3 episodes
Views from Chinatown Vicki Chau & Gabriel Yee
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- Society & Culture
Chinatowns are found all over the world, initially a space for Chinese immigrants to create a safe community to connect, while transitioning to a new culture. These spaces have evolved over time, becoming hubs for diversity and inclusion. Many documentaries and podcasts have focused on the rich history of these communities, but we are focussing on the unique voices that have been unheard in the overall Chinatown story.
This podcast series features a new generation of voices that have greatly contributed to Calgary's Chinatown and cultural landscape. We will hear what it’s like growing up in Calgary’s Chinatown, how it has adapted to the pressures of modern society, and what the future holds for this constantly evolving community. These are our views from Chinatown.
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Nhi Tran & Tanner Ennis (Paper Lantern)
Born and raised in Calgary, Nhi’s parents were Vietnamese refugees who had lived in Chinatown when they first immigrated to Calgary. In 2020, Nhi and her partner Tanner opened up the first Vietnamese cocktail bar in Calgary’s Chinatown on the same street where her parents once lived. As the newest members of the community, they will speak on how they had overcome challenges of opening a bar during the COVID-19 pandemic, their future goals and ideals for the community, and what they believe will be the transition to the “new normal” for Calgary’s Chinatown, post-pandemic.
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Su Ying Strang (The New Gallery)
Su Ying Strang is a Chinese American artist and cultural worker that was based in Mohkinstsis/Calgary. Originally hailing from the Southern United States, Strang relocated to Canada in 2006 to pursue her education at the Alberta College of Art + Design (now AUArts). She was the Director of The New Gallery, an artist-run, non-profit centre for contemporary art located in Calgary's Chinatown, and will speak about redefining the organization's role in being a good neighbour and active participant in today’s community, and how they have adapted through various art-based initiatives.
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Raymond Lau (Golden Inn)
Raymond Lau is the oldest of three brothers born and raised in Calgary. In 1977, his parents opened the doors to Golden Inn - a Cantonese restaurant known for its delicious dishes and late night hours of operation. Following the devastating flood of 2013, Raymond and his brothers chose to rebuild the restaurant and continue their family's legacy. As someone who grew up in Chinatown, he will speak about the intergenerational relationships of the community that has formed over the decades, and how the community has evolved and adapted in the past to overcome challenges.