The Dallas Asian American Art Collective Hosts Mini Asian Texan Music Festival
Written by Samantha Firmin | September 13, 2025
Dallas, TX - Texas is home to the third largest Asian population in the country,” shared Christina Hahn, founder of the Dallas Asian American Art Collective (DAAART Club) and birthday celebrant of the night. She addressed a room full of artists, musicians, and individuals from diverse backgrounds, gathered inside the cozy venue of Opening Bell Coffee, located within the basement of Southside on Lamar. Everyone came together to celebrate and support a meaningful cause.
Opening Bell Coffee
On September 13, DAAART Club hosted a mini music festival doubling as a fundraiser for the Museum of Asian Texans (MAT). While technically a birthday party for Hahn, the night spotlighted larger themes: cultural preservation, resistance, and visibility.
“In this climate, preserving our history is not just remembering—it’s resisting. Every artifact in our archive, every story on our walls, is a refusal to be erased. Building this museum is bigger than just us, it’s creating a legacy that will last.” Hahn read aloud from a letter by Stephanie Drenka, co-founder of MAT. “Help us sustain a space where our communities can see themselves reflected. Help shift the narrative from invisibility to power.”
Money raised that night went directly toward sustaining MAT’s mission of preserving and amplifying the histories and lived experiences of Asian Texans for past, present, and future generations. The museum, which includes an archive, gallery, library, and resident artist spaces, opened its doors earlier this year.
Beyond DAAART Club, Hahn champions the AAPI creative community through her work as the Creative Director of the Dallas Asian American Historical Society (DAAHS), the organization responsible for founding and operating MAT. Her dedication was felt throughout the night, as she welcomed guests into a space that was inclusive, alive with creativity, and full of community.
After the speech and a birthday cake presentation, the night continued with what DAAART Club does best: showcasing local talent and giving artists a stage to share their voices. Curated by Jerry X. Zeng, the lineup featured performances by Kit Mallari, Aakash Sridhar, Ippi, Nyckolle Gutierrez, JONAVI, and Andy Yu. Each performance was met with warm applause from an audience that could enjoy the show from anywhere in the intimate space.
As performances concluded, chairs were cleared, and the dimly lit coffee shop transformed into a dance floor for the afterparty. DJs 3rd State and Jerry X. Zeng kept the energy alive, while others explored MAT, which opened specially for this event. The gallery featured an exhibition titled Transient Recollections by Texan artist Mathew Jones. The upcoming exhibit, set to open in mid-October, will spotlight South Asian artists and explore the complexities of South Asian diaspora and identity.
“I think it’s important that we are making sure all groups are at the forefront and get their time to shine. [We’re] trying to build bridges within our own communities and then use that to build across multiracial lines as well,” Hahn explained while giving a personal tour of the space.
MAT’s archives also included pieces of Dallas’ often-overlooked Asian American history, such as an old photograph of Joe Yee Cafe, once located in the heart of Dallas proper. Despite being home to a significant portion of the state’s Asian population, Dallas often takes a backseat compared to Houston, which has broader recognition. This under-recognition underscores the importance of organizations like DAAART Club and MAT, which provide a hub for North Texas Asians to feel connected and acknowledged.
Through workshops, arts opportunities, and public educational programming, DAAART Club and the Museum of Asian Texans are not only remembering history but also laying the foundations for lasting change. Community members can support these initiatives by following, donating, and engaging with the collective. As the DAAART Club website emphasizes: There are infinite ways to be Asian American and creative.
The future of Asian Americans in North Texas is bright. By continuing to uplift stories and share diverse experiences, the community actively works to redefine the current narrative so that more and more people can feel like they belong.
Find Out More About Dallas Asian American Art Collective & Museum of Asian Texans:
Instagram: @daaartclub & @museumasiantexans
Website: daaart.org & museumasiantexans.org
