In an engaging interview, I had the opportunity to speak with Amanda Kwan, the Executive Director of Think! Chinatown, about the upcoming Chinatown Cultural Festival. This year marks the seventh edition of the festival, set to take place in October, and Kwan is inviting both residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural activities that will showcase the richness of Chinatown’s heritage.

“Chinatown is a melting pot of traditions and creativity,” Kwan remarked. “We want everyone to experience this through a diverse array of events, from traditional performances to music concerts.”

The festival is packed with activities, kicking off later this month with an exciting lineup. On Saturday, October 19, from noon to 4 PM, there will be an event centered around “Local Revitalization and Preservation: The People, Places, and Cultural Representations of Chinatown,” coinciding with the Lower East Side Art Culture Open House. This event is free and does not require prior registration, located at 1 Pike St, NY, NY 10002. Later that evening at 8 PM, attendees can enjoy “Traditional Shadows: Innovations in Chinese Puppetry” for a ticket price of $10-20, also at 1 Pike St.

On Tuesday, October 22, from 6-8 PM, the focus will be on the “Moonlit Plaza Opening,” featuring an artist’s painting session and a reception, again free of charge without reservation. Later in the month, on Saturday, October 26, at 6:30 PM, a special “Cantonese Opera Night in the Bamboo Garden: The Purple Hairpin” will be staged at 5 Essex St., with paid reservations required. Finally, the festival will wrap up with a lively “Chinatown Block Party” on Sunday, October 27, from 2-6 PM, taking place between Mott St and Mosco St, which is yet another free, no-registration-needed event.

Kwan emphasized that the Chinatown Cultural Festival aims to blend traditional Chinese folk arts with local Asian American culture, providing a platform for multicultural experiences. She also noted that Think! Chinatown intends to highlight grassroots art and emerging Asian artists throughout the festival to help people appreciate the deep cultural assets of Chinatown.

As she elaborated on Think! Chinatown’s mission, Kwan explained, “We’re a cross-generational nonprofit organization based in Manhattan’s Chinatown, dedicated to storytelling, delivering cultural arts, and engaging the community. Our goal is to connect the past and the future of Chinatown, paving the way for a better overall community environment.”

For those interested in the full schedule of events, more details can be found on Think! Chinatown’s website: thinkchinatown.org/artsfest. Their new community space is located at 1 Pike St, providing a welcoming hub for cultural engagement.