Created in collaboration with Trail Blazers business resource group, Trail Blazers Asian Pacific Association
PORTLAND, Ore. (January 8, 2025) – Join the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, January 11 as they take on the Miami Heat and host their annual Celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage. During the evening, fans will engage in authentic cultural activities from Chinese Wushu to henna and learn about opportunities to support organizations uplifting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Portland.
Throughout the night, attendees can enjoy AAPI-inspired music by local talent and DJs. In the arena, music continues as DJ Anjali returns to fill the concourse with traditional sounds of the South Asian and Desi diaspora. Fans on the 300 Level will be treated to the musical stylings of the reigning PDX Red Bull Thre3style champion and Filipino artist, DJ Playtime. Additionally, fans can catch an action-packed Chinese martial arts pregame performance on the court by Summit Wushu Academy.
The Ka ‘Aha Lāhui o ‘Olekona Hawaiian Civic Club, KALO HCC, is the Community Partner of the game for their work advocating and uplifting the voices of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities in Portland. KALO HCC will be highlighted in the arena and receive a portion of the proceeds from the 5050 raffle and exclusive retail items in the Rip City Made Collection.
The Rip City Made Collection will feature local Vietnamese designer and crafter Kevin Concepts with exclusive home decor from his hand-crafted second edition homecourt collection. Also on the concourse, fans will find posters of dynamic and esteemed AAPI leaders displayed on the arena pillars. Each of these was selected by the Trail Blazers business resource group, Trail Blazers Asian Pacific Association (TAPA).
Before tip-off, Blaze’s Parade Presented by Polar Beverages will feature a beautiful hula dance showcase from Ka Lei Hali’a O Ka Lokelani, a local Hawaiian Hula school, on the 100 and 300 Levels. At the 300 Level, fans will find Palvi, owner of Bollywood Henna, sharing the traditional Indian practice of henna by creating temporary tattoos with all-natural paste. Parents can bring their kids to Kid City to learn about the art of Japanese and Chinese origami and try their hand at intricate paper folding with instructor Yuki Martin.
2024 Amerika Prestige Awards recipient and proud Filipino American, Adrienne Dawn, will step onto the court to sing the National Anthem. The White Lotus Dragon & Lion Dance halftime performance will be filled with lively acrobatics and interactive elements to bring memorable entertainment and good luck to all Trail Blazers fans. In between the action, fans can visit the concourse to capture the night at the 360 photo booth, owned by AAPI business, Memory Box Photography.
To learn more about how the Trail Blazers are celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage fans can visit nba.com/blazers/aapi.
ABOUT THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by the late Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team’s rich heritage includes 37 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers home arena, Moda Center, is the first existing arena to earn LEED Platinum Certification in 2019 after receiving LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 and becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit trailblazers.com.
