Limei Lai Art Show: Temperature in Life
2026-04-27 10:00 - 2026-06-21 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, Oregon, 97209
On display through June 21, 2026 | Free with admission or membership

Explore intricate fabric installations by Limei Lai, a Portland-based Chinese American artist. In her own words: “On top of a chaotic, messy, tangled, frayed, knotted forest of seemingly random threads, tapestry finds order and beauty, much like art and life.”

This installation is in collaboration with the Many Bridges exhibition at Blackfish Gallery running through May 30.

About the Installation

Series 1: Indoor black and white embroidery work

This series of works are reflections of my past. Thinking about intergenerational communication and cultural conflict. The narratives are quite clear on the composition of the work, while the underlining thoughts are the daily constant practice of do and undo cultural learnings.

Series 2: Outdoor colorful embroidery work

This series of work is made with the idea of we situate ourselves in a safe, soft place for trust and connection. The artist’s hope is that these mini sculptures can accompany the trees, can dance in the wind, and can sing if humans shake them, move them to a different place, or dance with them. They have a little red heart in them that is ready to sing and dance.

Engage with the Artist — Childhood Play Memory Exchange

Sunday, May 10 | 3-5 PM | Free with admission or membership

Artist Limei Lai invites the community to contribute to the installation by sharing a moment of your childhood play. Place your memory in one of the fabric pieces hanging in the Scholar’s Courtyard as a temporary home, then they’ll go to Blackfish Gallery to be hung under a swing and create a communal sculpture.

Learn More

Artist Statement

Weaving experiences of her 30 years in China and 15 years in the U.S., Limei makes textile pieces about connections and communications. The idea is that memory exchange creates a present communication. It exists in time, makes space, constructs identity, and situates us in a closer connection. She believes that we all have a burning kind heart in us that could share some warmth by creating a communal moment.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

AANHPI Heritage Month – Celebrate Our Stories!
2026-05-01 00:00 - 2026-05-31 23:59
Join Lan Su to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! In partnership with more than 20 local cultural organizations, performers, and artists, we explore the history, traditions, and arts that make up the rich cultural tapestry of AANHPI.

Enjoy a display of traditional outfits, cultural performances, vendors from local AANHPI communities, educational talks, and demonstrations while learning all about these different cultures and traditions. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating our cultural diversity!

Featured AANHPI Heritage Month Experiences

Threading Together – AANHPI Traditional Attire Exhibit

Through June 21

Step into the stories behind cultural dress. Threading Together features traditional outfits from local AANHPI community members, each reflecting the history, meaning, and identity woven into every detail.

Threading Together Show & Tell — Fridays, 1-4 PM

May 8: Korea | May 15: The Philippines | May 22: China | May 29: Japan

Limei Lai Art Show: Temperature in Life

Through June 21

Explore intricate fabric installations by Limei Lai, a Portland-based Chinese American artist. In her own words: “On top of a chaotic, messy, tangled, frayed, knotted forest of seemingly random threads, tapestry finds order and beauty, much like art and life.”

Artist Invitation: Childhood Play Memory Exchange

Sunday, May 10, 3-5 PM

Oregon Rises Above Hate (ORAH) Presents: Free Admission Day at Lan Su

Saturday, May 2 | 12:00-6:00 PM

Since 2021, Lan Su Chinese Garden has partnered with community leaders to host an annual gathering that fosters resilience and unity—sharing resources, amplifying community groups, raising awareness, and celebrating the diversity of the AANHPI community.

Cultural Immersion Saturdays

May 9, 16, 23, & 30 | 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

In partnership with local organizations, AANHPI cultures come to life through performances, talks, and interactive activities for the whole family.

May 9: Vietnam | May 16: India | May 23: China | May 30: Pacific Islanders

Mother’s Day at Lan Su

Sunday, May 10 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Make this Mother’s Day unforgettable at Lan Su, with a day filled with blossoms, tea, and cultural experiences. From plant sales and special tea tastings to hands-on activities, you can bring home more than just memories!

Plant Sale

Tea Tasting (Sold Out)

Corsage Making

Card Making

Chinese Sing-Along

Floral Photo Op

Inner Mongolia Art Theatre

Thursday, May 14 | 1:00-3:00 PM

Immerse yourself in several unique disciplines of Inner Mongolia Art Theatre, such as music, dance, opera, drama, and acrobatics. Don’t miss this leading performing arts company from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China—at Lan Su for one day only!

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 臥虎藏龍 (35mm) – Benefit Screening at Hollywood Theatre

Friday, May 15 | 7:30-10:00 PM

Ang Lee’s iconic film returns to the big screen in support of Lan Su Chinese Garden. Prior to the film, guests will be treated to an exciting demonstration by Summit Wushu Academy. Don’t miss this one-night-only experience!

Taste of Home, Where the Heart Belongs — Chinese Homestyle Cooking Demonstration

Saturday, May 23 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Join a Chinese cooking demonstration led by culinary expert Anna Xu. Learn how to use locally sourced ingredients to create simple, authentic homestyle dishes that capture the true flavors of home.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Threading Together: AANHPI Traditional Attire Exhibit
2026-05-01 00:00 - 2026-06-21 23:59
Regular hours: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Saturday, May 2 hours: 12:00-6:30 PM (Last entry at 6:00 PM daily)

Clothing is a powerful expression of culture, reflecting history, identity, and tradition through form, color, and pattern. Threading Together brings together traditional attire from local AANHPI community members, each piece offering a window into lived experience and cultural heritage.

Featuring garments from Sāmoa, China, Japan, Korea, India, Cambodia, and the Philippines, the exhibition highlights the richness and diversity of AANHPI cultural expression.

Threading Together Show & Tell

Dates: Fridays in May; 1:00–4:00 PM

Join us for special interactive sessions connected to Threading Together: AANHPI Traditional Attire Exhibit. Meet cultural representatives, explore the stories behind traditional garments, and discover how clothing reflects identity, heritage, and artistry.

Upcoming Sessions:

May 8: Korea

May 15: The Philippines

May 22: China

May 29: Japan

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Calligraphy Demo
2026-05-19 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-21 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-26 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-28 12:00 - 14:00
Enjoy expert demonstrations and gain insights into the beauty and history of calligraphy.

12 – 2 PM | Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 28 – September 29, 2026

Experience the harmony of calligraphy and other art forms. Enjoy expert demonstrations and insights into the beauty and history of calligraphy. Drop in anytime during the Calligraphy Demo.

Get Admission

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

#PlantWednesday Spotlight
2026-05-20 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-05-27 11:00 - 11:30
Join our horticulture team every Wednesday for a tour diving into a plant in its peak, gardening tips, and more.

Wednesdays, 11-11:30 AM | Free with admission or membership

The #PlantWednesday Spotlight is a unique “show & tell” program featuring different captivating topics every month. Meet Lan Su’s horticulture team each Wednesday to explore, learn, and connect with the natural beauty of Lan Su. These are short 30-min sessions that showcase a horticultural wonder, technique, or tool that our passionate horticulturists want to share with fellow plant enthusiasts. Each session will shine a light on the behind-the-scenes operations of the garden, highlight a plant at its peak beauty, or focus on recent improvements to our collection.

Each session will explore a different part of the garden based on that week’s topic. When you arrive, please check in with the front door staff or volunteers for the exact location to meet in.

Get Admission

This program is FREE with garden admission or membership. No registration needed.

Wild Goose Qigong
2026-05-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-29 11:00 - 12:00
Join Wen Wu School Portland for weekly Wild Goose Qigong practice, including tai chi warm-ups, acupressure self-massage, and walking meditation.

11 AM – Noon |Fridays, May 1 – October 30, 2026

Join Wen Wu School Portland in exploring Dayan, or Wild Goose Qigong, an ancient Chinese movement art developed to promote health, well-being, and longevity. Drop-in participation welcome!

Wild Goose (“Dayan” 大雁 in Chinese) Qigong is an ancient Chinese Taoist movement art that nurtures one’s inner energy – Qi – and restores a healthy mind and body. The 64 movement first set mimics the wild goose, a highly revered animal of ancient China. With regular practice one can learn to access Qi for self-healing, restore vital energy, and strengthen one’s immune system to promote a healthy, balanced, and long life. Join Wen Wu School Portland for weekly Wild Goose Qigong practice classes, which include tai chi warm-ups, acupressure self-massage, and walking meditation through the Garden.

Get Admission

Learn more about Wild Goose Qigong »

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Music in The Garden
2026-05-22 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-29 12:00 - 15:00
Enjoy the gentle sounds of live Chinese music on traditional instruments such as erhu, ruan qin, and pipa.

Noon – 3 PM | Fridays, April 24 – September 25, 2026

As you stroll the garden pathways, enjoy traditional Chinese music of erhu or guzheng by Lan Su musicians.

The erhu is a bowed, two-stringed Chinese vertical musical instrument. The guzheng is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument with 21 strings and movable bridges.

Get Admission

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Garden Tea Tasting with Hannah Ma (1 PM)
2026-05-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-29 13:00 - 14:00
Overview

Tickets

Tea Master

Parking & Directions

Series Overview

This spring, take a front-row seat to Chinese tea culture with our intimate Garden Tea Tasting Series (March–May), led by tea master Hannah Ma. Savor three seasonal teas from Yun Shui Teahouse, learn traditional brewing techniques, and explore the stories behind centuries of tea culture. Your ticket includes admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden on the day of your tasting.

After your 1-hour tasting, you’ll receive a porcelain teacup to continue your journey at home. All sampled teas will also be available for purchase in our Yun Shui Teahouse.

Full Series Schedule

Saturdays & Sundays, March 21–April 26 | 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Fridays & Sundays, May 1–May 31 | 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM

Get Tickets

Seating is very limited for these intimate group tastings, so reserve your seat early. Your ticket includes garden admission on the day of your tasting.

Lan Su Members & Guests: $36.95

Non-Members: $55.95

Note: A $0.95 service fee is reflected in each paid ticket

Meet the Tea Master: Hannah Ma

A Portland native, Hannah grew up drinking tea almost as often as water. Her passion was formally cultivated during her senior year of high school, when she gained extensive experience with diverse tea blends and preparation techniques as a tea-rista at Portal Tea Company (formerly Tea Chai Té). Now a beverage enthusiast of more than six years, Hannah is thrilled to join Lan Su’s Tea Tasting program, where she shares science-based insights into tea’s properties and explores the rich traditions of Chinese-style tea ceremonies.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Threading Together Show & Tell: China
2026-05-22 13:00 - 16:00
Come join us for Threading Together Show & Tell, an interactive visitor experience that brings the stories behind traditional attire to life. This program is part of our Threading Together: AANHPI Traditional Attire Exhibit.

On May 22, step into traditional Chinese style with Micheal Clendenen.

The program will conclude with a 30 minute talk featuring two pairs of three inch “golden lotus” (三寸金蓮) bound foot shoes from the speaker’s personal collection. Through these artifacts, photographs, and shared stories, the audience will gain a deeper understanding of the history of foot binding in China, along with its related customs, and a more nuanced perspective on Chinese dress and this distinctive aspect of social and cultural history.

Meet Our Program Partner: Micheal Clendenen

Michael Clendenen lived in Taiwan for over 30 years after moving there in 1974, where he and his wife Sandra developed a deep interest in Asian antiques. Their collection grew over time from small objects to large, significant pieces, reflecting decades of exploration and discovery. Fluent in conversational Mandarin, Michael was able to engage directly with collectors and vendors throughout his journey. After returning to the United States in 2006, their collection filled a 40 foot shipping container. Today, he enjoys sharing these objects and their stories through engaging show and tell experiences whenever possible.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Steep & Paint: Peony with Morgan McGuirk
2026-05-22 14:00 - 17:00
Instructor | Tickets | Series Schedule | Parking

Enjoy a blossom-filled afternoon at the beautiful Lan Su Chinese Garden with the return of Steep & Paint. With all materials provided and admission included, all you need to bring is yourself!

We’re bringing this series back by popular demand and newly reimagined in partnership with the Oregon Botanical Artists (OBA). This immersive afternoon experience invites you to slow down, look closely, and connect with plants through tea, conversation, and hands-on art-making. Our May 22 Peony session with Morgan McGuirk will use watercolor as the medium.

Each session weaves together horticulture, tea culture, and botanical art in a relaxed, welcoming setting:

Learn the plant up close: A Lan Su gardener leads a close-up botanical show-and-tell, sharing seasonal plant facts, cultural stories, and growing insights.

Taste the season: Enjoy a sampling of seasonal teas from Yun Shui Teahouse.

Create botanical art: An OBA artist guides a full botanical art class inspired by the featured plant.

Whether you’re returning to Steep & Paint or joining for the first time, this refreshed program offers an even richer way to experience Lan Su. Bring a friend with you and let’s Steep & Paint together!

Meet the Instructor: Morgan McGuirk

Morgan McGuirk is a Portland-based watercolor artist and instructor who has been teaching beginner-friendly classes for the past year in NE Portland and at a retirement home in Milwaukie. She enjoys helping students of all levels build confidence with watercolor.

Morgan specializes in realistic pet portraits and also creates landscape and abstract work. As a professional pet sitter, her love of animals deeply inspires her art and commissioned pieces.

Meet Our Partner: Oregon Botanical Artists (OBA)

Oregon Botanical Artists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting contemporary botanical art while honoring its long-standing traditions. Founded in 2012, the organization supports a diverse community of artists who celebrate the beauty and diversity of plant life through detailed and scientifically informed artwork. Oregon Botanical Artists is affiliated with the American Society of Botanical Artists as an Artists Circle.

Instructor | Tickets | Series Schedule | Parking

Steep & Paint Need to Know

Each class session is independent — participants are welcome to register for any individual class without attending others.

Registration fee includes full-day admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden.

Get Tickets

Lan Su Members & Guests: $56.95

General: $66.95

Note: A $0.95 service fee is reflected in each paid ticket

Full Series Schedule

Set a new monthly Friday tradition, or treat someone special to an amazing afternoon of creativity!

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Garden Tea Tastings with Hannah Ma (3 PM)
2026-05-22 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-24 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-29 15:00 - 16:00

Cultural Immersion Saturday: China
2026-05-23 00:00 - 23:59
Each Saturday in May highlights a unique AANHPI culture, with community partners taking the lead on experiences, performances, and vendors to showcase their heritage.

Join us Saturday, May 23, as Oregon Chinese Coalition brings us a full day honoring and celebrating Chinese culture.

Meet the Community Partner:

The Oregon Chinese Coalition is a local Chinese organization dedicated to building a connected and united Chinese community that embraces diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, political beliefs, and religious and cultural traditions.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Taste of Home, Where the Heart Belongs — Chinese Homestyle Cooking Demonstration
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:30
Explore the flavors of home with culinary expert Anna in a Chinese cooking demonstration featuring simple, authentic dishes.

11 AM – 12:30 PM | Every 2nd Saturday, May 23 – December 12, 2026

Food in Chinese culture is more than nourishment—it is culture, history, and a vital medium for social connection, care, and love. It plays an essential role in both festive celebrations and everyday life. We warmly invite you to join this Chinese cooking demonstration led by culinary expert Anna. She will demonstrate how to use locally sourced ingredients to create simple, authentic homestyle dishes that capture the true flavors of home.

Get Admission

Featured at the event: The Asian Food Pantry (AFP) Cookbook — a culturally inspired collection of recipes using ingredients commonly distributed through the pantry over the past six years. Cookbooks will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the Asian Food Pantry and its work serving low-income Asian seniors in our community.

Meet the Demonstrator:

Anna Xu is a passionate baker and home cook, known for her expertise in traditional Shanghainese cuisine as well as Western pastries. She is the author of The Taste of Home, Where The Heart Belongs 家的味道，心的归属, a bi-lingual cookbook that celebrates the emotional connections we build through food and a fundraising initiative that supports the pantry’s mission. Anna also leads the Asian Food Pantry program at the Community for Positive Aging (Hollywood Senior Center), where she supports low-income Asian seniors by providing culturally familiar foods and fostering community connection. A longtime volunteer at Lan Su Chinese Garden, Anna is deeply committed to promoting and preserving Chinese culture through her work and community engagement.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Tai Chi Fundamentals
2026-05-24 10:30 - 11:30
Get moving with a beginner Tai Chi class by Many Roads Martial Arts Center on Sundays.

10:30 – 11:30 AM | Sundays, May 3 – October 25, 2026

Many Roads Martial Arts Center is offering an introductory Tai Chi class at Lan Su on Sundays at 10:30AM. This class will introduce the fundamental principles of Tai Chi Chaun (or Taijiquan) using the Yang Style 24 Posture Form. We will work on posture and body alignment alongside principles of movement and meditation. We will also discuss how Tai Chi blends health, meditation, and martial application.

This class is suitable for all levels but will be particularly helpful for beginners of all ages.

Get Admission

Meet the Instructors: Many Roads Martial Arts Center

Jenny Lohr, Owner/Instructor

Jenny has been practicing Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi since 2005. As the owner of Many Roads Martial Arts Center, her focus is nurturing a supportive and safe learning environment while challenging everyone to keep growing and improving. Jenny loves the physical and mental challenges of martial arts and is very excited to share them with the students and instructors at the center.

Jay Twitchell, Instructor

Jay has studied various martial arts systems including boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, aikido, hopkido, kumdo, and muay thai kick boxing since he was 10. In other words, he has been used as a punching bag for over 30 years by masters and lifelong practitioners of these systems. His lifetime of experience getting kicked, punched, choked, kneed, elbowed, and thrown are invaluable in teaching others how not to be. Balancing his martial studies, Jay has 20 years of experience as a massage therapist and movement specialist, offering him a deep knowledge of the human body and healthy practice.

Myk Olsen, Instructor

Myk has been a Tai Chi Chuan practitioner since 1997 and has been teaching since 2013. His primary teachers were Gao Jamin and Yu Shaowen. Over the years, Myk has learned a multitude of forms in Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun styles—both open-hand and weapons (straight sword, broadsword, staff, spear, cane, deerhorn knives, and daggers). While he used to compete in both forms and Push-Hands, Myk now focuses more time on teaching. His teaching style is student-centered and is focused on achieving a balance between the meditative and martial aspects of the forms. Myk also teaches a Tai Chi class specifically geared toward those with mobility and balance issues on Sunday afternoon.

Joel, Instructor

A lifetime student of martial arts, Joel has been training Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi since 1999 and teaching since 2009. His teaching goal is to provide tools to improve every student’s physical, mental, and emotional health in a supportive, encouraging learning environment. Joel’s primary teaching focus is Chen Tai Chi as taught by Master George Xu (Xu Guo Ming). He also teaches our black belt Shaolin curriculum, Yang style Tai Chi, and 5 Element Qi Gong.

Learn more

Or follow them on social media: Facebook | Instagram

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Chinese Conversation Corner
2026-05-24 14:00 - 16:00
Brush up your Chinese conversational skills with the help of native speakers from Oregon Chinese Coalition.

2–4 PM | Sundays, May 3 – September 27, 2026

Practice your Mandarin skills with volunteers from the Oregon Chinese Coalition! Learn useful phrases and words in Mandarin and brush up your Chinese conversational skills with the help of native speakers.

Get Admission

About Oregon Chinese Coalition

The Oregon Chinese Coalition is a local Chinese organization dedicated to building a connected and united Chinese community that embraces diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, political beliefs, and religious and cultural traditions.

Learn more about OCC

Or follow them on social media: Instagram | Facebook

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Chinese Song Sing Along
2026-05-24 15:00 - 16:00
Sing, play, and explore Chinese music with Alan in an enjoyable and accessible session on Sundays.

3:00 – 4:00 AM | Sundays, May 10 – September 27, 2026

Join Alan for an enjoyable and accessible Chinese music experience! If you love music and are eager to try something new, you are warmly invited to learn a Chinese song, a verse, or even just a single line with Alan. You are also welcome to bring your own instrument and play. Music and singing are wonderful ways to explore culture and connect with others.

This event is open to all—no language background is required.

Get Admission

Meet the Instructor:

Alan Liang is an accomplished musician skilled in vocal performance, guitar, keyboard, and drums. He is a member of the Huayun Arts Alliance and the founder of the OCC Northwest Music Club. Alan has long been an active supporter of Chinese music and performing arts in the Portland community. He has participated in numerous Lunar New Year celebrations and cultural festivals, making ongoing contributions to the promotion of Chinese music and culture.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Threading Together Show & Tell: Japan
2026-05-29 13:00 - 16:00
Come join us for Threading Together Show & Tell, an interactive visitor experience that brings the stories behind traditional attire to life. This program is part of our Threading Together: AANHPI Traditional Attire Exhibit.

On May 29, step into traditional Japanese style with Misao, Paula, and Masayo of the Portland Kimono Club.

Explore the meaning, history, and cultural significance of the garments featured in our exhibition through conversation and shared storytelling. Engage with cultural representatives, ask questions, and enjoy a show and tell display of additional pieces that deepen the connection between dress and identity, heritage, and artistry.

Whether you are curious about fabrics, symbolism, or the people behind the garments, this experience invites you to look closer and connect more deeply with the living traditions they represent.

Meet Our Program Partner: Portland Kimono Club

The Portland Kimono Club, founded by Takako Elting in 2012, gathers kimono enthusiasts in the Portland area. Activities include wearing kimono for social outings, classes, workshops, and volunteering at cultural events.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Cultural Immersion Saturday: Pacific Islanders
2026-05-30 00:00 - 23:59
Each Saturday in May highlights a unique AANHPI culture, with community partners taking the lead on experiences, performances, and vendors to showcase their heritage.

Join us Saturday, May 30, as Teva Oriata brings us a full day honoring and celebrating Pacific Islander cultures.

Event Schedule:

TimeProgramDetails10:00 AM to 4:30 PMFood & Retail VendorsTeva Oriata, Manoa Shave Ice, Custom Mirror Tatau, & Kiss of Polynesia 11:00 AMCultural PerformanceTeva Oriata – Hula (Hawaii)11:30 AM to 12:15 PMCulture CornerCultural Activity: Types of Lei and Lei Wili Workshop1:00 PMCultural PerformanceTeva Oriata – Tahitian (Tahiti)1:30 PM to 2:00 PMCulture CornerCultural Activity: Sharing Native Culture Through Music!2:30 PM to 3:00 PMCulture CornerCultural Talk: Tatau Across the Pacific3:00 PMCultural PerformanceTeva Oriata – Siva and Māori (Sāmoa and New Zealand)

Meet the Community Partner:

Teva Oriata is a Tahitian dance school founded from Angie’s dream to share the beauty and passion of Tahitian culture with the Pacific Northwest. In Oregon, it stands out in a region with few traditional pupu ori groups.

Accompanied by the rhythms of pahu drums and toere, students learn both the technique and cultural traditions of Tahitian dance, including costume making and language. Rooted in the spirit of arofa or aloha, the school fosters respect, connection, and a strong sense of dance feti’i, or family, while helping students build strength, discipline, and confidence.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Cultural Activity: Types of Lei and Lei Wili Workshop
2026-05-30 11:30 - 12:15
In Hawaiʻi, a lei—and in Tahiti, a hei—is a handmade adornment given as an expression of love and connection. Traditionally crafted by binding fresh flowers and foliage with natural fibers, lei are worn on the po‘o (head) or ‘a‘i (neck), carrying the care and intention of the maker.

Join us to learn the art of lei wili, a wrapping and binding technique using raffia. We’ll explore different styles of lei and guide you step by step through the lei wili method. All materials will be provided to create a small wristlet so you can learn the technique. If you’d like to make a full lei po‘o, you’re welcome to bring your own flowers or greenery. Many beautiful options can be found right here in the Pacific Northwest, including wild daisies, rhododendrons, and ferns.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.

Cultural Activity: Sharing Native Culture Through Music!
2026-05-30 13:30 - 14:00
Experience the Islands of Tahiti through music. In ‘Ori Tahiti, the drums are the heartbeat of the dance, guiding every movement and bringing the story to life. Polynesian culture and history are preserved and passed down through dance, with the rhythms and traditional instruments of the islands giving them voice. The to‘ere (log drum) is one of the most recognizable and distinctive instruments in Polynesia, with each island group offering its own unique style of playing. Come learn foundational pehe (rhythms) and discover your sense of timing and flow.

Parking & Directions

Free Lan Su Parking

There is free first come, first served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. Additional metered parking and garages are available on surrounding streets.
