Last weekend, the weekend before the Lao New Year, we drove down to San Diego to spread the word about our show. First stop was the San Diego Police Department Multicultural Center also known as "the storefront." There Ajan Somsack kept a captivated audience of this year's Lao Beauty Pageant contestants and supporters while he was going over the preparations for the Lao New Year Festival. We arrived just in time for Ova to tell the 40 or so people assembled about the show that was coming to San Diego for the Festival as well. The place was a buzz with all the activity, Fashion Show practice was in the next room along with the break dancers rehearsing. We then drove to April's house, our coordinator, and she drove us to all the Lao businesses in San Diego. Seven o'clock rolls around and then we get a call. Ajan Somsack asks "Where are you guys?" We reply "We're on our way, you said 7:30" Then he says "You need to get here soon!" So we make our last stop and head over to Ajan Bounmy's house. There we were, Ova, Leilani, and our patient friend Bangbay who joined us for the ride. The house was FULL of Ajans, husbands and wives. And after dinner we were requested to perform an excerpt of our show. We were nervous. So busy with production we haven't had much time to rehearse. And here we were before a room full of elders and not just any elders, these were the first wave founding members of the Laotian Community in San Diego, educators, doctors, people who really know all there is to know about Laos. So in the living room with about 20 Ajans and family looking on, we performed the first 5 min of our scene Ajan/Ajan. After the performance, there was silence, a pause, and then, clapping. Then Ajan Bounmy raises his hand, "Can I ask a question?" So, Ova in his best Lao-glish proceeded to answer the many questions from the Ajans. "Why do we do this? How did we get started? Why haven't we seen anything like this before." A theater piece about our people? About Laotians? And so, we stayed until at least 11pm when despite the offers of glasses of wine, we said our goodbyes got promises that they would come see the show and bring everyone they know, and hit the road back to Los Angeles for our two hour drive. Getting home at 1:30AM! Now that's what we call OUTREACH!
Proof positive that we ventured into the depth of Lao San Diego.
1. Ova and Mr. Somsack at a dinner party with San Diego AJANS!
2. Muang Luang Imports off of Market St.
3. Lunch at Sang Dao restaurant.
4. A visit to one of the Lao temples.
5. Mekong Village where food and fun happens.
