Earth to Mars is a premier Bruno Mars tribute band based in Los Angeles, known for capturing the high‑energy, funky vibe of Bruno Mars’ live performances. This professional 5–6 piece group delivers crowd‑pleasing hits like “Uptown Funk” and “24K Magic” with authentic sound, dynamic vocals, and irresistible stage presence. Earth to Mars brings the excitement and feel of a true Bruno Mars concert to audiences everywhere.

Toney Chem is a standout figure in the Midwest, known both as the “Bagel King” and a rising pop artist. He blends his entrepreneurial life, running a beloved local bagel shop, with a passionate music career, creating a one‑of‑a‑kind presence in the community. His performance brings together creativity, culture, and the unmistakable energy that defines his dual worlds.

Returning to the CelebrAsian stage are the Asian Queens, a talented group of drag performers who bring artistry, culture, and high‑energy entertainment to Iowa’s biggest events. Known for their stunning costumes, powerful stage presence, and vibrant celebration of Asian identity, the Asian Queens are a crowd favorite and a highlight of the festival each year.

The CelebrAsian Scholarship Winners and Award Presentation honors outstanding students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and cultural pride. In addition to recognizing these remarkable scholars, the ceremony also highlights the Village Awards, celebrating the creativity, dedication, and community impact of each participating village. Join us as we honor this year’s scholars and applaud the villages whose contributions help make CelebrAsian unforgettable.

One of the anticipated highlights of the festival is the CelebrAsian Fashion Show, featuring traditional clothing from every participating village. This vibrant showcase celebrates cultural identity, craftsmanship, and the beauty of Asian heritage through stunning attire worn with pride by community members.

Lion dancing is a traditional performance art in Chinese and Asian cultures where performers mimic a lion's movements in a costume to bring good luck, prosperity, and to ward off evil spirits. It is typically performed during cultural festivals, weddings, and business openings.

Performing on festival grounds.

Build2BREAK is a Breaking (breakdancing) program serving the greater Des Moines metro through after‑school programs, Parks and Rec classes, and studio instruction. For this year’s CelebrAsian performance, they will showcase several of the groups they teach, including Panda Breakerz of Oak Park Elementary, Ankeny Parks & Rec, Hillis Breakerz of Hillis Elementary, and their community program Build2BREAK at Legacy in Motion Academy.

With roughly 75 students performing, audiences can expect a high‑energy showcase featuring interviews and dynamic Breaking sets.

Cambodian Cultural Performance features traditional Cambodian dancers presenting two beloved pieces: the Blessing Dance, a graceful classical dance offering peace and good fortune, and the lively Chicken Dance, a folk performance full of charm and playful storytelling. Together, these dances highlight the beauty, spirit, and cultural richness of Cambodia.

The Indian cultural performance features a rich blend of classical and contemporary styles, beginning with an expressive Bharatanatyam presentation rooted in traditional storytelling. This is followed by the high‑energy Mega Power Gang Telugu and Hindi dance, bringing vibrant cinematic flair to the stage. The Eshanjali Dance Academy Bollywood performance adds color and rhythm through dynamic choreography, while a lively Tamil dance highlights the cultural spirit of Tamil Nadu. The performance concludes with an upbeat Bollywood number celebrating modern Indian music and movement.

A celebration of Chinese culture through four expressive performances: a lively folk dance honoring harvest, tradition, and rural life in southern China; a flowing Taiji sword routine that blends strength and softness in graceful motion; a poetic dance inspired by gentle spring rain and nature’s quiet beauty; and a joyful Chinese waltz-style dance symbolizing celebration, unity, and pride.

A live calligraphy performance with Taiko will showcase a dynamic collaboration between traditional large-scale Japanese calligraphy and the powerful rhythms of taiko drumming. While the calligraphy artist creates bold brushwork in real time, the taiko group Peaceful Forest will perform exciting and energetic drum music, bringing movement, sound, and spirit together in one experience.

A dynamic local Des Moines dance group brings high-energy K-pop cover performances to the stage, showcasing their passion, precision, and love for Korean pop culture. This performance features choreography inspired by hits from ENHYPEN and TWICE, delivering powerful stage presence, synchronized movement, and fan-favorite routines that are sure to get the crowd excited.

A vibrant showcase of Myanmar’s rich artistic heritage, featuring traditional music, graceful dance forms, and colorful cultural expressions. This performance highlights the rhythms, costumes, and storytelling traditions that reflect the diverse ethnic identities of Myanmar.

Experience the energy of re:MIX a k-pop dance crew, created with sharp choreography, clean formations, and performance‑ready style.  re:MIX  brings the spirit of the original to life while showcasing our own passion and precision. Whether you're a dedicated fan or new to the song, this cover delivers the rhythm, visuals, and excitement that define K‑pop.  

Iowa Lao Natasinh Dance represents the Lao community of Des Moines through traditional dance and cultural storytelling. They perform at cultural and public events across Iowa, sharing the elegance and heritage of Lao performing arts.

At this year’s CelebrAsian Festival, the group will present Fon Kinnaly, a traditional Lao folk tale featuring a celestial being who is half‑bird, half‑human. This graceful and symbolic dance highlights the beauty, mythology, and cultural pride of the Lao people.

Martial Arts Demos showcase the skill, discipline, and cultural traditions behind a variety of fighting styles. Performers demonstrate forms, self‑defense techniques, and high‑energy routines that highlight strength, focus, and control. These interactive demos offer audiences of all ages an exciting look at the power and artistry of martial arts.

Aloha Wind is a Polynesian dance group based in central Iowa, with a strong presence in Des Moines, Ames, and surrounding communities. They share the vibrant traditions of the South Pacific through dances from Hawaii and Tahiti, bringing the beauty, power, and storytelling of Polynesian culture to audiences across the region.

Their mission is to both entertain and educate, offering a performance that highlight the diversity and cultural significance of Polynesian dance. Aloha Wind is known for creating warm, welcoming, and highly interactive experiences suitable for all ages.

The Sao Bok Ban group is a newly founded Tai Dam cultural performance ensemble, formed earlier this year to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of the Tai Dam community. Though new, they have already taken the stage at the Coralville AsianFest, sharing their heritage with audiences across Iowa.

This appearance marks their first-ever performance at CelebrAsian, where they will present a traditional Tai Dam dance that honors their history, identity, and cultural pride. Through graceful movement, symbolic gestures, and traditional attire, their performance offers a meaningful glimpse into the beauty of Tai Dam culture.

A dynamic traditional Tamil percussion performance featuring the Parai, one of South India’s oldest drums. Once used for community announcements, it now energizes festivals, folk dances, weddings, and cultural celebrations across Tamil Nadu and the global Tamil diaspora. Expect powerful rhythms, synchronized movement, and a vibrant showcase of heritage.

Experience Mahoree Isan, a traditional dance from Northeastern Thailand (Isan), brought to life by Thai Village Performance. Accompanied by indigenous musical instruments adapted from the central region, this vibrant performance reflects the rich cultural heritage and evolving traditions of Thailand. Deeply rooted in local festivals and ceremonial rituals, Mahoree Isan continues to thrive within modern culture while honoring its historical origins.

Soten Taiko brings the power and spirit of traditional Japanese drumming to Central Iowa. As the region’s only taiko ensemble and a proud part of the Japan America Society of Iowa, they’ve been sharing the thunderous energy of taiko since 2011.

They perform at festivals, schools, and community events across Iowa and welcome anyone interested in learning this art form. This year, they’re thrilled to return to CelebrAsian! Ready to fill the festival grounds with the deep, resonant heartbeat of taiko.

Come experience the powerful rhythms, the cultural tradition, and the unmistakable sound of taiko under Iowa’s open sky.

Experience a special Vietnamese performance honoring My Motherland, a heartfelt tribute to Vietnam’s rich culture, traditions, and enduring spirit. Through music and performance, this presentation reflects the beauty of heritage, the strength of community, and the deep pride of home.

A vibrant celebration of Filipino culture featuring three traditional performances that highlight history, devotion, and artistry through movement.

The program opens with a dynamic modern Tinikling, the national folk dance of the Philippines, inspired by the agility of the tikling bird as it gracefully moves between bamboo traps. This is followed by Subli, a ritual dance that blends prayer, song, poetry, and movement in devotion to the Holy Cross, reflecting the deep fusion of indigenous tradition and Catholic influence in Batangas. The performance concludes with Pandanggo sa Ilaw, a graceful dance known for its gentle sway and fluid candle-balancing movements, brought to life through traditional Filipino music and elegant choreography.

We begin our celebration with a powerful performance of the National Anthem, setting the tone for a day of unity and pride. Following this, the Executive Director of the Iowa Asian Alliance, Nu Huynh, will offer opening remarks as we come together to honor 250 years of shared history, cultural heritage, and community strength. It’s an invitation for everyone to join in, celebrate, and kick off this milestone year with energy and purpose.