MotivAsians for Cleveland Taste of Asia John Carroll University November 15, 2025
MotivAsians for Cleveland is a non-profit organization established to cultivate a vibrant Asian community for Greater Cleveland by promoting the attraction and retention of Asian-American professionals. They also welcome people of all backgrounds to join to learn about the Asian culture.
They hosted their second annual Taste of Asia gala banquet in the Dolan center of John Carroll University on Saturday November 15, 2025. Before dinner their was a networking hour that included activities such as Calligraphy demonstration and Henna art along with appetizers. The gala banquet featured culinary creations from several Asian restaurants of NE Ohio. Throughout the evening attendees could bid on items from the Gift Basket Raffle/Auction.
Calligraphy Demonstration
Gabriel Kramer of Ideastream served as MC for the event. Gabe is of Filipino heritage and welcomed the crowd and then introduced MotivAsians president Cynthia Bellian who thanked her team and gave background on the group. Then the other MotivAsians board members introduced themselves.
Gabriel Kramer
Cynthia Bellian
Greg Tchou
Yining Lin
Ayse Selen Zarrelli
Linh Huynh
Flora Mark
MotivAsians Board of Directors
Watch a video of the MotivAsians board members.
The first performance was by Pacific Paradise Entertainment who performed Polynesian dances.
Pacific Paradise Entertainment
Next was Shojoji Japanese Dancers who performed Japanese folk dances.
Shojoji Japanese Dancers
Author Melody Chu told about the writing of her first novel, Mathey Girls. Mathey Girls is a heartfelt, moving novel about a Chinese American woman coming to terms with the evolving nature of family, friendship, and grief after the loss of her best friend. She also read a few pages from the book.
Melody Chu
Ladies from the Cleveland Phoenix Club performed a traditional Chinese Fan Dance.
Cleveland Phoenix Club
MC Gabriel Kramer introduced artist Jordan Wong (Wongface) who told about his many projects.
Jordan Wong
Then Cleveland Phoenix Club returned and performed a traditional Chinese Folk Dance that invited audience participation.
Cleveland Phoenix Club
Two ladies from Cleveland Bollywood performed an Indian Bollywood dance.
Cleveland Bollywood
Next, three men from Viva Dance Studio's Malevo Dance Team (located in AsiaTown) performed a Bachata dance. Bachata is a genre of music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the 20th century.
Viva Dance Studio's Malevo Dance Team
MC Gabriel Kramer grabbed a ukulele and was joined by guitarist Chris Dudley for a couple of Filipino folk songs to close out the performances.
Gabriel Kramer and Chris Dudley
Chair Cynthia Bellian thanked the sponsors, attendees and volunteers as well as MC Gabriel Kramer in her closing remarks and the festivities continued.
Gabriel Kramer and Cynthia Bellian
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