Grant Avenue Follies
Originally comprised of four retired dancers of the nightclubs, they were following doctor’s orders to exercise for improved physical health. The Follies rediscovered the sheer joy and freedom of dance and reconnected with their roots. They give performances to show “just because you’re retired, you don’t have to stay in your pajamas all day!”
The Follies enjoy a loyal following of seniors, many of whom frequented the Chinatown nightclubs such as the Forbidden City, the Sky Room and Shanghai Low. Furthermore, the younger generation is also taking an interest in their unique place in San Francisco Chinatown’s history.
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In 2021, the Follies wrote and performed the
“Gai Mou Sou Rap” to stand against anti-Asian hate crimes. Their music video went viral, receiving international attention and was featured in many film festivals. The Follies have since appeared in Steve Harvey’s show, “Steve on Watch.” A collaboration with AARP led to another viral video, “That Lunar Cheer,” and a national TV appearance on Mario Lopez’s Access Daily Show.
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The new PBS arts + culture primetime documentary series, The Express Way with Dulé Hill will launch in April, 2024, featuring the Grant Avenue Follies.
GAF Glam Bang
GAF Glam Bang is a collection of vignettes on the style, personalities, fun facts AND fiction of the Grant Avenue Follies. Written by Clara Hsu and produced by Clarion Performing Arts Center and Grant Avenue Follies. Video footage from the performance on November 12, 2023.
Meet the Grant Avenue Follies
The San Francisco Standard visited the Grant Avenue Follies and launched this video on June 14, 2023.
That Lunar Cheer
The Follies teamed up with LA rapper Jason Chu and AARP for a New Year Rap: That Lunar Cheer. It premiered on January 21, 2023.
That Lunar Cheer
Behind the Scenes
Grandmas in the house! Come take a behind-the-scenes look at our #ThatLunarCheer music video with jason chu, presented by AARP AAPI Community / AARP.
Glammas Wrap
Glammas Wrap is music, poetry, and fashion wrapped in one, to celebrate the Follies' sisterhood and honor women's vitality and beauty. Poet Clara Hsu teamed up with couture designer Colleen Quen to create a visually stunning video. The "Wrap" was premiered on October 8, 2022 at the Follies' Dazzling Tigers Fashion Show Fundraising Luncheon at the Far East Cafe.
Gai Mou Sou Rap
The purpose of Gai Mou Sou Rap is to assert the vitality of seniors and stand firm against hate and violence. The idea came from Cynthia Yee, who remembered the significant of the gai mou sou, and Clara Hsu wrote the lyrics. Gai Mou Sou Rap was premiered on May 21, 2021 and instantly went viral. It now has over 98K views on YouTube.
Santa Baby
The version of Santa Baby was conceived during the winter of 2020, while the Grant Avenue Follies (grantavenuefollies.com) were sheltering in place. As soon as every member received their COVID vaccination shots, they went to Clarion Performing Arts Center (theclarionsf.org) in San Francisco Chinatown and did the filming. Conceived by Follies' member Clara Hsu, the plot was further developed by Brent Benaway. We wish everyone joy and happiness, especially during the holiday season. Laugh with us. Have FUN!