Spring is upon us. It is the propitious year of the Rat. And things in Chinatown are hopping. 

For those in the know, Los Angeles’s Chinatown has become a tres hip scene. A place where artists thrive, foodies buy everything from chickens to special herbs in exotic shops (such as Essential Chinese Herbs on Spring Street), and new galleries are popping up as fast as you can say, “pass the chopsticks.”

Today’s Chinatown is an adventure.

A bustling community founded in 1938, it now offers a new sense of place. Vibrantly mixing Chinese-Americans with Caucasians. Old with young. Eclectic with traditional. Chinese cuisine with taco stands. It is a unique mixture of color, design, excitement, food and architecture.

Many credit the visionary owners of China Art Objects Galleries and Black Dragon Society, both on Chung King Road (now known as Chinatown’s art gallery row) as turning the whole scene around in the late 90’s. It was their vision that moved Chinatown from traditional Chinese novelty shops into innovative galleries representing art from a wide array of diverse artists.

“I’ve had my studio-showroom on Chung King Road for over a year now, and I find it to provide a wonderful sense of community,” says artist/actress Lili Bernard. “It’s such a unique combination of older Chinese, who own many of the buildings, and young hip gallery owners.”

Chinatown is an LA landmark beckoning to be explored by the uninitiated or the familiar.

For those of you curious to know more and are looking for a fun mini-adventure where you can dress casually, bring your camera and get away for an afternoon of cultural dreams and inspirations, Spirited Woman, an LA-based women’s group – all about creative fun for inspired women – is hosting a very special event on March 22. All ages are welcome.

The event includes a fabulous Dim Sum lunch at the Empress Pavilon, one of Chinatown’s most famous restaurants, a 1.5-hour walking tour of some of the hidden shops and exotic markets of Chinatown and an opportunity to toast in spring with a private wine reception at Lili Bernard’s colorful Studio-Showroom on Chung King Road. Lili will also give a brief talk on her art. Painting by Lili Bernard

As the fearless leader of Spirited Woman, I invite you to join us for Spirited Woman’s March 22nd,  “Chinatown Extravaganza,” special event from 12:30 -4:30 pm. The cost is only $45 for the whole she-bang.

For more information and to sign-up visit:  www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/events. Or call 888-428-1234. I also invite you to subscribe to the free Spirited Woman Newsletter – it’s fun and chock full of inspiration and information.

–Nancy Mills – aka The Spirited Woman (nancymills@thespiritedwoman.com) \

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