Angel of the Arts and Culture SCCCC Honors Mrs. Ruth Ding

Thirty-seven years ago, Mrs.Ruth Ding was the first to bring a Chinese cultural performance to the newly established Segerstrom stage, making significant contributions to the community's cultural landscape. Janie expressed a heartfelt hope that the performance of "Legends" would carry on the torch lit by pioneers like Mrs.Ruth Ding, allowing the cultural flame to continue illuminating and uniting the community across ethnic boundaries.

At 96 years old, Mrs.Ruth was born in Guangzhou, China. During the Japanese invasion, she and her family immigrated to Arizona,USA. In 1963, Ruth and her husband, Dr. Lock Gee Ding , moved to Orange County, where Ruth founded the Orange County Chinese Cultural Club in 1968. Driven to help the next generation learn about Chinese culture, she established a children's choir, followed by the Southern California Chinese Folks Dancers, participating in national television performances and representing Asia at the Olympic Dance Festival. In 1980, Ruth was commissioned by Disneyland to produce the Dragon Boat Festival at Disneyland Resort's waterfront marina.Tens of thousands of people enjoyed Chinese food, dragon boat races, and dance performances.

Mrs.Ruth has not only advanced multicultural values through music and dance but has also advocated for the establishment of a venue in Orange County that appreciates high-quality music and performing arts. With land donated by Henry Segerstrom and her tireless fundraising efforts alongside community members, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts was completed in 1986. The following year, she hosted the inaugural Mid-Autumn Festival there. Her innovative "Candlelight Gala" fundraising event became a cherished tradition that continues today. However, since then, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts has primarily hosted Broadway shows, ballet, and large symphonic performances, with few musicals organized by Chinese groups.

The decision for the "Legends" Original Musical to "return" to the Segerstrom Hall not only highlights its artistic caliber but also symbolizes a legacy of cultural continuity. On stage, Janie told the audience, "Our Angel of the Arts and Cultural, Mrs. Ruth Ding, first brought Chinese cultural arts to the Segerstrom Hallstage in 1987, planting the seeds of our dreams and allowing Chinese culture to flourish on this platform. Tonight, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center is honored to carry on the cultural flame she ignited, marking a new milestone in our 'passing of the torch' through the premiere of  "Legends".

 

Please watch the video for details