Events in 2016

Lao New Year Performances (April 2016)

Each year, LHF students perform at the three local Lao temple and at the Lao embassy to celebrate Lao New Years. No matter the weather, the kids are such great sports and are always there. The kids participate in the religious ceremonies as well as the water fights at the end of the day.

Cultural Exchange Pragram: Luang Prabang Laos (July 2-July 30, 2016)

LHF took another group of students to Laos for the 2nd time. This time, the focused was Luang Prabang. The students spent 3 weeks in Luang Prabang receiving intensive music instruction during the day and doing cultural excursions in the evening and the weekend. The students visited historic sights as well as performed at the Children Cultural Center and the Orphanage School of Luang Prabang as well as other venues in Luang Prabang. The parents and students were very inspired by what they saw that LHF decided to look into building a program in Luang Prabang to support the eager youths that they met on their trip.

5th Annual Lao Art and Culture Summer Camps, VA (August 6-13, 2016)

Another awesome year at camp. The kids learned a lot. Firs the first time this year, we had a good number of students who learned saw. We were very excited to have Ajarn Bouseung Synanohn back with us again this year to teach khaen and Koo Nome to teach dance. The highlight for this year was the pool party. It was the first for LHF since it was such a hot year.

Annual Cultural Show: Back to the Roots (October 8, 2016)

Our theme this year is, “Back to the Roots.” LHF celebrated how we, the younger generation, connected to our Lao Roots.  LHF sent a challenge to all LHF students across the US to make a video showing how LHF has helped them connect to their roots.  Students answered the call from Virginia to Connecticut and all the way from Japan. The show featured the videos of the students telling us how LHF have helped them connect to their Lao roots and reminded us all about the reason why we do what we do at LHF. Special guest performer for the evening was Varadeth Ditthavong.

National Heritage Fellowships Award by National Endowment of the Arts: Ajarn Bounxeung Synanonh (September 28, 2016)

For his role in cultural preservation and promotion, and unrivaled virtuoso skill on the kaen, ajahn Bounxeung Synanonh was bestowed the National Heritage Fellowships Award by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on September 28, 2016. This is the highest honor that a traditional artist can receive in the U.S. Ajarn Bounxeung is one of the music master that has been a long time partner with LHF.