SAVANNAH — Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Armstrong State University will present the 2016 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival, one of the South’s largest Asian celebrations, on April 15 and 16.

All events will take place at Armstrong’s main campus at 11935 Abercorn St. in Savannah. The festival is free and open to the public.

"We are honored to co-host the Savannah Asian Cultural Festival on our campus for a second consecutive year," said Armstrong President Linda M. Bleicken. The 2016 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival will bring Asia to coastal Georgia and feature various cultures, cuisines and performances. Festivities kick off at 7:30 p.m. that Friday with a performance of dance and music from seven Asian countries at the Armstrong Fine Arts Auditorium.

The next day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival will offer performances as well as a selection of cuisine from local restaurants featuring favorites from Polynesia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Korea. The main stage on Armstrong’s Burnett Lawn will host a range of live performances, from Japanese taiko drumming to taekwondo martial arts exhibitions. Chinese, Thai, Korean and Indian dance will be showcased throughout the day.

In addition, a cultural marketplace will offer the opportunity to learn more about each country and discover traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. This year, the festival will offer free yoga, meditation, tai chi, belly dancing and Indian dance classes in Armstrong’s International Gardens.