THE CHAIR MAN'S PARTY

Gilbert Yeung's birthday, dragon-i; September 15

WHEN YOU RECEIVE an envelope with a sticker that reads “dragon-i concept since 1967,” you know it’s going to be an event you can’t refuse. This year, Gilbert Yeung’s much-awaited birthday party invite came in an army-green box with a red-star emblem in
the middle, which opened to reveal a red booklet with the title: Proud to Be Chinese. This year’s birthday theme paid homage to the late Mao Zedong, with the invite taking the form of the Chairman’s Little Red Book circa the Cultural Revolution. Inside the invite
were classic photos from the revolution, except that Mao’s face had been replaced with Yeung’s. Upon opening the book, the Chinese national anthem blared.

In keeping with the theme, the decor on the night featured a large red screen, with Chinese models dressed in Red Guard uniforms – the dress code was also themed “Chinese.” A special guest performance for the night was given by soul diva Chaka Khan,
who belted out classic songs such as “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman” and “I Feel For You.”

Dressed in full traditional Chinese garb of gold, Yeung greeted guests as Emperor of the night. Highlights of the evening included Gordon Lam’s special “live performance via satellite” – a YouTube clip of the Red Army Orchestra “performing” Michael Jackson’s
“Beat It”. If there was any doubt that this was a night to remember, it was silenced by the raucous laughter that accompanied the clip, with even the great Chaka Khan doubling over with mirth.