Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is officially declaring October 3, 2014 as Bruce Lee Day in honor of the international icon and to celebrate the opening of the Bruce Lee exhibit, “Do You Know Bruce?” at the Wing Luke Museum, the only such exhibit in North America.
Friday, October 3: Bruce Lee Day
• 10:00 a.m.—Bruce Lee Day Proclamation; Bruce Harrell and Nick Licata, Seattle City Council.
• 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—Delta Presents Do You Know Bruce? Preview Bash (for members and invited guests only).
• 9:30 p.m.—Special screening of Enter the Dragon at grand re-opening of Egyptian Theatre, in partnership with Seattle International Film Festival. $5 General admission or free with The Wing ticket stub/bracelet or current Wing Luke Museum membership card.
Saturday, October 4: Comcast Presents Do You Know Bruce? Opening Day
• 10:00 a.m.—Opening program and speakers (including Shannon Lee and Linda Lee Cadwell).
• 11:00 a.m.—Museum opens; scavenger hunt and photo booth fun throughout day.
• 1:00 p.m.—Martial arts demo by the Jun Fan Gong Fu Institute of Seattle, introduction by Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man).
• 2:30 p.m.—Seminar with Mike Stone, discussing his martial arts experience, career in athletics and entertainment industry and friendship with Bruce Lee. Signing and photo-op following seminar.
The exhibit will feature the personal story of Bruce Lee and his connection to Seattle. With the full support of the Lee family, The Wing will be the only museum, outside of Hong Kong, to present an exhibit about Bruce Lee.
The Wing states: “In 32 years of life, Bruce Lee became a global icon and changed the world. More than just an action star, Bruce Lee broke barriers, defied stereotypes and inspired generations after him. Bruce Lee transformed media perceptions of Chinese male stereotypes with his films, insisting on playing roles of real people rather than caricatures. Off the screen, he embraced his mixed race, defied martial arts tradition by instructing students of all races, and challenged convention with his interracial marriage. Rooted in his philosophy of personal development, Bruce Lee also devoted as much time cultivating his inner character through education and study as he did on his physical conditioning. A significant part of who Bruce Lee became was due to his life in Seattle.
Every year, thousands from around the world pilgrimage to Seattle’s historic Lake View Cemetery to visit Bruce Lee’s gravesite. Bruce Lee’s story is rooted in his time in Seattle—his job at the legendary Ruby Chow’s Restaurant, his first martial arts studio, his philosophy studies, and his relationship with Linda Lee, a Garfield High School graduate. For him, Seattle was a time of obstacles and sacrifices as well as growth and development and would shape the person he would become.”
The special exhibition will feature multi-media displays, personal belongings and collector memorabilia related to Bruce Lee’s time in Seattle and the Chinatown-International District, his relationship with Linda and family, his global influence and legacy, and his martial arts. Items in the exhibition include: handwritten poems reflecting Bruce’s experience in Seattle, a birth announcement for Brandon and snapshots as a baby, boxing gloves and head gear used by Bruce for training, and more.
The Do You Know Bruce? exhibit will run for three years with a new theme and select items changed each year. For more information, visit wingluke.org.