Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Saratoga

Description

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration on September 18
The Mid-Autumn Festival will include a special lecture, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and more on September 18 from 1:00-4 PM at the Saratoga History Museum. The festival is free and produced by the Organization of Chinese American Women, Silicon Valley Chapter.

According to Saratoga Historical Foundation President Annette Stransky, "We are proud to host the third Mid-Autumn Festival with the OCAW. The program makes an interesting day for all ages with lovely music, dancing and arts and crafts. In particular I am looking forward to hearing the presentation of Connie Young Yu on "Digging in Chinatown."

Historian and Author Connie Young Yu will give a presentation at 1:00 PM on "Digging to Chinatown, the story of Asian exclusion." On May 4, 1887, San Jose, one of the largest Chinatowns in West was destroyed by arson in the furor of the anti-Chinese movement. The Chinese refused to be driven out. Their friend and ally, John Heinlen, fought opposition from an angry city to build a new Chinatown on his property. Surrounded by an eight foot-high fence, Heinlenville was a unique community of merchants and families. It was the home base for Chinese workers throughout the valley, who came to celebrate feast days and worship at the splendid Taoist temple.

A Japantown grew next to Heinlenville, and the two communities coexisted amicably. But with the restrictions on Chinese labor, the Chinatown finally ended in 1931. It was buried and forgotten until a redevelopment project for Japantown began in 2007. Archaeologists uncovered the brick foundations of a pioneer village. Artifacts and testimonies of descendants reveal that the roots of the Asian American community can be traced to Heinlen's Chinatown.

Through historic photographs, footage of the excavation and interviews, "Digging to Chinatown" is the story of people's struggle against Asian exclusion.

Many activities
The Mid-Autumn Festival will also include music by the California Youth Chinese Symphony using Chinese musical instruments; dancing performance by the Oriental Chinese Dance Art institute; calligraphy demonstration by the Huafeng Chinese Calligraphy Association; singing by the Colorful Universe Children’s Singing Troupe; sugar painting by artist Shuchen Buchko; story telling and more. Many arts and crafts opportunities for children will also be available including a game with prizes.
The Saratoga History Museum is located at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga, CA. http://www.saratogahistory.com or 408-867-4311.

More Info

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http://www.saratogahistory.com

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408.867.4311 (Box Office)

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