An Artistic Collaboration between
MARCUS SHELBY & FLO OY WONG
This website is created to document the development of “Gwah Gai: Crossing the Street,” a new collaborative work created by musician Marcus Shelby and visual artist Flo Oy Wong. Shelby’s musical score is played by the Marcus Shelby Orchestra. Narrative text, written by dramaturg Andi Wong, will be performed by actor Peter Macon.
Gwah Gai: Crossing the Street explores poignant memories of Edward K. Wong, aka Baby Jack, Flo Oy Wong’s husband. Ed Wong lived in Augusta, Georgia at the time of segregation when Chinese Americans were identified as “honorary whites.” Flo Oy Wong’s grew up in Oakland California's Chinatown near West Oakland, the historical district where many African Americans resided.
Gwah Gai: Crossing the Street - “A Musical Collage in Four Movements,” presented by the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC), is made possible with grants from the Creative Work Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, and the support of community partners, ODC Theater and Rooftop Alternative K-8 School.
It is our hope that audience members, arts educators and students of the arts and history will find value in the materials and resources shared here.
ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER CULTURAL CENTER
is one of 6 city-sponsored Cultural Centers
supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission.
APICC's mission is to support and produce multi-disciplinary
art reflective of the unique experiences of
Asian Pacific Islanders living in the United States.
This project is supported by:
The Creative Work Fund is a program of The Walter & Elise Haas Fund
supported by generous grants from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation
San Francisco Arts Commission Community Arts and Education Program,
San Francisco Arts Commission Cultural Equity Grants Program
California Arts Council
