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SF’s Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival Returns September 11-12

Lion dancing, a parade, live music, and a lively, colorful pedestrian bazaar is coming to Chinatown again
By - posted 8/19/2021 No Comment

Plagued by the pandemic, xenophobia, and crime, Chinatown has had one rough year. Nonetheless, tourists are starting to return and things are beginning to return to normal. To enliven their spirit, the community can look forward to its traditional annual Autumn Moon Festival.

Once again, the streets of historic Chinatown will be transformed into a lively, colorful pedestrian bazaar for the 31st Annual Autumn Moon Festival on September 11-12, 2021, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, produced by the Chinatown Merchants Association. For two days, Saturday and Sunday, San Francisco Chinatown on historic Grant Avenue from California to Broadway will be filled with attractive arts and crafts booths, live music, cultural performances, children’s activities, numerous food vendors, corporate sponsors and lion dancing.

The festivities open with a parade on Saturday at 11 am on California and Grant led by Mayor London Breed and other civic officials, beauty queens, cultural performers and lion dancers. Grant Avenue by Commercial will be transformed into a street stage for lively music, martial arts, and cultural performances. Entertainment coordinator, Max Leung, has recruited some fresh local Asian talent from the community to perform for the first time at the Autumn Moon Festival. The Chinese Youth Center will provide a variety of kids activities. Families will enjoy the presence of the Moon Goddess and God and Panda. There will be plenty of food vendors offering a variety of mooncakes, exotic food samplings, and other unique food products. The famous Dragon appears on Sunday at 5pm as the grand finale of the event.

Entertainment Highlights

Saturday, September 11th

  • 11:00am – 12:00pm California and Grant: Opening Parade and Ceremonies
  • 12:00pm – 4:40pm Continuous live entertainment and music performances
  • 4:40pm – 5:00pm LDM Lion Dancing

Sunday, September 12th

  • 10:00am – 11:00am Tai Chi Demonstrations
  • 11:00am -12:00pm White Crane Lion Dance/Martial Arts
  • 12:00pm – 12:45pm Ultra Word X-TET
  • 1:00pm -1:45pm Kultura Kapwa Kulintang Ensemble
  • 2:00pm -2:45pm Flying Angels Chinese Dance Group
  • 3:00pm -4:30pm Kelly Keys band with Flora Hui & Grant Ave Follies
  • 5:00pm Dragon Finale

2021 Performer Information

Yau Kung Moon Studio
Yau Kung Moon Richard Ow Kung Fu Association was established in 2000 by Grandmasters Wong Cheucng, Richard Van, Bill Lee and Lok Sang Lee. With over 35 years of training in martial arts, Richard Ow started this school to promote and maintain the traditions and values of traditional Chinese martial arts and lion dance to all age groups. The main goal is to bring out the best in his students and teach the importance of respect, humility, integrity, and hard work. Classes are held in Chinatown and in the Sunset.

The Complements
Comprised of best friends, Greg & Aleesha, their music has been described as “the sonic representation of a smile,” (LEX the lLexicon Artist)and as having “an expensive sound.” (Award-winning composer James Gardiner). They have traveled throughout the US and Canada and delighted audiences with their signature sound and arrangements. Greg is an LA native and is a classically trained pianist and self-taught guitarist. Aleesha grew up in Europe and Asia and has a musical theater background. Together they aim to spread a positive message through their music.

Chow Mane
Like a top chef, Chow Mane, rapper and producer, is known for his diverse, colorful and carefully crafted art. His sweet and sometimes bitter flavors of his music range from psychedelic and melodic to gritty and dissonant. Chow Mane combines infectious delivery, playful vocals, and complete soundscapes to create a tasteful balance between West Coast hip-hop and experimental pop.

Chino Yang
晓川哥 AKA Chino Yang is an established Chinese Rapper/restaurateur based in San Francisco. Growing up in the H.P project, ChinoYang had the privilege and blessing to develop a utterly unique identity. He is the definition of the American dream, he made it out of the hood without any gang affiliation or RAP sheets. His rap career took off after he went on the hottest show called Rap of China back in 2018. He competed in the show as the champion of North America. He’s toured 32 cities with his crew around the world. As a devoted Christian, he refuses to idolize and glorify gang culture as an artist.

Tony Martinez
Tony Martinez belongs to that generation of Cuban musicians formed at the end of the 20th century, under the rigorous school of Cuban classical music. Although classically trained, he was soon inclined to learn the rhythms of jazz, to which he has dedicated the last decade, combining these styles with traditional Cuban rhythms.

Ultra World X-TET
“If you’re into jazz/fusion with some world music twists, you’d be a fool to pass this up. Hip Bones features the fine saxophone and brilliant flute work of Gary Schwantes, supported by the melodically funky, loop-infused bass work of Shannon Hoover, and utterly tasteful grooves of Modern Drummer magazine contributor Robin Tolleson.” Tad Dickens, Roanoke Times.

Kultura Kapwa
“Kultura Kapwa” roughly translates to “being with others through culture”. Based in San Francisco’s Chinatown, this dynamic ensemble presents the pre-colonial music, dance, and regalia traditions of Mindanao, Southern Philippines. All trained in the traditional manner by the late Danongan Kalanduyan, Master Kulintang Artist, Maguindanao Culture Bearer and National Endowment for the Arts Fellow, the Kultura Kapwa musicians and dancers take pride in introducing people to the joyful and unifying power of tribal Philippine polyrhythmic percussion music and dance through their performances, educational presentations, workshops and school residencies.

The Flying Angels
The Flying Angels Chinese Dance Company, celebrates 30 years of entertaining audiences throughout the Bay Area! They are a company of dancers who love to entertain, educate and excite their audiences with their performances. Experience their passion for Chinese dance and their Asian heritage, reflected in their colorful mini-show presentation of Traditional, Contemporary and Original dances. Watch as Ancient stories come to life! Dancers of all ages will ignite your creativity and inspire you! Their school mission of “always leaving a place better than we got there” is reflected in their performance, professionalism and sense of community.