2007.1.106

• photography

From back of photograph: "Oakland Chinatown". From caption on back of photograph: "This, ladies and gentlemen, is a distinctly humane dragon, which roved Oakland's streets last night. Although addicted to roaring and swallowing vegetables hung over doorways, its maw in reality is the Chinese Community Chest. The vegetables contained cash. Just an old Oriental custom in connection with the New Year festivities. The lettuce about to vanish in this scene was decorating the New Shanghai Cafe, 425 Tenth Street." Three dancers parade their large lion puppet in front of the New Shanghai Cafe in Oakland. The mouth of the lion puppet is reaching for a head of cabbage hung above the cafe's doorway. The two dancers at the rear of the lion wear elaborate costume pants, though surprisingly they also wear tennis shoes. Several onlookers watch (most appear to be Asian American). Two young men at the proper left are wearing bi-colored felt hats (possibly "dinks" or "beanies") which might identify them as college students. The young man on the proper right of the image is casually smoking a cigarette. The New Shanghai Cafe itself has an impressive facade, complete with its own tiled entryway and ornate stained glass windows. The window advertises that the cafe serves both "Chop Suey Noodles" and "American Dishes". Spent firecrakers litter the ground.

Used: Oakland Tribune