***LAST FEW TICKETS LEFT!***

SPECIAL OFFER: From 29th August, the next 15 tickets sold will also give the attendee 2 FREE sachets of Vietnamese coffee, courtesy of Nomad Bean Coffee! Less than half of these remaining!

ESESEAHM x MCR is back for a second year!

Come and celebrate and commemorate our histories and heritages with community joy and activities to help raise funds for our annual YPAD exhibition! Sponsored by SDKA.

Join us on Saturday 7th September at ESEA-owned Asian-fusion joint Meridian Café and Bar in Spring Gardens, Manchester city centre for our annual ESEAHM x MCR Celebration: Fundraising for YPAD! Alongside a selection of stories from our YPAD (Yellow Peril Awareness Day) exhibition in May for East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month (plus some sneak peeks at future topics), there will be a range of activities including an interactive art mural, short film screenings, and karaoke. There will also be a raffle and an auction bidding with some amazing prizes!

Your £10 ticket will include delicious food served by Meridian, a goody bag and entry to watch the shorts by ESEA filmmakers we have sourced exclusively for this event. Raffles and auction bidding are separate (details to be announced soon). All ticket and bid proceeds go towards Voice ESEA’s YPAD fundraising pot to continue hosting the event every year. The booking fee helps us cover costs to Ticket Tailor.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Agenda

6-7PM: Arrival and welcome drink courtesy of Meridian, plus the chance to bid in the auction, explore the YPAD exhibition, add to the interactive art murals, and sample HumaniTea drinks 

7-7.30PM: Welcome speeches by Abbey Wong and Choon Young Tan and ice breaker activity

7.30-8.30PM: Finger food courtesy of Meridian

8.30-9.30PM: Short films showcase (see below) and snacks

9.30-9.45PM: Auction winners announced

9.45-11PM: Karaoke and music

Short Films Showcase

Aunt Lotus & Her Dream Bicycle 一輛腳車兩個輪

As Singapore's ageing population further grows, we hope to remind our seniors that there is grace and bravery in growing old, even when it may seem daunting when the world around us is constantly changing. Spurred by a film production crew who claimed she has no imagination, a blind grandma constructs an unusual cycling simulation with common household items. Directed by Kew Lin and produced by Angelina Marilyn Bok.

Ginhawa

In this short film, we delve into the concept of "Ginhawa," a Filipino term encompassing not just physical release but also spiritual tranquility. We follow Christie's journey, observing her struggle to navigate the relentless currents of daily life while grappling with a growing sense of displacement. Directed by Marie Baverstock and written by and starring Anjelica Serra.

Tamagoyaki

Tamagoyaki is a short film about a young British-Japanese girl who moves to the UK from Japan and starts experiencing cultural differences especially in love and affection. It’s a story based on director Meg Igarashi's own childhood and relationship with her Japanese mother. Produced by Emma Sheldrick.

Tony's Double Happiness Shop

Tony’s Double Happiness Shop is Xindi Wei’s first documentary film shot on an iPhone. It explores themes of identity and the importance of community through the eyes of Tony, a British-born Chinese who owns a dry cleaners in Haggerston in East London. Xindi tells an uplifting and moving story about Tony’s personal and creative journey that will resonate with many ESEA people in the UK, along with many surprises to be discovered in the shop!

I know love is real because I exist and I’m so full of it

Director Gabby Lauren expresses her trouble understanding the notion of love throughout life. She turns to friends and interviews them, and in return, receives a collection of nostalgic and warm memories of love in different forms.

About YPAD:

Voice ESEA launched YPAD in May 2024 to share and tell the many uncovered, forgotten and intriguing British ESEA stories that have been interwoven and embedded into UK history for centuries.

With this annual event, we want to:

1. Uplift and educate about the depth of BESEA history, inclusive of yellow peril and its global impact.

2. Implement resources for top-down changemakers in the British public.

3. Empower our community to acknowledge their belongingness, share their experiences and be emboldened to report incidents.​

Some of our sponsors, donors and partners

With thanks to the following businesses and people who will be contributing to the success of this event:

• SDKA - a specialist bridge finance lender offering fast, efficient short-term finance solutions secured on commercial and buy-to-let properties throughout England, Wales and Scotland
• Nomad Bean Coffee - Asian-owned and led Nomad Bean Coffee are on a mission to elevate and celebrate the heritage of Asian-origin coffee in an ethical and sustainable way
• HumaniTea - the UK's first chilled ready-to-drink vegan tea lattes
• Tarsier Spirit - the authentic taste of Southeast Asia bottled in award-winning gins
• Juniper by the Sea - the UK's first East and Southeast Asian bookshop
• Ickle Bao - personalised gifts and educational resources to spark young Chinese imaginations
• Tan's Topics - the UK's first and only dedicated blog on ESEA issues
• Glaucoma UK - ending preventable sight loss caused by glaucoma through awareness raising, funding vital research and supporting those with glaucoma
• Stanley Chow - Manchester-based artist and illustrator Stanley has had his artwork commissioned across the globe for multinational companies and A-list celebrities
• Fetch It - home of the award-winning, 100% compostable cleansing mitt and the largest range of compostable poo bags
• Little Yellow Rice Co. - a Peranakan supper club experience hosted by Hannah-Natalie Hosanee, exploring Nyonya culture through the flavours of Hainan & Malaysia
• Aking Sinta Jewellery - showcasing the beauty and artistry of Philippine crafts to the world with beautifully designed jewellery
• Little Egg Crafts - individually handmade amigurumi inspired by Hongkonger culture and ESEA heritages
• Jensen Chung - artist, illustrator and graphic designer