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Photograph

Lucy Lee applying make up for Chinese opera role, Seattle, November 26, 1984

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The Luck Ngai Musical Society (also known as Luck Ngi Musical Club, Luck Ngai Operatic Society and other variations) is a local amateur Cantonese opera group established in Seattle in 1935 to promote Chinese opera, support the local Chinese School, and raise funds for community causes. In November 1984, the group performed the traditional opera "Wang Siu Gun," about a Cantonese king forced to send his concubine to a barbarian to prevent a war. The benefit production was held for senior citizens at the Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall.

Here, Lucy Lee prepares for her role as the king's concubine in the Luck Ngia Operatic Society production of "Wang Siu Gun," while her daughter Sara looks on.

The clubhouse of the Luck Ngi Musical Club still operates at 512 7th Ave. S. in Seattle's Chinatown International District as of 2021.

Caption information source: "Waiters and cooks keep Chinese opera thriving in Seattle" by Ashley Dunn, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November28, 1984, p. 1
Caption information source: Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience website at http://db.wingluke.org/CantoneseOpera/exhibit2/vexmain2.htm
ID Number: 2000.107.036.11.05
Date: 1984
Creator(s): Holmberg, John, Photographer
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 9 x 7 in.
Credit: MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.036.11.05, photo by John Holmberg
Copyright: All Rights Reserved