Stories
So what was the Willow Experience? Something about the bizarre combination of knocking back one-pound shots and communal prawn crackers, dancing to Shakira and The Beatles on that sticky dancefloor, and the pride felt when the legend that is Tommy Fong called you a regular?
The Willow Disco was an integral part of many individuals' experiences of York nightlife – for some, a safe place where you could be yourself, make new friends, and be part of a fun and welcoming community; for others, a place remembered with mixed emotions that are perhaps harder to express; while for others, a place of unrelenting hard work amidst the challenge of making a living in one of York’s most intensely commercial environments.
The Willow Archive “STORIES” is a series of six short archive films exploring memories drawn together under different themes from among those shared by Willow community voices in this space – an innovative collaboration between ThomFong and StreetLife York. The unique identifier for each item is included in the top righthand corner of the image, inviting visitors to follow the trail into the archive itself.
In The Beginning
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In the Beginning
film
How did the Willow Cantonese Restaurant and Disco come to be? What did the restaurant look like before it became the Willow Disco?
The first of our archive films – In The Beginning – shares some of the challenges and joys experienced by those at the centre of this family-run business. Focused around an oral-history interview with Soo Mei Fong, co-owner of the Willow and wife of Tommy Fong, the film includes personal Fong-family photographs, newspaper articles and advertisements, and contributions from former staff, friends and punters.
Willow Girl
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Willow Girl
film
Who designed the famous “Love it or Hate it?” t-shirts? Why were there cute illustrations of Tommy Fong and his family on the walls of the Willow Disco?
Vicki Fong, daughter of the owners of the Willow, designed the iconic graphic identity that includes the Willow Girl and famous “Love it or Hate it?” images many recall when remembering the venue. Vicki shares the inspiration behind the graphic identity, which includes the “Everybody’s Kung Fu Fighting” and “King Fong” t-shirt graphics, in the Willow Girl archive film.
Love It
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Love It
film
An entry stamp the size of your face! Prawn crackers in a late-night disco! What’s not to love?!
Willow punters share their experiences of the late-night disco in the Love It! archive film, from their very first visit as a student fresher, to the Willow becoming a welcoming space for the LGBT+ community. A rich mix of oral-history interviews and visual contributions from the Willow community, with a few words from Willow co-owner Tommy Fong, sharing his thoughts on the popularity of the Willow Disco.
Cheap Drinks
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Cheap Drinks
film
One-pound shots and a place with no aggression?! How did they create such a glorious “safe haven”?
Willow community voices share fond memories of cheap drinks and the late-night venue as a safe space. The Cheap Drinks archive film draws together oral-history interviews with former Willow punters, and Willow co-owners Soo and Tommy Fong talking about the choices behind their low drinks prices and notorious door policy.
Cheesy Music
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Cheesy Music
film
“Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira, “Do the Conga” by Black Lace, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk! How does this even work as a playlist?!
In the Cheesy Music archive film, DJ Max, Willow co-owner Soo Mei Fong, and a group of Willow punters share their stories of the music that made the Willow – an inclusive place where you could chat and drink with friends and strangers, then head to the dancefloor to dance to cheesy music; a place where you could request any song from the DJ just as long as it wasn’t The Prodigy!
The Last Night
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The Last Night
film
Sunday 26 July 2023 – the last chance to go to the Willow and a night not to be missed! Was it worth the 9-hour journey and the mammoth queue? And who took the Willow signs?
The Last Night archive film opens a window on closing night at the Willow through the memories of those who were there – from the humorous live Tweets of a York Vision journalist, to the passionate farewell speech of Willow co-owner Tommy Fong.
