nearly five years as a professional student in Tampa, FL. He then continued his training under the strict guidance of Grand Master CHAN PUI at the Wah Lum Temple in Orlando, FL.Leroy was granted the opportunity, privilege and honor to open his own school and propagate this system and in August of 1994 Leroy began establishing the Tennessee based Wah Lum School in Knoxville.

Nepal Cultural Dance by  Aayushma Sharm

Knox KPop Galz
There are 8 girls dancing on the stage. We will dance and introduce all of the members and studio information. After that, I will teach the audience how to dance one easy K-Pop song and I want the audience to dance with us!

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USA Sumo – Sumo Show
2 PM Sumo Show + 3 PM Photos
5 PM Sumo Show + 6 PM Photos

These guys are the most authentic sumo wrestlers, currently in the Western Hemisphere.

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Matsuriza
A traditional Japanese Drum performance group from Disney World. Matsuriza means “festival” in Japanese. “Taiko” means drum. The principles of Matsuriza are “Shin” (to develop pure spirit), “Gi” (improve skills), “Tai” (keep healthy body) and “Rei” (observe proper decorum). As in many Oriental philosophies, “mind and body” are important for a man’s whole well-being. Matsuriza Japanese Taiko Drummers build focus; develop a habit of caring for each other in teamwork; shape up by building physical strength; and communicate without words but through sounds and minds.

Bangladesh Students Association – UTK
The Bangladesh Students Association (BSA) is a student organization at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with members of Bangladeshi descent performing Bangladeshi folk music and dance.

Persephone Project
Persephone Project, formerly known as Eien Idols, is a seven member idol dance group that covers J-Pop, K-Pop, other East Asian genres of music.

EAST TN Taiwanese Association
Classic Songs and Martial Arts.

Indonesian Traditional Dance, Songs, and Angklung Performance
The angklung is a musical instrument from the Sundanese people in Indonesia made of a varying number of bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame.A dance group that has performed K-pop choreographies locally for two years.

Manorah Thai Dance USA
The Manorah Medley Mix will reflect the unique Thai southern music and dance movement. The song also describes the beauty of flowers in Thailand as well as the beautiful geography of Thailand in general.