We were at the end of the parade, but the beginning of change
Two upcoming Chinatown Together events and free tickets to see Big Fight in Little Chinatown
WE MARCHED! And it was all thanks to the overwhelming support from YOU! 🌈🐲
Thank you, thank you, thank you to every single person who supported and amplified us.
It’s been an absolute honour for Chinatown Together to march side-by-side in solidarity @queerlunarnewyear, the first visible queer and trans parade contingent ever, and everyone who showed up for us on Sunday.
While we still haven’t received an apology for the constant back-and-forth and harm (inviting us to join, rejecting us, accepting us, rejecting us again, inferring queer folx are negative press) from the parade committee, we hope to march again next year with less humiliation and more communication from the parade committee.
The team is still recovering from endless all-nighters last week, so we’ll keep it short:
For the 50th anniversary of Vancouver Chinatown’s Spring Festival Parade, we brought the representation, we brought the fire, we brought the 熱鬧 yeet lau!!!
Though they placed us at the end of the parade, we know we are the beginning of change.
Never be afraid of belonging to your own community, just because you’re queer or outspoken. You belong. We all do.
Snapshots, videos, and stories from the march here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Pssst….We run out of funding in July
It’s true, we’re run out of funding to put on events in July with no secured sources of funding on the horizon, so we need your help to keep things going. If you love the free and inclusive public cultural events that we host in Chinatown, please consider donating!
Tea and Paint Lanterns for Lantern Festival 元宵節 (Sat, Feb 24 1pm)
Join us for an unforgettable Tea & Paint event, taking a stand against the gentrification of Chinatown. This will be our third installation, featuring local artist and friend @Lucky.Munyi.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 24th, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, coinciding with the 元宵節 Yuan Xiao Jie, also known as the Lantern Festival, where we celebrate the first full moon of the 2024 lunar new year.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this guided watercolour class, where @Lucky.Munyi will provide painting instructions. In line with the Lantern Festival theme, we will be painting lanterns and florals. After the guided session, you'll have the opportunity for free-style painting, allowing your creativity to flourish. All necessary painting supplies will be provided, along with a wide selection of teas to keep your hydrated while you flex your art skills.
Instructions will be available in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. This is a mask mandatory event.
This event is supported by the City of Vancouver.
Free Big Fight in Little Chinatown film tickets if you volunteer! (Sat, Feb 24 6pm)
We’ll be exhibiting Chinatown Together at the KDocs Film Festival, Vancouver’s premier social justice film festival where they’ll be playing Big Fight in Little Chinatown on Sat, Feb 24 at 6pm with a post-screening panel.
We’re looking for two volunteers to help us exhibit before the film at 5pm and after the film. You’ll receive a free ticket to see the film if you volunteer with us!
If you can volunteer, please hit reply to this email.
If you’d like to just watch the film, get tickets here.
Harmony in the Courtyard: Tai Chi Workshop with Mrs. Ma (Sat Mar 9)
Come get your body moving at our Tai Chi workshop led by Chinatown elder and longtime activist, Mrs. Ma!
Date and time: March 9, 2024 - 2:00PM-3:00PM
Place: Sun Yat Sent Courtyard, Chinatown
Please note that this will be located at the free Sun Yat-Sen Courtyard (not the paid Garden). The entrance is located on Carrall St.
This event is for all ages and will take place in the Sun Yat Sen Courtyard.
Interpretation for instructions will be provided in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
This event is supported by Vancouver Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants and Vancouver Parks Board.