The Colorado Rockies made history by hosting their first-ever Taiwan Day at Coors Field, in partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the local Taiwanese community. The cultural celebration drew more than 50,000 fans, including approximately 500 Taiwanese attendees and VIP guests, creating a vibrant evening of baseball and cultural exchange. Prior to the game, the Rockies held a special on-field ceremony introducing distinguished guests: Consular Officer Natalia Wang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Denver; Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver (TCCD) President Cher Chan, Vice President Vivan Chien, and former Secretary General Fay Lee; Colorado Taiwanese Association former President Rachel Chiu; and Colorado Chinese School Principal Mitchell Hong. Representatives of the Taiwanese community walked onto the stadium stage wearing aboriginal costumes, The folk legend Third Prince (Ne Zha) costumes, and Rockies Taiwan Day commemorative shirts to showcase Taiwan’s cultural characteristics to the audience.
Curated by Yang Wang, an Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Colorado Denver, Homeland and Beyond features the paintings of Lain Singh Bangdel, widely regarded as the father of modern art in Nepal.
Rocky Mountain Public Media , the home of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz, and TheDrop303 has a partnership with Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange to launch this monthly essay series, as part of our vision to co-create a Colorado where everyone feels seen and heard.
It all began in the seventh grade, in Kalihi Valley, Honolulu. For Lawrence Shiroma, the introduction to music began with the brassy tone of a trombone, courtesy of his band teacher Ray Okimoto. This initial spark, however, would soon lead to a lifelong passion for a different instrument. “I picked up the guitar in high school, learning folk songs like ‘500 Miles’ and Beatles songs,” Lawrence recalls. His style today is a unique fusion of classical fingerpicking and traditional flat-picking, a testament to his diverse musical background. The song “The Wayward Wind” holds a special place in his heart, a reflection of a personal journey that echoes its title. “I guess I always felt a desire to travel, especially being raised on an island,” he shares. That desire took him far from home, joining the U.S. Army and serving in Vietnam. His path then led him to social work and eventually, to a new life in San Francisco where he found faith and met his wife, Vickie. Together, they embarked on a 36-year career as officers in The Salvation Army before retiring in Colorado Springs in 2015. Performing is a deeply personal experience. His goal is simple but profound: to be genuine. “I heard one listener saying to me that I come across as someone genuine,” Lawrence says with a smile. “I love to see folks dancing when I am doing a number, and enjoying the moment.” Some of his most moving performances take place in memory care units, where his music bridges the gap between past and present. “I love performing in memory care units and to see folks recognize the tunes that I play and bring back memories long past,” he says. His career has been filled with memorable moments. A recent performance at the Backyard Market in Black Forest stands out, where a father and his young daughter began dancing to his rendition of “I Love To Go A Dancin’ With You.” The song, about a father reminiscing about dancing with his daughter on his shoes, created a heartfelt connection. He was also deeply moved when he performed the same song for its writer, George Ray Russell, who, despite having Parkinson’s disease, came up to shake his hand after the performance. In retirement, he’s found his sweet spot as a solo musician, balancing teaching and gigging. “The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a solo musician and guitar teacher is balancing my teaching schedule with my gigs,” Lawrence admits. But he has embraced the challenge, grateful for the opportunity to share his love of music, whether on stage or in the classroom, with students both young and old. From the streets of Manitou Springs to a retirement filled with melody, his journey is a beautiful testament to the power of a song to connect and inspire. See his performance at Black Rose Acoustic Society in Black Forest at: youtu.be/BH5Ari6NqFc .
With hundreds of foodie social media posts, meet @bonappetitmysweet . Or as we know her, Fiona Quiban! In honor of Filipino American History Month, we’re sharing how she’s actively building community through her thousands of views. Fiona is a proud Filipina-American, who was born in Honolulu and raised in Denver since the age of six. As the eldest daughter in her family, Fiona has always been a leader, she’s also a founding class member of DSST Green Valley Ranch High School, a network dedicated to serving students of color with a 100% college acceptance rate: “Growing up in Denver’s diverse neighborhoods shaped my appreciation for inclusivity, cultural richness, and equitable access to healthcare and resources.” While attending the University of Colorado Anschutz, she served as the social media ambassador for the Colorado School of Public Health. She would go on to graduate with her master’s in public health and work in the field.
In the bustling landscape of Aurora’s business community, one leader stands out not just for her professional acumen but for a deeply personal commitment to inclusion. The president and CEO of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce brings a unique perspective to her role, one shaped by her mixed heritage and a life-long lesson in building community. Her journey, rooted in her Okinawan heritage, has made her a powerful catalyst for growth and representation in Aurora. For years, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce has championed diversity and inclusion, a mission the executive director sees as fundamental to her work. This commitment is reflected not only in the Chamber’s goals but also in its very composition. She takes immense pride in her diverse team, which includes Asian Americans, South Asians, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Their collective backgrounds, she notes, have provided a greater understanding of different cultures, enriching the organization from within. This ethos extends to the community, where recent initiatives have made a tangible impact. A key project with Booz Allen Hamilton provided over 500 volunteer hours to six small, minority-owned businesses. The results were transformational, with one business reporting that the support helped it triple in size and prepare to hire new staff. This professional drive is a direct reflection of her personal history. Her mother, who came from Okinawa, Japan, in 1968, created the Okinawan Ken Jin Kai in Colorado Springs. This group was more than just a cultural club; it was a way to create a family connection for Okinawans in a new country. Her mother would teach traditional cultural dances, and the twice-yearly parties became celebrations of hard work and dedication.