September 4-10, 2003

mixpicks

Mid-Autumn Festival

Ever participate in a Da Wei Wang contest? Probably not, but the American rendition involves pies, lemons and hot dogs. The Chinese version includes steamed chicken buns, sponge cake and egg custard tarts, all of which get eaten together. This is one of the highlights of the Mid-Autumn Festival held at the China Friendship Gate this Saturday. Tenth Street will be closed off with tables set up for face painting, origami and a genuine I-Ching fortuneteller who uses an actual tortoise shell for divination. Additionally, there will be a tai-chi demonstration and dance performances by the Mei-Mei Dancers, a troupe of young adopted Chinese children, and the Jade River Dancers.

In the evening, join the lion dance, led by the venerable sifu Cheung Shu-Pui of the Shiu Lum Kung Fu Academy, or the lantern parade. There will also be musical performances by newcomer Peter's Chinese Ensemble, the Philly Asian Music and Dance Association and the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society. Moon cake -- a pie-like dessert made with red beans -- and grapefruit are traditional foods shared amongst family members. In its eighth year, the Mid-Autumn Festival Street Fair offers a bit of everything in Chinese cultural inundation but the most important aspect is to spend the day with family and friends.

Mid-Autumn Festival, Sat., Sept. 6, street fair 1-5:30 p.m., performances 1-10 p.m., China Friendship Gate, 10th and Arch sts.; lantern and lion dance parade begins at 6 p.m. from Asian Americans United, 913 Arch St.; 215-925-1538.

—Helen i-lin Hwang

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