The owner of a local restaurant is hoping to strengthen awareness of Chinese culture in Sarnia-Lambton and build connections through an upcoming event.
Tang's China House will host a cultural dinner and book reading with Author/Filmmaker Curtis Chin on Sunday, April 19.
Chin's memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, reflects on his upbringing, as his family owned an establishment in Detroit's Chinatown, as well as his self-journey to embrace his identity as a gay American-born Chinese individual.
Lillian Tang said Chin's story resonates with her.
"The way he tells his story is very heartwarming, there's some humor. His story is different than mine in that he grew up -- his restaurant was in a rough area of Detroit back in the 70s and 80s, and there was a Chinese community at that time," she said. "Versus when I grew up in Sarnia, I think I was the only Chinese girl in my whole school."
Tang said she wanted to bring this discussion to her downtown business, to position it as "more than just a place to eat."
"I see the sense of community that response can foster, so this just made sense. We can do something that is meaningful, that's not just about the food, but it's about community and learning about the culture," she said.
Tang said she hopes attendees will walk away with a sense of understanding for what it was like to grow up as a restaurant kid.
The event features a live reading by Chin, a moderated discussion, a book signing, and a multi-course dinner. Tang said many of the items are not on the menu and will be special to the event.
She said hopefully, this event will pave the way for similar occasions.
"I would love to bring other - if not authors, it could be musicians, it could be artists to Tang's to position ourselves as a cultural hub," she said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Tang said about 15 tickets were remaining and could be purchased online.
Tickets are $75 each and include dinner and a copy of Chin's book.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Lambton Chinese Canadian Association.
"As a child growing up in North America, it's easy to just get lost and disconnected from the culture your parents grew up in," Tang said.
The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
