New Year, New Blessings. We're back again - to eat on the saht with you and wrap your wrists with well wishes, then tell our stories before inviting you into our lumvong circle. An old ritual with new friends.

As part of Institute of Contemporary Art's Gather series Laos In The House presents #BLESSED, a Lao New Year Pop-up Dinner on the ICA outdoor terrace on Saturday May 6. The event will focus on Lao traditional cuisine and sharing stories of Lao refugees.

The evening will start with a Baci/Su Kwon ceremony, complete with a pa kwon blessing tree and maw pon chanting prayers. Guests will learn elements of Lao New Year and how to give each other thread blessings.

With catering by Vientiane Cafe, traditional Lao dishes will be served to guests sitting on the floor. Chef proprietor Sunny Panthavong will recount her family’s humble beginnings into becoming Philly’s first Lao restaurant and Ammala Douangsyvanh from T.O. NAM Sausage, Inc. will share her mother’s story of starting a Lao foods company in Providence, RI.

Critically-acclaimed, NEA award-winning poet Bryan Thao Worra will read his works, reflecting on his background as an adoptee from a country mired in a secret war and his 30-year search across the globe for a long-lost family.

The dinner will feature a soundtrack comprised of Lao karaoke videos and classic songs performed by the Lao Heritage Foundation. Lastly, a Lumvong dance circle will end the night with a Salavan demo inviting guests to the dancefloor.

#BLESSED Save The Date: 5.6.17 and RSVP here.