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PRESS RELEASE
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco’s Harmony & Bliss 2023 Gala Celebrates 58 Years of Community Advocacy with "Electric Encounters"
San Francisco, CA – September 7, 2023 – The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) is excited to announce its much-anticipated annual gala, "Harmony & Bliss 2023," marking 58 remarkable years of community advocacy and empowerment through art and artists. The event will take place tomorrow, Friday, September 8, 2023 at the historic Far East Cafe in Chinatown at 5 PM. This year's gala, themed "Electric Encounters," promises to be a celebration of trailblazers and the transformative power of the arts.
The "Electric Encounters" theme aims to capture the sparks of connection, inspiration, and innovation that have fueled the Chinese Culture Center's mission for nearly six decades. This event will offer attendees the unique opportunity to experience and honor the organization's journey and its profound impact on San Francisco in post-pandemic recovery and the art and creativity that inspires, connects, and shifts narratives.
The CCC Gala will also honor visionaries who have shaped the course of change and progress:
San Francisco District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan will be bestowed with the Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to Asian American advocacy and community-building. In partnership with API Council, Chan successfully created legislation and secured $30 million in the API Equity Fund that will provide funding for nonprofits for land acquisition, capital improvement projects, and capacity building in San Francisco in order to gain economic stability and remain rooted in the communities they serve. The legislation is co-sponsored by President Aaron Peskin and former Supervisor Gordon Mar.
Journalist David Louie, a pioneering figure in media, will receive the Lifetime Achievement in Community Building Award. Louie was one of the first Asian American broadcast reporters in the Bay Area. After five decades reporting, Louie finally retired last year. Louie's influential work in media has illuminated critical social issues and amplified underrepresented voices, making a lasting impact on our Bay Area community.
The late Bernice Bing, an iconic trailblazing artist and arts advocate, will receive the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. Born in Chinatown in 1936, Bing went on to study at California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC). She is often credited for using art to bridge the East and West cultures. Affectionately known as Bingo by her peers, Bing's legacy in pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and advocating for inclusivity has left an indelible mark on the arts community.
The Chinese Culture Center extends an invitation to the media, distinguished guests, and the public to join in this momentous celebration. For more information, please visit https://www.cccsf.us/gala
Taking place concurrently at the Chinese Culture Center is a new, multidisciplinary exhibition entitled Present Tense 2023: Perilous Playground. Guest curated by C & G Artpartment, formerly of Hong Kong, the exhibition presents innovative work in film, video, new media, sculpture, and mixed media by both local and international artists from the U.S., Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. The artists and art collectives address urban histories and spaces as SF’s Chinatown prepares for the renovation of Portsmouth Square. The exhibit will be available August 25, 2023 - August 10, 2024. Gallery hours are Tuesdays – Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny St., 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA. Admission to the gallery is free.
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