WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS SUMMER
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS SUMMER
By Gerrye Wong July 2022
Congratulations to San Francisco’s Chinese Historical Society of America, which this spring opened up the new exhibit, WE ARE BRUCE LEE – UNDER THE SKY, ONE FAMILY. The museum had been closed in 2021 due to the pandemic and readying itself for this new exhibit, so it was very exciting and exhilarating to see the CHSA museum open once again – and this time, in fast action much like Bruce Lee, to which the whole main floor of the museum is dedicated to.
With much news of new viruses of covid spreading, my family and I had not been to San Francisco’s Chinatown since the pandemic began. With anti Asian hate crimes abounding, we were all afraid of unexpected violence, and especially were my family afraid for me, their elderly paw paw, whom attackers seem to like to knock down. But we parked near the Chinese Historical Society of America museum on Clay Street, the old Julia Morgan designed former Chinatown YWCA, and hurried inside its safe confines.
All three generations knew something about Bruce Lee, but probably me the least. My son Mike had seen all of his movies, and third generation grandson Braden was intrigued with the information of how Bruce Lee had grown up in the Bay Area, and how his life evolved into being an actor.
At the museum, we saw rarely displayed artifacts including drawings and handwritten letters, historic photos, memorabilia, video and film, artwork and technology designed to create interactive stunning displays. When I had spoken earlier to Executive Director Justin Hooper about this exhibit, he said he hoped this exhibit would educate and unite people of all backgrounds to embrace the best qualities of themselves, just as Bruce Lee had done throughout his tragically short life. On the mezzanine was a spectacular Bruce Lee interactive photo exhibit, that one must see for themselves. Interesting fact I did glean out of an hour long tour of the exhibit, was this Bruce Lee quote: “What you habitually think largely determines what you will ultimately become.”
So whether you are a Kung Fu and Bruce Lee follower, the story line of his life was eye opening on how difficult it was for Chinese immigrants to find jobs faced with discrimination and prejudice, especially in the film world. We were fortunate to have Jeff Chinn, whose extensive collection on Lee was displayed for all to see, lead us around on a special tour so we could appreciate Chinn’s collection through learning the importance of each piece in the exhibit. Chinese Historical Society of America museum has different hours during pandemic so check before coming. www.chsa.org.
PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS MAGNIFICENT 2022 PRODUCTION
Laguna Beach is always besieged with tourists during the summer season, but it has a spectacular production which draws visitors from all over the world. This art phenomenon. is called PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS. After it had been suspended during covid years, the production opened this July 6, and I was honored to be invited to its VIP Preview opening Night. Celebrating its 90th year of presenting the Pageant, the theme of the presentation was named WONDERFUL WORLD, so the audience saw a theatrical travelogue of living art from around the globe.
It is hard to explain to a one time visitor of what to expect except to describe it as a production of “living pictures”. The Pageant has entertained audiences for 90 years with its unique performances of actors simulating famous paintings. When the curtains open on each scene, costumed persons stand still for over 30 seconds posing against a backdrop just like in the famous painting. Especially intriguing was the travel story to China, where in addition to the living pictures of a portrait of Eight Immortals, were live Lion Dancers frolicking on stage.
Audiences enjoy the ambiance of the outdoor Irvine Amphitheater while viewing these magical sequences, all performed by volunteers whose show raises funds for City of Laguna’s art programs. This unique art form of entertainment is truly magical in its formation with this year’s theme of travel around the world. Show continues through July and August, so if you can, try to catch this unique form of art in action. The Festival of Arts is in the entry section of the area, with over 200 juried artists displaying their works, and musical groups provide a wonderful backdrop for viewers and diners who enjoy the venue for a truly remarkable southern California adventure. I highly recommend to all. We enjoyed the outdoor afternoon and evening art and music in many forms at the Pageant of the Masters grounds.
CHI AM CIRCLE VISITS CHINESE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN SAN JOSE
Was privileged to welcome fellow Chi Am Circle members and guests to the CHINESE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM for one of the club’s “pop up” gatherings. This Asian American women’s group has a full schedule of monthly activities, but when special interests arrive, the active group offers “pop up” activities on request. This group of over 100 members, was founded in 1965 by a group of ten women, of which I am proud to say I was one, and has been an active service group for fun loving community minded Asian American women in Silicon Valley. Through the years, there has grown a deep bond and comradery between its members as they work on non-profit pursuits as volunteers.
Chairman Aimee Yan asked me if I would lead a tour of my Chinese Historical and Cultural Project’s museum building in History San Jose park and of course, I am always eager to share Santa Clara Valley’s history of Chinese Americans anytime. So just last week, we welcomed 30 interested visitors to the Chinese American Historical Museum.
Many came, they told me, because they wanted to learn about the history of the Chinese in Santa Clara Valley. Of course, we of the CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT, which built the museum and gifted it to the city of San Jose in 1991, are always pleased to welcome groups so we can share our knowledge of preserving and presenting Chinese American history.
Thanks to Aimee Yan, who organized the group visit for Chi Am Circle members and guests, and to my fellow CHCP docents Brenda Wong, Debbie Gong-Guy and Anita Kwock who guided the tour group, and helped me prepare a special welcome lunch for our visitors. If any of your groups would like to visit this Museum, please contact us to make special arrangements for a special tour. We’d love to welcome your families, business groups, or organizations visit our museum because unfortunately, few American history books tell the stories of Chinese pioneers and their contributions to America’s history. This Chinese American Historical Museum concentrates on the lives of Chinese pioneers who came in the mid 1800s, suffered through the purging and fires of four Chinatowns in the 1880s, and continues the stories of Chinese citizens of the valley through to the present. The crowning jewel of the museum is the historic gilded gold altar, one of the finest and last standing historic Chinese altars in the United States today. Check website for further information on visits. www.chcp.org.
NEW BOOK ON ASIAN AMERICANS IN SILICON VALLEY
Many new good books on Asian American experiences on the market today, but here is one with a local angle. Dr. Allan Seid played a very instrumental role in gathering Asian American colleagues to speak up for issues affecting this ethnic population as far back as the 1980s. He was a key member of the founding group for the organization Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) which began as a volunteer group and rose to now be the largest human services agency for AAPI and other immigrant and refugee groups in Santa Clara County.
As the author of this book ASIAN AMERICANS BUILDING A BETTER NATION WITH COURAGE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, he describes how and why the group began, and its progress through the years. His mission, as told in the book, was to show how the power and effectiveness of a collective of community organizations united should and can successfully address common causes.
Costs: $45 plus s & h. Orders via Zelle at 650 464 9895 of directly to Allan Seid, 850 Webster St., #734, Palo Alto, CA 94301
LET’S GO TO THE SYMPHONY
San Francisco Symphony’s Calendar of events for next week brings lighthearted and nostalgic songs for a great evening out. July 28-29, the wildly popular PINK MARTINI group is back in town with the fusion of cabaret, samba, retro pop and jazz which I have always found to be lively, toe tapping and fun to witness and listen to. Another old favorite songstress is spotlighted for one night performance July 30 – titled An Evening with Bernadette Peters, will showcases music from her Broadway shows and Grammy award winning albums. If you like old favorites from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and others, this concert would be an enjoyable night out for you at San Francisco’s beautiful Louise Davies concert hall.
