Grant Avenue Follies bring to life the legacy of San Francisco Chinatown’s golden nightclub era (1940’s to 1970’s). Originally comprised of four retired dancers of the nightclubs, they were following doctor’s orders to exercise for improved physical health. The Follies rediscovered the sheer joy and freedom of dance and reconnected with their roots. They give performances for benefits and at senior retirement homes to show “just because you’re retired, you don’t have to stay in your pajamas all day!”

 

The Follies enjoy a loyal following of seniors, many of whom frequented the Chinatown nightclubs such as the Forbidden City, Chinese Sky Room and Shanghai Low.  Furthermore, the younger generation is also taking an interest in their unique place in San Francisco Chinatown’s history.

 

In 2021, the Follies performed the "Gai Mou Sou Rap" to stand against Anti-Asian hate crimes. Their music video went viral, receiving international attention and was featured in many film festivals. The Follies have since appeared in Steve Harvey's show, "Steve on Watch." A collaboration with AARP led to another viral video, "That Lunar Cheer,” and a national TV appearance on Mario Lopez's Access Daily Show. In 2024, the PBS arts + culture primetime documentary series, The Express Way with Dulé Hill featured the Grant Avenue Follies in their California episode.

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About Grant Avenue Follies

Known affectionately as the "Rapping Grannies," the Grant Avenue Follies will take the stage at the SUPER FLEX opening kick-off with a performance that calls back to Chinatown’s golden nightclub era. Through movement and dance, the Follies’ performance celebrates multigenerational joy and delight.

 

都板街鬧劇團將三藩市華埠夜店盛行的黃金時代重新呈現眼前(1940年代至1970年代)。劇團原本由四名曾在夜店任職的退休舞蹈員組成，他們跟從醫生的指引，多運動，保持活躍，來改善身體健康。成團後，團員會重拾舞蹈最純粹的快樂和自由，亦重新找到他們的根源。他們為慈善演出，在養老院向長者們展示”就算退休了，也不代表每天只能穿著睡衣過活!”

 

團員們有一群忠實的資深粉絲，他們很多曾經都是華埠夜店的常客，例如是紫禁城夜總會、大觀旅館和上海樓。與此同時，年輕一代對於這些夜店，在三藩市華埠歷史上佔有的獨特地位感興趣。

 

2021年，鬧劇團表演”雞毛掃說唱”，強烈譴責針對亞裔的仇恨犯罪。他們的音樂錄影帶在網絡上走紅，在國際間獲得關注，並在多個電影節上播放。鬧劇團曾出現在Steve Harvey的節目 - “Steve on Watch”。而與AARP合作的”That Lunar Cheer”，又造就了另一段熱門視頻 ，鬧劇團在Mario Lopez主持的一個全國節目”Access Daily Show”中亮相。2024年，PBS藝術+文化黃金時段紀錄片系列，”The Express Way with Dulé Hill”的加州特輯中，介紹了都板街鬧劇團。

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都板街歌舞女團，他們亦被稱為“說唱婆婆”，將會現身「蓄勢待發」藝術節開幕表演，以勁歌熱舞帶大家回到華埠夜店盛行的黃金時代。透過動作和舞蹈，“都板街歌舞女團”的表演一起慶祝跨越年代的歡欣與快樂。