Lao Artists Festival in Elgin, IL

The last stop on our 10 day 3 state MidWest min-tour was to participate in the Lao Artists Festival. A two day event of workshops, festival and awards show performances. It was an honor to be on the stage with such renown artists form across the country from Hip Hop to Lao-gee-ton to the Frank Sinatra of Laos. And we got to present a scene from our show for the Elgin audience. Little know fact, 5 years ago we attended the First International Lao Studies Conference in Elgin and that was the very beginning of our research and interviews that have eventually become the Refugee Nation show we now tour.

Destined for Des Moines

Refugee Nation takes time to simmer in various cities to finally find our way to Des Moines. It was some years ago that we had gotten word by random from Mira Yusef, head of MONSOON, about interest in bringing Refugee Nation to Iowa. She had heard about us from Alex Torres, our director at the time who helped sculpt the show in Berkeley. We had high hopes to check out Lao and Thai Dam land but it never came to be...until now. Sometimes, it takes time and funds and heart to get Refugee Nation to any city. I know there is interest from many communities throughout the US and we are so happy that the work we do does have an impact. We strive to continue to do this work and share it with as many people as we can. Here are are in Des Moines, IA riding with Mira touring the town. Enjoy the warm of the Pham family who are the most gracious hosts. We anticipate a wonderful turn out for our performance tomorrow night at Grandview College. Destiny awaits us...destiny is now.

Bye Twin Cities, Hello Des Moines

Time flies by when you are traveling and touring three states in 10 days. Minneapolis rocks with the Lao Writer's Summit, after much hub-bub and an amazing Saturday night performance of spoken word, poetry, readings and performances...we had to take some time to rejuvenate, NOT! After a fun filled, let loose, laughing til your belly busted out after event celebration....we karaoke and cruised the streets of St. Paul seeking food for the hungry...Perkins anyone?! We had an adventurous time with Minneapolis host who had the audacity to entertain us in various ways with their talents. I must say...thank you deeply to Bryan Thao Worra, Saymoukda Vongsay and Catzie Vilayphonh for being such a great trinity for this Lao Writer's Summit. You three overshadow the talents of the Three Stooges. We love you and look forward to another round of antics that will always be remembered.

We've now moved on to Iowa. We are in Des Moines ready to rock this town with our Refugee Nation sensation. I hear there are Lao peeps in Des Moines so if you are reading this come out to the show. I've attached a flyer. Come share in our experience. It's been great to meet some wonderful people who've just are generous. Mira Yusef of MONSOON and our love host Thao and her family. Thank you. Thank you. We love you. A night rest until tomorrow.

Laotian American Writers Summit Day 1

What happens at the first Laotian Writer's Summit taking place in Minneapolis, MN. Well...a lot of laughter, food, fun and discussions. Day one has been full of laughter as jokes are thrown around amongst friends and colleagues. This summit gathers a memorable collective of characters fresh and familiar with each other. Guests and artists from Washington D.C., Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Illinois, Vermont, Pennsylvania, California and even Nebraska all jump into this monumental event with fervor. Food fuels conversation amongst like minds. Fun in the loose way of open space technology. Interns and volunteers sharing one word poem.

Thanks to wordsmith Bryan Thao Worra for bringing wonderful poets, playwrights, screenwriters, lyricists and spoken word artists together.

Lao people are comedic.