Swinging Chinatown: The Golden Age of Chinese Nightclubs' Opening Gala is Thursday, February 11, 2010

I always love learning about the history of things, and burlesque is no different. So when I received word that there would be an exhibit about Chinese nightclubs in San Francisco in days of yore, I couldn't resist posting about it!

For the next two weekends, you can learn about Noel Toy Young, the "Chinese Sally Rand." Or Paul Wing, the "Chinese Fred Astaire." You'll also be able to view photographs, costumes, and other items.

The exhibit is open on the weekends of February 12 and 19, and it will be at the Old Mint. Here are all of the details:

Swinging Chinatown Exhibit
Friday February 12 to Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday February 19 to Sunday, February 21, 2010
12 Noon to 5 PM
The Old Mint
88 Fifth Street
San Francisco

Presented in collaboration with the Chinese Historical Society of America.

From the late 1930s to the early 1960s, Chinese nightclubs flourished in San Francisco's Chinatown. Clubs like the Chinese Skyroom, the Shangri-La, and the Forbidden City, were the first - and in those days the only - venues for talented Asian performers.

Swinging Chinatown brings back to life a long-neglected slice of Asian-American history. The exhibit will feature over 100 vintage photographs, dancer Ellen Chin's costumes and gold dancing shoes, Tony Wing's tap shoes, and menus, napkins and other mementos from several famous nightclubs. Immerse yourself in a bygone era, when celebrities and visitors of all stripes were entertained by Larry Ching, "the Chinese Frank Sinatra;" Noel Toy Young, "the Chinese Sally Rand;" and Paul Wing, the "Chinese Fred Astaire." The exhibit will feature vintage photographs, costumes, dancing shoes, menus, napkins and other mementos from famous nightclubs. Swinging Chinatown is co-curated by SFMHS associate curator Kristin Morris and historian Trina Robbins, author of Forbidden City: The Golden Age of Chinese Nightclubs.

Tickets: $5 SFMHS and CHSA members, $10 non-members, $3 for students

On Thursday, February 11, there will be an opening night gala event at the Old Mint. Ben Fong-Torres the rock journalist will emcee, and a troupe of former nightclub dancers, the Grant Avenue Follies, will perform. Information about the gala and some repeat information about the exhibit is below:

The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (SFMHS) in collaboration with the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) presents Swinging Chinatown: The Golden Age of Chinese Nightclubs.

This rare exhibit features vintage photographs, costumes and memorabilia of the exciting and glamorous days of the Chinese American nightclub scene.

The exhibit opens with a glittering cocktail celebration at the Old Mint. Bay Area author and personality Ben Fong-Torres will be the master of ceremonies for the evening that includes a performance by the “Grant Avenue Follies,” a troupe of former nightclub dancers. Trina Robbins, author of Forbidden City: The Golden Age of Chinese Nightclubs, will be present and signing copies of her book. President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, David Chiu, will also make opening remarks to commence the exhibit.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

The exhibition will be open to the public February 12-15 and February 19-21 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Admission is $5 for SFMHS and CHSA members, $10 for non-members, $3 for students

The Opening Night Gala and Exhibit are part of the Asian Art Museum’s Shanghai Celebration (http://www.shanghaicelebration.com).


TICKETS

Tickets to the Opening Night Gala are $85 per person for SFMHS and CHSA members, $100 for non-members

Proceeds will benefit the exhibition and the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.sfhistory.org or call 415.537.1105 x100