High Line Art and Roxy Cinema New York present the New York premiere of artist Luka Yuanyuan YANG's (ACC 2017) feature film, Chinatown Cha-Cha. Following the screening, Yang will sit down to speak about her work with Xiaoyu Weng, artistic director of Tanoto Art Foundation.

At the remarkable age of 92, Coby Yee, a former starlet and owner of the illustrious “Forbidden City Nightclub,” reclaimed her place in the spotlight with the senior dance troupe, Grant Avenue Follies. Led by Cynthia Yee, the ensemble brings to life the luminous nightclub era of San Francisco’s Chinatown, simultaneously shattering the conventional image of aging Asian women. Their transnational tour across the US, Cuba, and China unfurls an exploration of diasporic Chinese entertainment and a profound understanding of their own Chinese American identities. In Havana, their co-performance with local Chinese Opera singers sparked a vibrant renaissance in the city’s dwindling Chinese community. An emotive journey back to her father’s homeland in China gave Coby a chance to reflect on familial memories and observe the startling transformation of urban landscapes. The film stands as a poignant chronicle of Coby’s final journey before her passing at 93, preserving her indomitable spirit. Meanwhile, the Grant Avenue Follies dance on, carrying the torch of their shared heritage.

Tales of Chinatown, a solo exhibition of Yang’s short films from this same body of work, is currently on view on the High Line. The exhibition includes three of Yang’s short films: Cantonese Tunes on Mott Street (2022), The Lady From Shanghai (2019), and Tales of Chinatown (2019). By following her protagonists on the streets, through their communities, and into their homes, the artist amplifies the voices of those often denied the chance to share their own stories—individuals who have been forgotten, silenced, or misinterpreted. Tales of Chinatown screens daily on the High Line at 14th Street, from 5pm until the park closes. More information here.