Programs and Events

These programs took place in 2012.

Unless otherwise noted, the below programs are free and open to the public, with no reservations required. For more information, call (312) 747-8191. Programs are listed in chronological order.

Quicklinks: Lectures, Courses, Films and Performances | “Day in Chinatown” | For Teens

Lectures, Courses, Films and Performances

Mulberry Child: Film Screenings
Friday, March 30 – Thursday, April 5

• Friday, March 30, 8:15 p.m.*
• Saturday, March 31, 3:15 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.*
• Sunday, April 1, 3:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.*
• Monday, April 2, 6:15 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.*
• Tuesday, April 3, 8:00 p.m.*
• Wednesday, April 4, 6:15 p.m.
• Thursday, April 5, 8:15 p.m.*

Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
164 N. State Street
$11 admission; $7 students; Information on show times and tickets at siskelfilmcenter.org or through Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787
This documentary directed by Susan Morgan Cooper was awarded 3.5 stars by Roger Ebert, who called it “a powerful and touching film.” It follows the trail of Mulberry Child, Jian Ping’s memoir of growing up amid the hardship and injustice of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, and traces her American daughter Lisa’s dawning understanding of her family’s struggle. The film shares many themes from Gold Boy, Emerald Girl and is a fitting companion to the book.
*Author Jian Ping and Lisa Xia will be present for a discussion after these screenings. Presented in partnership with the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Jeffrey Wasserstrom: China in the 21st Century
Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
Historian and leading China specialist Wasserstrom is the author of books such as China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know, a frequent contributor to periodicals, including the Chicago Tribune and TIME magazine, and a blogger at The China Beat. He discusses why it has never been more important to understand the global giant that is China, and gives an overview fit for novices and experts alike. Presented in partnership with Chicago Sister Cities International.

Gold Boy, Emerald Girl in Conversation
Tuesday, April 10, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
John T. Richardson Library
2350 N. Kenmore Avenue, Room 300 (Rosati Room)
DePaul University Department of English professors June Chung, Jim Fairhall, Rebecca Johns-Trissler and James H. Murphy offer a roundtable discussion exploring the affinities between Yiyun Li’s Gold Boy, Emerald Girl and a variety of contemporary and canonical authors, including William Trevor and Anton Chekhov. Sponsored by DePaul University’s Department of English.

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: Film Screenings

• Wednesday, April 11, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  Harold Washington Library Center
  Video Theater, Lower Level
  400 S. State Street
• Saturday, April 14, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  Chinatown Branch
  2353 S. Wentworth Avenue

This 2007 adaptation of the title story from Yiyun Li’s debut collection is written by Li and directed by Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club). A widowed Chinese father (Henry O) visits his daughter (Feihong Yu) in America after her recent divorce. As the layers of their complicated relationship are slowly peeled away, we learn about the secrets they have kept from each other, dating back to China’s Cultural Revolution. Run time: 83 minutes.

Melodies of Love and Loss: Chinese Music Inspired by Gold Boy, Emerald Girl
Sunday, April 15, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
Bringing together some of Chicago’s leading musicians, this special concert showcases music composed by both known and emerging Chinese composers. Curated by Yuan-Qing Yu, assistant concertmaster of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the program is inspired by and is an aural accompaniment to the wonderful stories of Gold Boy, Emerald Girl. Detailed information on songs and performers is available from the Chinese Fine Arts Society. Presented in partnership with the Chinese Fine Arts Society.

Yiyun Li in Conversation with Achy Obejas
Thursday, April 19, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
Chicago writer Achy Obejas (Ruins) interviews Yiyun Li about her life and work, and the inspiration behind these intimate stories. Book sales provided by The Book Cellar.

Gold Boy, Emerald Girl on Stage with Silk Road Rising
Monday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Silk Road Rising at the Historic Chicago Temple Building
77 W. Washington Street, Pierce Hall
This intimate performance with one of Chicago’s theater gems, Silk Road Rising (formerly Silk Road Theatre Project), promises to be a treat for those who have read these touching stories or for those who want an introduction. This one-hour free reading is directed by Lavina Jadhwani.

Chinese Literary Forms and Gold Boy, Emerald Girl
Friday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
John T. Richardson Library
2350 N. Kenmore Avenue, Room 300 (Rosati Room)
James Shea (Nebraska Wesleyan University) and Dorothy Tse Hiu Hung (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) discuss classical literary forms as background to the stories in Gold Boy, Emerald Girl. Shea’s lecture, “Classical Chinese Poetry and Yiyun Li’s Gold Boy, Emerald Girl,” explores the Chinese quatrains that were popular during the Tang dynasty (618-907), and is followed by an informal poetry-writing exercise. In her lecture, “Another Kind of Beauty: Gold Boy, Emerald Girl in the Cultural Revolution,” Tse provides background to Li’s collection by investigating the characterization and plot structure found in revolutionary “model operas.” Sponsored by DePaul University’s Department of English.

DePaul University Course
Yiyun Li’s Gold Boy, Emerald Girl and Asian American Literature
Spring Quarter 2012 (March 26, 2012 – June 8, 2012)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:40 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
DePaul University’s Department of English offers a course dedicated to exploring the literary achievement of the One Book, One Chicago selection, drawing on the expertise of DePaul’s English faculty. In spring 2012, Associate Professor of English June Chung teaches English 378: Literature and Social Engagement. This is a paid, tuition-based course. For more information, email dwelch3@depaul.edu or call (773) 325-1775. Sponsored by DePaul University’s Department of English.

For Teens

Gold Boy, Emerald Girl is a great read for teens. Find recommended fiction suited for teens and other younger readers—as well as the whole family.

Exhibit: Gold Boy, Emerald Girl Remixed
Opening Monday, April 2
Harold Washington Library Center
Van Buren Corridor, First Floor
400 S. State Street
This series of artwork is inspired by Gold Boy, Emerald Girl, created by Chicago-area high school students through workshops in YOUmedia at the Harold Washington Library Center. This exhibit includes photography, graphic design, painting, illustration and poetry, and is also available online at remixgoldboy.tumblr.com.

YOUmedia Gold Boy, Emerald Girl Gallery Celebration & Open Mic Night
YOUmedia
Harold Washington Library Center
First Floor
Wednesday, April 18, 5:00 p.m.
Join YOUmedia, the digital learning space for teens at the Chicago Public Library, for a special event celebrating the “Gold, Boy Emerald Girl Remixed” exhibit. Meet the student artists and enjoy a special edition of Lyricist Loft, YOUmedia’s weekly open mic night, themed around the spring One Book, One Chicago selection.