The 2nd annual Moonflower Festival is coming to Palenke Arts on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 11am-2 pm. This FREE event is a celebration of AAPI culture, music and dance and will feature wonderful Asian American and Pacific Islander ensembles and over 100 performers: Shinsho Mugen Daiko (Japanese Taiko Drums), Na Haumana (Polynesian Drum and Dance), VietSteps (Vietnamese Dance), , and the Seaside Tongan Youth Dancers. There will also be artisans and community booths, art activities and food vendors.

Shinsho Mugen Daiko-The founding director, Ikuyo Conant, emphasizes cultivation of energy, self-awareness and social and personal harmony in Taiko drumming. The group introduces a contemporary style of Taiko drumming with movements and powerful sounds at community, cultural and school events in Monterey County and beyond.

Nā Haumāna- Nā Haumāna brings the Pacific Islands to life, through music and dance, while perpetuating the values of lifelong learning, community, ohana and the foundation of aloha.

VietSteps-San Jose-based Vietnamese American youth dance group aiming to preserve and reconnect our youth with the Vietnamese language, music, and culture. We are often invited to perform at community events throughout the Bay Area and our dancers have competed and won in various dance competitions and talent shows. Classes are set at elementary and intermediate levels and we welcome anyone with an interest in learning Vietnamese cultural dancing.

Hilltop Tongan Cultural Dancers - This local Seaside group of young Tongan dancers performed for us last year and they were an incredible hit