The Chinese American Museum of Chicago is pleased to welcome filmmaker Rick Quanfor a screening of his documentary “Dancing Through Life: The Dorothy Toy Life Story“ with an appearance by Grant Avenue Follies.
100 year old Dorothy Toy Fong is a living dance legend. During the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s she teamed up with Paul Wing to become the most famous Asian American dance duo in this country’s history. Toy and Wing were pioneers, performing on Broadway and in Hollywood films. Dorothy, whose real last name is Takahashi continued to perform during World War Two, although her parents and relatives were sent to an internment camp in Topaz, Utah.
From the 1960’s to the mid 70’s, Dorothy managed and performed with herOriental Playgirl Revue which traveled throughout the U.S, Canada, Europe and Japan. She also ran a dance studio in the basement of her Oakland home where she taught hundreds of children how to dance. Dorothy still lives in Oakland, with her daughter.
Rick Quan is a two time Emmy award winner with more than 30 years of broadcast experience. He is the first Chinese American television sportscaster in the country. Rick currently works at ABC7 in San Francisco as a fill in sports anchor and field reporter. Rick also runs his own production company and has produced segments for the Chinese Historical Society of America and Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation.
Grant Avenue Follies was originally composed of four professional nightclub dancers from the fifties and sixties, coming out of retirement to dance for the joy and freedom of movement and Doctor’s orders to exercise for a healthier body. Dance classes led to dance recitals and requests by senior day care facilities for entertainment to relieve the boredom of daily existence. Now the group has expanded to twelve members, including retired teachers, pharmacist, architect and psychologist. Leader of the Follies, Cynthia Yee, received the Jefferson Award for all her work helping the community. The group has been featured on KPIX 5 News, KTSF 26, SF Magazine as well as being a feature in the SF Chronicle, Chinese language newspapers, Sutter Health, Active over 60 and Positive Thinking Magazine. Appearances include honors in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Hong Kong, Washington DC, Seattle and Vancouver, BC.
Click here for the trailer and check out Grant Avenue Follies!
Saturday, April 21, 2018
2-4 pm CDT
RSVP
Admission is Free, but RSVP is required