This is a replay of a previously held event.
We are delighted to welcome former Art Deco Society of Los Angeles Board Member Randy Chong to the virtual stage to share some family history in The Story of the Fabulous Fong Wan: Chinese Herbalist, Night Club Owner, and Showman in a special program that will also feature a cocktail or two!
This is the story of Fong Wan (Randy’s great grandfather) and his empire in the San Francisco Bay Area. With $10 in his pocket and huge dreams, Fong Wan arrived in San Francisco in 1900, at just 17 years old, to become an herbalist. Treating Chinese and Caucasians, he became the leading herbalist in the country. Fong Wan didn’t stop there. His nature as a promoter and keen business acumen helped grow his modest café to an empire that included a department store, a shrimping fleet, multiple restaurants, and nightclubs in Oakland and San Francisco. With exotic fan dancers, magicians, acrobats, and singers imported from China, his venue became the envy of fellow nightclub owners in the 1930s to 50s, including his big rival, Charlie Low and the Forbidden City.
Tickets:
$6 for Members
$10 for General Public