Celebrating many colors of old Shanghai (2)

Reviving noble traits

Supported by Hotel Equatorial Shanghai, the Colormen Salon, an afternoon tea, is held once a month and each session has a theme. Teas and desserts are served and events include guest talks, musical performances, art and photo exhibitions and video screenings.

Attendance is limited to 100 guests. It is not open to the public, but fans who are active on the group's Weibo social networking site may be invited.

Every session has a theme related to old Shanghai.

Last month the theme was the city's younger kele, including offspring of older gents and ladies. Shanghai-based award-winning musician Song Siheng played the piano and talked about his experience in growing up and becoming a musician.

The July theme is about love, since Chinese Valentine's Day is coming up on August 13 this year. Details of the event were not immediately available.

"Frankly, I didn't expect such enthusiastic feedback from attendees and those who heard about the salon both online and by word of mouth," says Yan Hua, a core organizer and television presenter for Shanghai Media Group.

"The event was initiated through our personal interest," she says. "I was born in Shanghai and as a young person I was eager to approach the cultural core of the city, but I felt separated by a mysterious veil. That's why we are inviting some real Colormen to talk about their dreams and share their experience in salons."

"We chat about many interesting topics concerning Shanghai and the talks generated interesting ideas and inspiration," says Chen Gang the composer.

Topics have included qipao, the traditional tight-fitting gown for women, Shanghai movies, Shanghai-style Peking Opera, poetry and harmonica playing.

"People in Shanghai deserve a colorful, refined and elegant life. The real old kele are now very few and we are documenting their memories in an artistic way. We are looking deeply into a bygone are in which a certain culture thrived," Yan says. Artists in many fields are invited.

Yan and Chen are responsible for developing themes and inviting guests. Ji Dongming, general manager of the Hotel Equatorial Shanghai, arranges the salon, decor and catering. The hotel covers all costs.

"This is a non-profit event and no one comes here to make money," Yan says. "Ji is a rare hotel manager with a passion for art and culture and he gives generous support."

For example, in one salon, every corner was decorated with a garland of fragrant magnolia, the city flower with a perfume that evokes nostalgia.

Ji sometimes selects a particular tea to complement the theme.

"In my eyes, this is the sophiscated lifestyle of old Shanghai kele," says Yan, adding that they would even choose different background music for their morning tea and afternoon tea.