In My View: Resilience, Art and Migration (Asian Heritage Month)

In this lively one hour event, a panel of celebrated cultural leaders and award winning artists come together to discuss how they've navigated and succeeded in the world of performing arts. Moderator Jasmine Chen will be asking Writer/Director/Musician Romeo Candido, Choreographer/OAYSIS Studios Founder Ming-Bo Lam, and Artistic Leader/Theatre Artist Miriam Fernandes about their journeys in building their own platforms and amplifying the voices of their communities. They will share their insights and experiences in how resilience has enabled them to adapt, particularly during the pandemic, which has threatened the survival of the performing arts industry.

Grace Chan 陳凱琳: Time Changes Pace As a Young Mother 新手媽媽重編時間步伐

We sat down with Hong Kong-born and Vancouver-raised actress, entrepreneur and stylish mom, Grace Chan, to learn more about how this turbulent year has led her to reflect on time as a young mother of two. Grace and celebrity husband Kevin Cheng gave birth to a second son during the pandemic in 2020. Read here for Grace Chan's personal story of learning her new identity as a mother.

Personal StoriesFête ChinoiseMay 7, 2021CelebrityComment

TIFF 2021 Asian Heritage Month Programming: Asia Unbound

In honour of Asian Heritage Month in May, TIFF will be highlighting excellence in Asian cinema. The month-long programme, Asia Unbound, focuses on youthful narratives that transcend borders, generations, memories, and identities. Films and digital events throughout the month feature well-known talent from the diaspora, emerging artists, and also renowned auteurs from the Asian continent. Through storytelling that is authentic, touching, humorous, and powerful, Asia Unbound intends to explore — and find inspiration in — the joys, fears, vulnerability, and in-betweenness that underscore Asian identity in today’s world.

Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseMay 5, 2021Film, Entertainment, TIFFComment

Mother's Day 2021 Gift Guide

In celebration of Mother's Day right around the corner, we hand-selected a collection of gifts for the incredible mothers in your life — whether it's your own mom, the mother of your child, or a friend who has been an inspiring mom model, this is a special day to pamper and recognize them. Especially as provinces across Canada are in extended lockdowns due to the pandemic, sending a gift and seeing each other online might be what many of us are doing this year. From local brands to our brand partners and fashion houses, see which ideas are our top picks this season!

Objects of DesireDeborah Lau-YuApril 29, 2021Gifts, GiftingComment

Toronto’s Yueh Tung Restaurant: Mother's Day 2021 Gift Set

Yueh Tung Restaurant released their Mother’s Day Gift Set in support of Asian owned female operated local businesses whose shops have been affected by COVID-19. For each set sold a portion of proceeds will go towards the #StopAsianHate Movement and donated to the non-profit organization, Chinese Collective Arts Association.

Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseApril 27, 2021Mark Your CalendarComment

"Double Happiness": How the Discovery of a Head Tax Certificate Unlocked Two Families’ Stories

Chinatowns across North America are fighting for their survival. Long before the pandemic hit, Vancouver’s Chinatown was desperately trying to stave off gentrification. It seemed like there was no end to the condo developments and hipster bars that were slowly pushing longtime residents out, and erasing the rich cultural history of the area. When singer songwriters Robyn Jacob and Nancy Tam created Double Happiness: Detour This Way, a live music and theatre show that retraces the legacy of the Chinese diaspora in Vancouver, it only made sense to premiere it in the heart of Chinatown. But too quickly, the pandemic ordered the show to close early, and along with it, all of Chinatown’s businesses. It was a devastating blow.

Personal Stories, Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseApril 14, 2021Entertainment, ArtComment

Behind the Mystery of Art for New Collectors

For many people, the art market is mysterious and unfamiliar. At the same time, collecting art is a very attractive hobby, especially when factoring in the concept of investing in art that grows in value over time. The publicity and marketing of auction companies has opened the door to many new collectors, allowing them to get in touch with works of art one step at a time. So how does one begin collecting art and building a collection? What should you pay attention to when you start your personal collection? Let us explore the definition of collection and collections, and share some reference strategies for buying art.

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseApril 14, 2021artComment

The 3 Essential Films by Wong Kar-wai on Language and (Mis)Communication [This article may contain spoilers]

In almost a full year devoid of going to the cinema and in times when we feel disconnected with the outside world, Carson Chow has been thinking about Wong Kar-wai’s films more than ever. Here is his pick for Wong Kar-wai’s 3 most essential films on language and (mis)communication. These three films depict the modern issue of lack of human connection and communication, it reaches through generations and histories and across harbours and cinematic traditions to better elucidate the here and especially the now. In times like now, there’s nothing that makes more sense than to watch or think about Wong Kar-wai’s films.

Fête ChinoiseApril 8, 2021Film, EntertainmentComment

A Role Within A Role – Exploring Anna May Wong Through Photography

Anna May Wong was born in Los Angeles in 1905 to second-generation immigrants and has quite an inspirational story. May found herself excluded from Chinese theatre, given her "Americanness" and similarly, Americans found her too Chinese for specific roles. May was no stranger to that universal feeling that many diasporas must confront – being stuck between multiple identities. Yinsey Wang explores her legacy through her primary art medium, self-portraiture photography, to feel connected with the diaspora experience in this unique way.

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseApril 7, 2021Entertainment, film, art, film reviewComment

Identity in Uncertain Times

I think at some point, every 2nd Generation immigrant is questioned about their identity. No better example comes from the cliché, “Where do you come from?”. We are asked this from childhood and are often confused by the follow-up question, “No, where are you REALLY from?”. As we grew older, it became a complex emotional response that I, at least, almost never vocalized. This year, by some unintentional force of nature, is our moment where we embrace who we are.

Wellness Tips to Feel Good & Manage the ‘New Normal’

Bonnie Chan entered Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant and won first runner-up. She later moved to Hong Kong and competed in the Miss Hong Kong, winning second runner-up in 2016. Soon after earning her title, she became a television host in the fast-paced television industry. With everything that is happening today, she created a platform, MindBonnieSoul, to spread encouragement and support for others to be well, especially during these challenging times. We have invited her to share her expert tips on health and wellness for readers to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

Personal Stories, Food and LifestyleFête ChinoiseMarch 30, 2021Fashion, beauty, GiftsComment

Florasis: Beauty Steeped in Culture《花西子：懷少年初心，敬百年匠心》

Beauty is often thought of as being only skin deep, but the products we are inspired to use are often steeped in culture and craftsmanship. How are Chinese brands growing and expanding into the global market? In this article (link in bio), learn more about the inspiration, culture and business of Florasis, a relatively new and highly successful cosmetic brand. We will discover how it intersects tradition, culture, art and beauty in a way that has captured the hearts of many discerning consumers and the Chinese community globally.

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseMarch 25, 2021Fashion, beauty, GiftsComment