Cleveland's AsiaTown Neighborhood Offers Community, Culture and Events

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Cleveland in 2020, AsiaTown’s limited nearby green spaces made it difficult for residents to safely meet and socialize outdoors. There just was not a lot of public open space. But a group of 10 determined residents (mostly women) began informally gathering in streets and empty parking lots to “reduce isolation and reconnect with one another during a challenging time,” according to Sunda Tan, community outreach and marketing manager for MidTown Cleveland.

And they met to square dance — a popular group fitness activity originating in China. Now more than 130 participants perform for themselves, but also at community events and festivals. Today, Square Dancing Park is the temporary name of the former Dave’s Market parking lot where it all began. 

AsiaTown sits east of Downtown Cleveland, bordered by I-90, E. 55th Street, Perkins Avenue, St. Clair Avenue and a historic section of Rockwell Avenue. More than 2,000 residents call it home, including those of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other Asian heritage, as well as Spanish and Black communities. It is also home to restaurants, art galleries, grocery stores, dance studios and gift and herbal shops.

Neighborhood Spotlights

They are running out of outdoor space at the Cleveland Asian Festival, which has significantly grown in popularity over the past 17 years. The crowds, the K-pop music, the Indian Fusion food trucks and the dragon dancers all seem to fit together.

The fastest growing festival in Cleveland, this celebration takes places each May, which is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. More than 130 vendors and exhibitors, two entertainment stages and a health pavilion represent the city’s diverse Asian cultural and business communities.

New this year was the Silk Road Cultural Collective, featuring authentic Asian armor from the Ming and Tang Dynasties. Also popular are the Colors of Asia Fashion Show and the annual Asian-Pop Cover Dance Competition, featuring K-pop, Bollywood, J-pop and other music genres.

“Traditionally we always have historically cultural dance performances, but we also try to have more contemporary dances as well,” says Lisa Wong, co-founder/co-producer of the Cleveland Asian Festival. “People love it when they can share so many parts of their cultures with their neighbors, friends and co-workers.” 

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In many Asian cultures, the Mid-Autumn Festival is similar to America’s Thanksgiving, according to Feiran Yang, community engagement manager with MidTown Cleveland Inc. Also called the Moon Festival, it is a time “for families to gather to share food, enjoy the bright, full moon and express hope for reunion, harmony and good fortune,” says Yang. And you are invited to share “a place at the table,” except your seat may be the ground and the dining room table is represented by the full moon. 

“We look up at the moon, and it reminds us to appreciate each other, our family life and our wish to create a peaceful world,” says Yang. 

This year’s festival is September 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at Square Dancing Park. It will include performances from local dance and martial arts schools, recreational games, community dancing, ping pong, poster painting, a wishing tree, community resource education and, of course, mooncakes. 

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You might have seen one or two claw machines in a convenience store or amusement park arcade, but probably not as many in one place like you can see in Claw Boba Snack (CBS). The claws join other specialty token machines that offer plushies, key chains, Pokemon cards, action figures, stickers, snacks and other items. Prizes depicting the latest licensed characters are in most demand and include Labubu, Crybaby and others.

“Our goal is to have a variety of different prizes for all ages, keep up with the trends and adapt to customers’ demands,” says owner Sai Lin, who opened the space in January and rotates the prizes weekly.

The machines are only part of the fun. About 180 different single-serve portion snacks and scoop-and-weigh goodies are available so you can try all kinds of treats without breaking the piggy bank. 

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The nonprofit Zygote Press, established in 1996, opened the doors of its new location in March and began a new chapter serving the area’s fine printmakers, as well as other artists, educators and cultural workers.

Moving into the former Kalman-Pabst building at 3907 Perkins Ave. in AsiaTown, means Zygote Press now has more than 19,000 square feet of space instead of 6,500. The two-story building with natural light and an open floor plan is perfect, according to Executive Director Jackie Feldman, for “a large gallery, spacious print studio, creative labs, artist studios, administrative offices and Zygote’s collection of 2,000 prints.”

Quadrupling the number of people it can serve, Zygote Press is partnering with additional nonprofit organizations, creating a community arts center that is a hub of economic and creative opportunities. For more information about Zygote’s Annual Summer Solstice Benefit, June 25, visit zygotepress.org. 

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When the former Dave’s Market closed on Payne Avenue nine years ago many nearby residents hoped something positive would come of the property. Now residents are shaping the future MingYue Place, a 4.75-acre, mixed-use, multifamily residential project, led by The NRP Group in partnership with MidTown Cleveland. The affordable housing development will include 120 units in two buildings, 3,500 square feet of ground floor retail space, parking area and green space. 

The contemporary architectural style incorporates “elements that reflect the cultural character of AsiaTown,” says Sunda Tan.