As is the case with many things in life, the passage of time has transformed mahjong from a humble household pastime to an invaluable piece of East Asian and Southeast Asian cultural heritage. Popular in China in the 19th century, the tile-based game has recently found its way into the world of high fashion, with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada and Brunello Cucinelli now producing their own exquisitely crafted, limited-edition mahjong sets. One set from S.T. Dupont comes with a price tag of £800,000 (or C$1.3 million). It features exquisitely handcrafted tiles made of precious gemstones like Tanzanian rubies and diamonds — the ultimate in board game luxury.

Design DialogueFête ChinoiseAugust 21, 2023mahjong, gamesComment

Sue Tang: Giving with Passion and Building the Chinese-Canadian Community

As a special spotlight on one of our committee members, Sue Tang is a special individual who has not only well-achieved in her professional career, she is also a role model when it comes to volunteering and building community. Recently, Sue was recognized as one of the Chinese-Canadian Legends, which celebrates many veterans in the community for their decades of achievement. Amongst other winners which included Dr. Chester Ho, David Leung, photographer James Lin, Jenny Pu, and Daniel Quan-Watson.

Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseAugust 18, 2023chinese canada, Chinese CanadianComment

朱達誠 Chu Tat Shing Toronto Art Exhibition

The “Art at Heart, Chu Tat-shing Exhibition” taking place at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto from August 4-13, 2023. This summer, Toronto welcomes renowned Hong Kong sculpture artist, Mr. Chu Tat-shing. The exhibition, a unique interplay of Eastern and Western cultures, showcases Toronto’s vibrant cultural diversity while offering a glance into Hong Kong’s rich heritage.

Fête ChinoiseAugust 10, 2023artComment

Jason Chan's Concert Stop In Toronto

As a longtime fan of Hong Kong Canadian Canto-pop singer Jason Chan, I felt like magic to have experienced a deeply joyful photoshoot engagement at the Jason Chan: The Fight Goes On World Tour 2023《陳柏宇: 世界巡迴演唱會》多倫多站, held at the P.C. Ho Theatre of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto on August 2 & 3.

Fête ChinoiseAugust 10, 2023music, concertsComment

Mad Fate 命案: Film Noir In Hong Kong Style

Can one stray from the path paved by fate? When a deranged fortune teller crosses path with a born psychopath who is destined to commit murder, the fortune teller uses every trick in feng shui and metaphysics to change fate. What is the price to pay for defying the forces of destiny?

一切皆是命, 半點不由人？喪心嗜血青年遇上命理病狂, 一場對抗天命的命案隨即展開, 風水術數、中西玄學, 以劫解劫, 以毒攻毒, 每一着終究是人定勝天還是命運使然, 逆天而行的後果又會否不堪設想？

Film & BooksFête ChinoiseAugust 9, 2023hong kong film, FilmComment

Transforming Vancouver's Chinatown 溫哥華唐人街的故事

Walking the streets of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown on a sunny Sunday afternoon, spring tantalizingly around the corner, you see glimpses of the neighbourhood’s vibrant past — and promising future. Along the high street, Pender, there are bustling restaurants in century-old buildings bearing the names of family associations (the Wongs, the Chins) that were central to the lives of early Chinese settlers. Popular bakeries — with lines out the door for a taste of Chinese delicacies — compete for attention with boutique tea shops and curios shops.

Design Dialogue, Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseAugust 3, 2023Chinese Canadian, Museum, History, Vancouver, Chinatown, Chinese ArtistComment

The Everything Pink Guide

Love is in the air, and so is the radiant hue of pink! As we gear up to celebrate Qixi, the enchanting Chinese Valentine's Day, why not infuse this beautiful tradition with a sprinkle of pink? From soft blush tones to vibrant fuchsia hues. In this guide, you'll discover a handpicked selection of all-time favorite pink items that stand the test of time. We're ecstatic to witness the resurgence of the pink trend, and we owe a huge "thank you" to the iconic Barbie!

Objects of Desire, Current AffairsFête ChinoiseJuly 27, 2023pink, gift guideComment

History in Full Circle: The Chinese Canadian Museum 永生號的前世今生

Newly settled into its permanent home, the Chinese Canadian Museum (CCM) opens its doors to the public this July in Vancouver Chinatown, with exceptional new gallery spaces to explore the rich and complex histories and culture of the Chinese Canadian community. The strong ‘sense of place’ of the museum is a story within a story within a story, and one that all urban design and history enthusiasts will love. Located in the historic Wing Sang Building at 51 E Pender Street, the museum venue is a remarkable heritage site that marks many Chinese experiences throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries and played a significant role in the social, economic, and cultural life of residents in Chinatown.

Lin-Sanely Good Advice: An Intimate Dinner with Invisalign Brand Ambassador Jeremy Lin

Fête Chinoise was honored to attend a dinner hosted by Align Technology, Inc., the pioneer and market leader in clear aligner orthodontics with its revolutionary Invisalign® system. The exclusive VIP dinner event took place at R&D Restaurant in Chinatown, Toronto, home to Master Chef Eric Chong’s innovative contemporary Chinese cuisine. Jeremy Lin was celebrated as the newest member of the Invisalign Smile Squad and launched the Lin-Sanely Good Advice brand campaign, which aims to inspire and develop youth.

Community & People, Current AffairsFête ChinoiseJuly 12, 2023Comment

Tradition Connects Us Miles Apart: University of Waterloo Alumni at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2023

On 22 June 2023 (Tuen Ng Festival) a group of University of Waterloo alumni gathered together and participated in the Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Festival for the first time since 2019. This year 168 teams and over 5,000 paddlers raced in the 270-meter course in Stanley Main Beach on the southern part of the Hong Kong Island. Our team, Waterloo Warriors (滑水龍), comprises of a group of sports loving individuals who have graduated from the university in the ‘80s all the way through to the late ’10s, as well as friends of alumni who were interested in learning to paddle.

Current AffairsFête ChinoiseJuly 10, 2023Dragon Boat FestivalComment

Remembering Coco Lee: A Legacy of Love and Musical Brilliance

In a tragic turn of events, Coco Lee, a beloved singer known for her East Asian and Western audiences, passed away on July 5th in Hong Kong. Her untimely departure has left millions of people in a state of grief and shock, especially her colleagues in the music industry and close friends, as they reflect on the impact she had on their lives. We take a moment to delve into the life and legacy of Coco Lee, celebrating her contributions and the love she shared through her music internationally.

Current AffairsFête ChinoiseJuly 7, 2023Coco Lee, LegendComment

This is what it means to me

In the 1800s the Canadian government enlisted the help of Chinese migrants to complete the Canadian Pacific Railway. 17,000 Chinese pioneers arrived to do this dangerous work. My great great grand uncle was one of these men. He came from ToiSan.

Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseJuly 7, 2023Heritage, History, chinese canadianComment