2nd International Lao New Year | San Francisco
Here are some photos of this year’s performers at the Lao New Year in San Fran. Photos by me, if anyone uses them, please credit me or my site pretty please. Captions and of course thoughts by me as well, please note that taking pictures is much easier than performing and organizing an event such as this, so many thanks to all the people involved.
Phone Phoummithone
Cambodian Dancers
My friends Litdet, Leilani Chan and Ova Saopeng, actors from Refugee Nation performing an excerpt from “Lao’d and Proud.” Thanks Ova for finally bringing public attention to the heinous error that most Lao kids still commit…calling themselves “Laos.” Kids out there reading this, please, drop the “s” next time you tell people your ethnicity okay? 😉 Great skit Ova, can’t wait to see the full show.
It rained slightly in the early morning about three times…yes, San Fran is a far cry from SoCal. It’s tough to see the drizzle in the small image, but it was definitely chilly. Great job by the Lao Heritage Foundation all the way from Seattle to brave the cold in the traditional Lao attire. Had it rained as hard as it did on Sunday there would have been no festival at all…something to really think about for next year’s location. I know the audio guys were just about to pull the plug many times on the stage events because of all the electrical equipment.
LHF Seattle, Dok Champa
Vietnamese Dance Troupe
LHF, Bamboo stick dance, there is a similar dance in the Filipino culture as well.
Vilaychanh, from Canada
Noy Sydanon from SDN
Sam, a singer from Laos by way of Australia. Very cool blend of R&B and Pop. Yes, Lao R&B!
Gumby (AKA Pryce) hailing from “Moneyapolis” and the Twin Cities. Lao Rap mixed in with Mor-Lum. Salavanh Club Banga is pretty tight.
Oak from Black Flame
Phone Phoummithone and Laostha
(Thum mahk houng) Papaya Salad contest, which is an art form in its own right. Notice the trophy above, the “Golden Koke.” The one below looks quite fiery. Green papaya, tomato, shrimp, crab, lime, peppers, Squid brand fish sauce (is there any other?), and about 40 years of skillz mashing it all up.
