Courses cater to new face of Chinatown

For years, the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center has provided English language classes, job training, and child care to immigrant families. But as Chinese families have moved out and non-Asian residents moved in, the center saw a need for something new.

With Sunshine Saturdays -- a smorgasbord of cultural classes for children, youth, and adults at its new Community Arts Center -- the agency has drawn in Asian-Americans from outside Chinatown and non-Chinese residents, said Giles Li, the center's new arts coordinator.

"This is a response to the way the community is changing," he said. "Some people used to live here and are looking for a way to stay connected, and some people are moving in and have never had a connection with Chinese culture or Chinatown. We want to bring all these diverse populations together."

Li, a 28-year-old poet, lives in Brookline, where he grew up, but, like other Asian-Americans, he's always felt a connection to the neighborhood, he said.

"Chinatown was always an important part of my life," he said. "I could relate more to Chinatown growing up."

The center's first batch of classes started in January. Classes included traditional Chinese lion dance, beginners' Mandarin, a ballroom dancing class taught in both Mandarin and English, Indian bhangra dancing, and Chinese calligraphy, theater, self-portraits, and jewelry-making.

New classes, which start in May and will run for four to 12 weeks, could include tai chi and a break-dancing class led by Asian-American teens, Li said. Contact the center at 617-635-5129 or visit bcnc.net about class fees.

"We're expanding beyond what we've been known to offer for the past 30 years," Li said, "and we're bringing in people who wouldn't come otherwise."

RON DePASQUALE