Events in 2011
Cultural Exchange Program to Laos (July 5-29, 2011)
For the first time ever, a cultural exchange program was created to bring Lao-American traditional dancers and musicians to learn directly from the masters at the National School for Dance and Music in Vientiane, Laos. This program was a collaboration between LHF, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Ministry of Information and Culture, the National School for Dance and Music, the National Ensemble of Music, and the US Embassy in Vientiane.
There were 12 students and 5 parents & staff. The students received two weeks of intensive training before performing with their teachers from the school and other professional artists. The show was televised live by Lao Star TV to 26 countries. It was a big success, as shown by the large turnout, attendance by senior leadership of the collaborating institutions, and overwhelming positive feedback.
Besides learning the art of music and dance, the students also learned about their culture in a full-immersion environment. Almost every afternoon, language classes and field trips were held. The students visited museums, monuments, and culturally significant sites. Below are some pictures documenting their experience.
LHF 7th Annual Cultural Show & Fundraiser-The Art of the Written Word (Oct 1, 2011)
The 7th annual cultural show at Arlington, VA celebrated Lao writers. Our featured artists include Thavisouk Prasavath, Norasack Pathammavong, Mali Phonpadith, Penn Hongthong, Bounchanh Senthavong, and Youme Landowne. We had a panel with all of the writers and authors, book signing, peformances by LHF students, birthday cake to celebrate one of our student’s birthday, and lum wong to round off the evening.