Artist Li Ya'nan performs a soprano solo during a gala in Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 15, 2019. The Chinese community in Chicago held a gala Sunday night to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

CHICAGO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Chicago held a gala Sunday night to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Hundreds of Chinese and Americans at Harper College Performing Arts Theater in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago attended the gala themed "My Hometown is China," which featured a variety of Chinese songs, traditional music, dance, acrobatics, and crosstalk.

Renowned Chinese soprano Li Yanan, who was invited to perform during the gala, created the highlight of the night with her solo My Home is Beijing, Crystal Green Waters and Clear Blue Sky.

"I am too excited and honored to perform in front of overseas Chinese friends," Li said to the audience, "I wish our people more happiness and health, our mother country more prosperity."

Male chorus "Nanni Bay" brought the smell of China's Loess Plateau to the audience, with all singers wearing sheepskin vests and white towels on their heads.

Xiangsheng or crosstalk, a traditional Chinese comedic performing art, by Wang Bo and Zhang Shuo drew waves of laughter continuously.

Zeng Yan, who has lived in Chicago for more than eight years, said the gala was very successful, and she really enjoyed the performances.

"I've heard quite a lot of art troupes in Chicago were making great efforts to organize this gala," she said. "I totally understand this feeling and share their affection toward our motherland. I wish China continued prosperity."

The gala was hosted by the Chicago Chinese Performance Arts and co-organized by several other art troupes in Chicago.