Taste of Toj Roob returns Saturday at UW-Stevens Point

STEVENS POINT - Discover the culture and foods of Southeast Asia at the 17th annual “Taste of Toj Roob — The Mountains: Fine Arts,” sponsored by the Hmong and Southeast Asian American Club student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

A celebration of Hmong culture, the event will be held Saturday in the Laird Room of the Dreyfus University Center, 1015 Reserve St., Stevens Point. The program begins at 5 p.m., featuring keynote speaker Fue Yang, a graphic designer and artist. A Southeast Asian dinner and fashion show will be followed by student entertainment. Also attending is artist Hua Moua Conry, who will offer Hmong crafts for sale.

Reserved seats for the dinner are available in advance for $12.50 for general admission and $10.50 for UW-Stevens Point students, faculty and staff. Groups of eight or more are $10.50 per person, and children under age 10 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the University Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center or by calling 800-838-3378. Tickets at the door are $15.50.

Yang is a senior designer and web developer for the Waukesha County Government Center. He also created “Mai-Mai,” a Hmong cartoon character featured nationwide in Hmoob Teen Magazine. He co-owns Fresh Imprints LLC, an apparel and screen-printing company in Milwaukee. Through his work, he hopes to bridge the gap between old and new generations and inspire and create art that reflects his Southeast Asian heritage. He holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.

HaSEAAC promotes awareness and provides understanding of the Hmong and Southeast Asian culture to UW-Stevens Point and the local community through personal experience, knowledge and/or historical understanding. For more information, email haseaac@uwsp.edu.