Presented in collaboration with the Chinese Historical Society of America.

From the late 1930s to the early 1960s, Chinese nightclubs flourished in San Francisco's Chinatown. Clubs like the Chinese Skyroom, the Shangri-La, and the Forbidden City, were the first - and in those days the only - venues for talented Asian performers.

Swinging Chinatown brings back to life a long-neglected slice of Asian-American history. The exhibit will feature over 100 vintage photographs, dancer Ellen Chin's costumes and gold dancing shoes, Tony Wing's tap shoes, and menus, napkins and other mementos from several famous nightclubs. Immerse yourself in a bygone era, when celebrities and visitors of all stripes were entertained by Larry Ching, "the Chinese Frank Sinatra;" Noel Toy Young, "the Chinese Sally Rand;" and Paul Wing, the "Chinese Fred Astaire." The exhibit will feature vintage photographs, costumes, dancing shoes, menus, napkins and other mementos from famous nightclubs....