

Asian Ballet Project Uses Film to Explore Identity, Adoption
The Asian American Ballet Project is transforming an ambitious dance project that expresses the emotional and personal journey of cross-racial adoption into a film that will be played at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The 10-minute film, Reclamation, will screen on a loop from 3 to 8 p.m. in Calderwood Hall during the Museum’s Free First Thursday event on Dec 4.
Daria Mohan Zhang
Nov 21, 2025


Review: ‘Kim’s Convenience’ Serves Easy Laughs, but Emotional Depth Is Out of Stock
The comedy theater performance of Kim’s Convenience is adapted from the hit TV series by the same name, but perhaps it sticks a little too closely to the script.
Virginia Sun
Nov 17, 2025


Exploring the Lost History of 'Little Syria'
New exhibit shines spotlight on how the Chinatown area of today was once a hub of Syrian, Lebanese immigration.
Adam Smith
Nov 14, 2025


Photos: Halal Bites and Delights Draws Huge Crowd in Roxbury
Children ate huge pink balls of cotton candy, women held their babies while nibbling on smores waffles and families and friends formed long lines for halal burgers and dishes at Halal Bites and Delights outside the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury on Nov. 8. Vendors included Ashur Restaurant, Chai Street, The Halal Guys, Halal Buns and Boston Dosa Party. From top row, left to right: Kids eat cotton candy; cotton candy booth; friends Khadija, Ikran, and Mis
Adam Smith
Nov 9, 2025


AARW Pushes Rent Control Effort, Talks About ICE in Dorchester
As the cost of living in Massachusetts has risen dramatically for many residents, the Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) has been campaigning to put rent control — which was abolished decades ago in the state — on the ballot in November of 2026. That effort, which has deadline of this Nov.19, is just one initiative the Dorchester-based nonprofit has been supporting to help Asian Americans in the Greater Boston area.
Liam Crampton
Nov 9, 2025


Juk Sing Tunes Into Glory Days of Cantonese Pop
Juk Sing stands out in the Boston music scene for their unique sound: The band’s specialty is Cantopop — a sub-genre of Chinese pop music originating from Hong Kong.
Esther Wang
Nov 8, 2025


A Decade of CAIR-ing for Civil Rights
Mass. chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations looks back on 10 years of advocating for Muslim rights S ome of the kids were hit and some had their hijabs pulled off. One boy was put in a headlock, punched and sent to the hospital with a broken nose and concussion. Most were harassed and called anti-Muslim and anti-Arab slurs. In total, nearly half of the students who identified as Muslim and were surveyed in a report by the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on
Adam Smith
Nov 5, 2025


Ken Liu ‘Prediction Is a Fool’s Game’
Boston-based writer Ken Liu Talks About ‘All That We See Or Seem,’ Life Parallels, AI, the Future and Present
Christopher John Stephens
Oct 28, 2025


For 'Love, Chinatown' Director, Neighborhood Is a ‘Symbol’ of Community Spirit
W hen director Lukas Dong set out to tell the story of Boston's Chinatown, he not only visited the neighborhood, but also its people. Then he discovered former longtime resident Cynthia Yee and current resident Gwen Liu, a bright-eyed college student, and knew they'd be perfect for his documentary assignment, "Love, Chinatown." Together, the two women explore the streets, memories, and emotions that define a neighborhood constantly balancing tradition and change. The film deb
DongDong Yang
Oct 15, 2025


How 'Love, Chinatown' Won the Heart of Cynthia Yee
The Sampan talks with Cynthia Yee, who is featured in the short documentary, "Love, Chinatown."
Adam Smith
Oct 15, 2025


Nonprofit Health Uganda Helps Fill in Where USAID Left Off
The nonprofit Health Uganda is providing needed scopes and other medical devices to boost healthcare in southern Uganda.
Adam Smith
Oct 14, 2025


Armed With Thoreau Scholarship, Former Chinatown Student Hopes to Give Back
E ach weekday for several years, Macki Mei would take the 40-minute subway ride from her childhood home in Dorchester to Chinatown, where...
Adam Smith
Oct 10, 2025


'Martyr' Event Lists Names of Palestinians Killed in Gaza
Volunteers kneeled down over a long scroll of paper on Wednesday evening outside Harvard University to begin the long task of writing down the names of Palestinians killed so far in the genocide in Gaza.
Adam Smith
Oct 8, 2025


CPR Saves Lives. That’s Why Every Student Should Know It
Sudden cardiac arrest is an unpredictable emergency. Every year in the United States, there are more than 35,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), yet the overall survival rate is only about 10%. This means that out of 10 people who collapse, perhaps only one will survive. Unfortunately, in emergency situations, many bystanders are left unsure of what to do due to a lack of CPR knowledge—missing the best window for saving a life.
Mingjun Zhan
Oct 3, 2025


Chinese Progressive Assoc. Starts New Chapter as Leader Karen Chen Moves on
Karen Chen is moving on from her role as executive director of the Chinese Progressive Association.
Adam Smith
Oct 1, 2025


An Autism Doctor’s Life Lesson
In an interview with the Sampan about her personal and professional life, Dr. Xue-Jun Kong spoke about her son, now 28 years old and pursing a graduate degree in mathematics, as well as her goals and focus areas in autism research, including founding the Synapse Lab for Autism Research at MGH and Boston Children's Hospital.
Adam Smith
Sep 29, 2025


Measles, Once Gone in the U.S., Now Called ‘Canary in Coal Mine’
Massachusetts has had only eight cases total from 2015 till now, with several zero-case years. But with concerns around vaccine skepticism and a surge in measles cases nationwide, some are worried about the potential for this preventable disease and others to make a comeback.
Anna Hu
Sep 24, 2025


Education in Activism
Most people know Suzanne Lee for two things: her career in the Boston Public Schools system, and her work building organizations in Chinatown. Today, she is the president emeritus of the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA), board president of the Chinatown Community Land Trust, and a well-recognized and -loved leader in the community.
Here is her story.
Doris Yu
Sep 17, 2025


Docs at Boston Rally Call for Solidarity With Palestinian Healthcare Workers
Dr. Yipeng Ge was one of several healthcare professionals who spoke in solidarity with Palestinian medical workers at a rally on Sept. 14 called “The People’s Prescription: Healthcare Workers & Allies Rally for Gaza.”
Adam Smith
Sep 16, 2025


Hugo Nakashima-Brown Joins History and Innovation
Boston-based furniture artist draws from classical Chinese designs, tradition and craftsmanship F or wood sculptor Hugo Nakashima-Brown ,...
Adam Smith
Sep 14, 2025




