2015 Closing Ceremonies Schedule of Events
Friday, May 1, 2015
"Voices from Four Decades of Lao American Diaspora" Gallery Closing Reception
at Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street Philadelphia PA 19107)
· 6:00PM Doors Open, refreshments served · 7:00PM A special performance featuring Los Angeles-based theatre collective Refugee Nation, based on their interviews with Lao American refugees and survivors of war in Laos. Channapha Khomvongsa of Legacies of War will talk about her story, finding the drawings that ended the Secret War bombings and her mission to remove the unexploded bombs leftover in Laos. Also filmmaker Xaisongkham Induangchanthy will show a preview of his latest short film “Those Below” based on the UXO bombings, and Hmong writer Kao Khue will perform her poetry.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Artists Workshops 10AM-2PM
at Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street Philadelphia PA 19107)
· 9:30-10:00AM Breakfast and welcoming remarks by Creative Director Catzie Vilayphonh · 10:00AM Workshops: Lao American artists from various genres will present their stories and discuss how they reflect their background into their work, as well as the challenges they face and the successes they’ve had. Each artist will present for 10 minutes then open up for questions from the audience.
Workshop I 10:00AM-10:35AM · Playwright and Poet Saymoukda Vongsay (Minneapolis, MN) · Refugee Nation (Los Angeles, CA)
Workshop II 10:35-11:05AM · Visual artist Chantala Kommanivanh (Chicago, IL) · Filmmaker Xaisongkham Induangchanthy (Savannakhet, Laos)
Workshop III 11:05AM-11:30PM · Singer Lina Luangrath (Chicago, IL) · Singer Phongsavanh Saiyavong (Montgomery, AL)
Lunch provided by Vientiane Cafe 11:30-1:00PM
Workshop IV 1:00-1:35PM · Dancer and Poet Krysada Binly Pounsiri (San Diego, CA) · Natasinh Dance Troupe (Des Moine, IO)
Closing Group Discussions 1:35-2:00PM
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Closing Ceremonies Performance Showcase 8-10PM
at National Museum of American Jewish History (101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia PA 19107)
· Doors open at 7PM, with complimentary food and open bar cocktail reception · Performance Showcase with host and Laos In The House creative Director Catzie Vilayphonh, featuring: Kao Khue Krysada Binly Pounsiri Lina Luangrath Natasinh Dance Troupe of Iowa Phongsavanh Saiyavong Refugee Nation Saymoukda Vongsay
With a special appearance by Titus Peachey from Legacies of War.