https://www.riversdalechinatown.ca/

Riversdale Chinatown, 209 Avenue D South, Saskatoon, SK (2026)

05/27/2026

⭐️ Lucky cat ⭐️

Maneki-neko, or “lucky cats,” originated in Japan during the Meiji Period (1868–1912) before spreading across Asia and eventually the world. Cats became symbols of good business and good fortune due to their historical role as pest controllers, as well as their prominence in Japanese folklore. Today, you’ll spot these figurines at the entrances of businesses worldwide with each raised paw carrying its own unique meaning.

Swipe to learn more about the historical significance and meaning behind one of Chinatown’s most iconic symbols!

Thank you to for the design work and for the research and writing!

Sources:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-fascinating-history-behind-the-popular-waving-lucky-cat

https://medium.com/re-form/getting-lucky-a6316b02a69a

05/20/2026

As we gear up for some exciting programming this summer, we wanted to share an overview of the programming and events from our inaugural year! 🧧✨

February - Official launch: We officially launched on February 15, bringing together and engaging community members to celebrate and explore Saskatoon's Chinatown history.

May - Jane's Walk: Over 100 people joined us on a guided walk through Riversdale and the surrounding area to learn about Saskatoon’s historic Chinatown!

May-June - First Mahjong Activations: Our initial mahjong pop-ups were graciously hosted by Odd Couple

July - Urban Games: We hosted multiple activations at YXE Urban Games 2025 - Ping Pong and Mahjong at the Ting amongst various art activities.

Our team, led by Jessica Gu and Adrian Chiu , designed, sewed, spray, and crafted a collection of scrolls honoring the uniqueness of Saskatoon’s Chinatown identity which were then hung from the beams of the Victoria Park Ting!

Artists Azul Gonzalez () and Jamie Merilees () painted a beautiful mural: a collage that forms a mosaic of cultures - each panel stands alone, but together, they create a larger, connected image that reflects our community’s diversity and unity.

August - Mahjong at Rhythm and Roots: We hosted a mahjong pop-up at the first hosted by .sk!

September - Nuit Blanche: We hosted a hands-on art workshop at with and shared the craft of Chinese knot-making with the community.

October - Mid-Autumn: We welcomed more than 700 of you in our inaugural mid-autumn moon festival, which included lantern making, interactive crafts, mahjong, mooncakes & tea, and Chinatown stories under the full moon.

November - Riversdale Art Walk: We hosted another mahjong pop-up at

Finally, we want to share our sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed to our Riversdale Chinatown community!❤️

A massive thanks to:
archernel and Chi Vu!

11/20/2025

[Press Release - Official Mural Launch at Saskatoon Makerspace on Nov 22, 2025]

Riversdale Chinatown is proud to officially launch a new Chinatown-themed mural at Saskatoon Makerspace, created by emerging local artists Jamie Merilees and Azul González. This collaborative piece reflects what the Riversdale Chinatown project means to them - a space of connection, shared stories, and evolving community identity.

Azul and Jamie come from distinctly different backgrounds: Azul is a student from Mexico City currently studying in the University of Saskatchewan, while Jamie grew up in Lloydminster and draws from their Korean heritage. Yet both talented artists share a common experience of living between cultures and carrying multiple homes and histories.

Their mural explores this sense of dual belonging through themes of shared meals, family ties, familiar shopfronts, and the gathering places that once anchored life in Riversdale’s Chinatown. Together, they bring forward a vibrant, contemporary interpretation of Chinatown’s past and present - honouring its legacy while imagining its future.

This artwork embodies the spirit of our project: art that builds community, bridges cultures, and celebrates the stories that make Riversdale Chinatown a place of resilience and renewal.

11/20/2025

✨🎨 Chinatown Identities: Official Art Launch 🎨✨

Join us as we unveil a new mural honouring the everyday moments that shaped the collective identity of Chinatown - shared meals, family ties, familiar shopfronts, and the gathering places that once anchored life in Riversdale.

History remembers the raids, arrests, and sensational headlines about “gambling dens.” These stories linger in the public memory - but they were only one part of a much larger picture.

Behind those headlines were real people seeking community, belonging, and a warm room to gather after long days of work.

As evening settles in, we invite you into a modern reimagining of those gathering spaces- no raids this time, just conversation, tiles, and shared company.

📅 Nov 22, 2025
⏰ Art Launch: 5 - 5:30 PM
🀄 The Hidden Room: 5:30 PM - Late
📍 Saskatoon Makerspace (209 Ave D S)
🍸 Cash bar presented by

Come celebrate art rooted in community, and feel the revival of a resilient Chinatown spirit that kept gathering, no matter the headlines.

Poster designed by

10/03/2025

🌕✨ Mark your calendars for a magical night at the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival! ✨ 🌕

📅 Saturday, Oct 4, 2025
📍 Gather Local Market (414 Ave B South)
🕓 4:00 – 10:30 pm
🎟 Free admission | Donations encouraged

Here’s what’s happening throughout the evening ⬆️:
🪢 Lucky Charms (Chinese knot crafts)
🏮 Lantern Making (to light up the night)
🀄 Mahjong (early + evening sessions)
📖 Chinatown Chats (stories, tea, and mooncakes)

Bring your friends and family to celebrate under the glow of the full moon — all ages welcome! 🌙💛

09/30/2025

[Press Release - Mid Autumn Festival on Oct 4, 2025]

On October 4th (Sat), you can find the Riversdale Chinatown team at the Gather Local Market, located in the heart of Riversdale. Throughout the night, various workshops and community programming will be made available, as well as the extended hours for our local favourite food vendor options in Gather Market—there is something for everyone!

The night will begin with a second activation of Lucky Charms, the Chinese knotting workshop introduced at Nuit Blanche, followed by a lantern-making workshop—a signature activity in Mid-Autumn celebrations. The two workshops are an hour apart, with an overlapping opportunity to play mahjong in between! The night will end with Chinatown Chats, featuring community storytelling by the Riversdale Chinatown team, followed by an opportunity to share mooncakes, tea, and conversation while enjoying the view of the full moon.

Throughout the night’s ongoing programming, Riversdale Chinatown will be showcasing some of their archival research in an outdoor pop-up exhibit, telling the stories of our Chinatown’s past and present. Also on display will be a beautiful mural by local artists Jamie Merilees and Azul González, for guests to come and admire throughout the evening.

The Mid-Autumn festival is one of the most significant events each year for many Asian cultures, taking place on the night of the fullest and brightest moon of the year. The round and full moon symbolizes and encourages the gathering of family and friends, making it a wonderful opportunity for community building. This event is an extension of Riversdale Chinatown’s broader mission to explore Chinatowns as a concept—grounding them in a modern context where history and community meet—by providing an opportunity for community members to engage with Asian cultures, histories, and traditional practices.

Whether through beginner-friendly crafting workshops encouraging creative expression, historical archives and community art showcases, connecting over a game of mahjong, or sharing and enjoying food under the full moon, this event is a space for community building, conversations, and cultural exchange.

09/22/2025

🌕✨ Join us in celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival this October! ✨🌕

📅 Saturday, Oct 4, 2025
📍 Gather Local Market (414 Ave B South)
🕓 4:00 – 10:30 pm
🎟 Free admission | Donations encouraged

Come together for a night of lantern making, interactive crafts, mahjong, mooncakes & tea, and Chinatown stories under the glow of the full moon! 🌕

This family-friendly evening is open to all ages and backgrounds- let’s gather, share, and celebrate community together!

Thank you for our great sponsors and supporters to make this event possible!

Poster designed by

09/19/2025

👀 Sneak peek! 👀

We’ve designed a set of special knot-making zine just for Lucky Charms at Nuit Blanche YXE! 🧵💫

Inside you’ll find step-by-step illustrations to help you create your own Chinese knots, from simple loops to the iconic Double Coin Knot!

Whether you’re a first-timer or just curious, this guide makes it easy (and fun!) to follow along!

📍 Come try it out on Sept 20, 2nd Ave in front of SULU
🕑 7PM – Midnight | Nuit Blanche YXE

Designed by and

09/17/2025

Riversdale Chinatown is excited to bring the blessing of luck to Nuit Blanche this fall through its interactive art workshop, Lucky Charms- one of its latest activations in the ongoing project to tell the story of Saskatoon’s Chinatown through community building and cultural exchange.

This upcoming Saturday, September 20th, you can find the Riversdale Chinatown team outside of SULU with instructional diagrams and materials, excited to help people create, connect, and celebrate by making their own Chinese knots (中國結, Zhōngguó jié). Participants will have a chance to learn to make their own Chinese knots using the easy-to-use knot-making kits provided. The knot can then be taken home as a good luck charm or contributed to a larger community art showcase being built throughout the night of Nuit Blanche at the Lucky Charms site! Featured knots include the good luck knot, the double coin knot, and the butterfly knot.

Often seen hanging from rearview mirrors, on the walls of Chinese restaurants, and throughout
community spaces during festive events, Chinese knots are ever-present symbols of luck,
connection, and creativity. Lucky Charms presents an opportunity to learn more about these common ornaments and engage with the meaningful history and symbolism in which they are embedded.

Lucky Charms is a participatory project- an extension of Riversdale Chinatown’s broader mission to explore Chinatowns as a concept, grounding them in a modern context where history and community meet. With beginner-friendly knot-making kits, this workshop aims to introduce people to the historic craft of Chinese knotting, facilitating community engagement with a constantly evolving art form- and not to mention, bringing a little luck into their life.

About Chinese Knots
Despite their popularity and prevalence dating back to the Early Stone Age, [1] Chinese knots have been poorly documented and largely overlooked in historical records and literature. [2] A constantly evolving practice, Chinese knots have taken on various purposes throughout history- serving as practical tools, methods of communication and documentation, and as we recognize them most commonly today, a significant feature in decoration and rituals. A long-standing practice and art form, Chinese knots are filled with meaningful symbolism and often mimic elements of the living world such as flowers, insects, and animals, drawing a throughline between the modern practice and that of ancient times.

[1] Haimei, “Chinese Knotting”, 2.1
[2] Haimei, “Chinese Knotting”, 2; Chen, “The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting”, 9

09/17/2025

Big thanks to Print Baron () for helping us bring our Lucky Charms workshop to life at Nuit Blanche YXE ✨🧵

Their support makes it possible for us to share art and culture with the community!

Nuit Blanche YXE
🕑 Sept 20 | 7PM – Midnight
🗺️ 2nd Ave/SULU

Riversdale Chinatown

05/27/2026

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11/20/2025

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