Acclaimed dancer/choreographer Rie Okamoto will perform at A Night of Celebration, an event celebrating Chinese Valentine’s Day that stars an international lineup of performers on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Bennett Media Studio in the West Village.

Presenting the event is ASIANinNY.com, which celebrated its two-year anniversary earlier this week. Founder Diana Lee said, “ASIANinNY.com was created as the first Asian networking site for those living in New York. We are unique in that we provide literally all of the information that a person would need in living in New York City. We aim to connect Asian culture with those who are seeking to be a part of it.” Saturday’s event is produced with the help of 10 sponsors, including Asahi Breweries.

A Japanese native who appeared on Showtime at the Apollo and a notched a first place win at the NY Hip-hop Dance Convention, Okamoto was a natural choice to appear at A Night of Celebration, according to Lee. “We met Ms. Okamoto and are truly impressed with her dancing talent, so we approached and contacted her directly to include her in this celebration,” she said.

The night's MC will be stand-up comedian Esther Ku, a season six finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and a featured regular in the Boston International Comedy Festival and the New York Underground Comedy Festival. In addition to Okamoto, also on the bill are folkloric and gypsy dance group Kulakova Dance Troupe, featuring Russian-style gypsy choreography by the group’s creator, Julia Kulakova; the Exotic Experiment Band, which takes rock, funk, and electronic musical styles and adds exotic elements; and comedy from stand-up veterans Victor Chu and Chris Martin. Spinning music for the night will be recording artist DJ J4, who has released four rap albums with The Rock music production company in Taiwan.

“Our resources include all of the necessities in life in an effort to provide our own piece of Asia within New York,” Lee said. “The goal of ASIANinNY is to facilitate connection [and] become the premier online destination for networking in the Asian community and multicultural entertainment and through all the previous events we have hosted and participated.”

Recent Japan-related events promoted by ASIANinNY include Japan Day @ Central Park; Sankai Juku by The Joyce; Japan Town Cool Festival; Reni Mimura Cosplay; Jerry Bezdikian’s One Thousand Passions; JAPAN CUTS Film Festival at Japan Society; and Sunset Cinema Series. ASIANinNY’s own events attract an average of 400 people, and Lee is confident that A Night of Celebration will draw even more revelers on Saturday for a night packed with fine performances, great music, and amazing food and drink.

“This event is for anyone who loves entertainment, wants to meet new friends and is interested in Asian culture!” she said.

ASIANinNY.com presents A Night of Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 14, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Bennett Media Studio in New York City, 723 Washington Street (between West 11th and Bank Streets). Admission is $10 with an RSVP with full name and e-mail address sent to info@AsianinNY.com before midnight on Friday, Aug. 13, $15 at the door. For more information, visit www.asianinny.com/?p=7817.

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