Refugenius

Me Going To Robert McKee Seminar!

2010-09-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

The Loft Brings Robert McKee's Story Seminar to the Upper Midwest for the First Time ... and I've got myself a spot, front and center!

~September 29 - October 2~

"The Loft Literary Center in association with the Minnesota Film and TV Board, IFP Minnesota, The Playwrights' Center, The Screenwriters' Workshop, and MCTC, brings Robert McKee's world-famous Story Seminar to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul." -loft.org

I'm really excited to attend this seminar!!! Robert McKee is a MASTER at storytelling. His seminars have sold out worldwide - screenwriters, actors, directors, authors, etc. all scramble to get a spot in the 4-day morning til night seminars and I am so lucky that I will be able to take part and gobble up everything he'll be teaching. This will probably be better than any MFA program *cough cough*.

note to self: buy a brand spanking new quality notebook for notebook will turn into a literary bible because apparently McKee's words be like gospels (yea, das rite, i pluralized dat.)

Place | Value @ The Soap Factory

2010-09-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! September 23rd at the Soap Factory in Minneapolis, writers and visual artists team up to bring you Place Value : a Talking Image Connection reading. Writers Barrie Jean Borich, Tim Nolan, Lynette Reini-Grandaell, Christian Villarroel, Lori Young-Williams, and Saymoukda Vongsay (thats me!) read poems and stories about diverse notions of place inspired by the exhibit Theory of Values - an installation of 15 MN artists curated by Sarah Shultz and Scott Stulen.

SULU Series

2010-09-12T18:35:00.001-07:00

Philadelphia, here I come.

DC, here I come.

New York, here I come.

Beam me up, Scottie.

The Sulu Series is named after Sulu of Star Trek, the first Asian American character to venture into the uknown galactic quadrant, and a remote island in the Philiphines.

Sulu DC is an underground, grassroots network for Asian American and/or Pacific Islander American (AAPI) artists, fostering relationships with local and national activist organizations, nurtures the artistic development of emerging AAPI artists and builds inter-generational alliances with cities across North America in preparation for the biennial APIA Spoken Word & Poetry Summit which will be held in the TWIN CITIES, MN this year!!

Once a month, they host a performance showcase of emerging and established AAPI artists in music, spoken word, video, and multidisciplinary performances. There's a three-city East Coast performance circuit that includes: DC, Philadelphia, and NYC.

3rd Fridays in Philadelphia: "Family Style Open Mic" hosted by Yellow Rage

3rd Saturdays in DC: hosted by Regie Cabico, Brian Wang, Simone Jacobson, and Jenny C. Lares
3rd Sundays in NYC: hosted by Taiyo Na and DJ Boo

September marks the 5th year anniversary of Sulu Series, and it also marks the last monthly show NYC will be doing. After this month, they will be closing their doors (for now). September's showcase will be a benefit for the 2011 APIA SPOKEN WORD & POETRY SUMMIT in the Twin Cities.

Lao Artist Festival part 1

2010-08-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

The first Annual Lao Artists Festival was held in Elgin, Illinois and organized by the Lao Professionals of Illinois. There was an incredible round-up of heavy hitters such as:

Khampa Bouaphanh - photographer and photojournalist who has covered a wide spectrum of assignments, notably the war in Iraq, the Asian tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. He was twice named photojournalist of the year by the Houston Press Club.

Thavisouk Phrasavath - filmmaker, screen writer, and author who is an Oscar nominated and 2010 Emmy winner for the documentary, The Betrayal, which he was both subject and co-producer. He has two upcoming books, Step Out of the Womb and Old Seed On The Soil, and a new screenplay for his upcoming feature Lover Beloved.

Kevin Vong - fashion designer who graduated with honors and was a Presidential Scholar for two consecutive years from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He owns a boutique in Manhattan and one of his creations was featured in the soap opera, As The World Turns.

Ajahn Malavanh Douanphoumy - Lao traditional music recording artist and professor who sings the art of folk song, lum, has studied at the National Academy for the Arts and has traveled internationally (Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Burma, Singapore, Russia, Germany, France, Spain, etc) as an ambassador of the Lao folk art. She's worked on over 50 recording projects, 15 of which were solo albums.

Ajahn Bounseung Synanonh - Lao traditional Kaen musician and professor who is considered one of the world's best. Master Synanonh recorded the album, Bamboo Voices under the World Music Institute label under the direction of world-renowned ethnomusicologist Terry Miller. He's also performed for President Reagan at a White House cultural event in 1987, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to more than 10,000 festival goers.

Nor Sanavongsay - Interactive Media artist from Illinois. He is trained in both design and programming of interactive media. He’s created award winning projects for retail giants such as Sears, Motorola, and many others. He is currently working on two children’s book which he plans on publishing within the year. During his rare off-hours, he donates his time to design posters and flyers for many community services across the US.

Malichansouk Kouanchao - Visual Artist, Web and Interactive Designer whose multidisciplinary works explore the relationship between art, transformation, and communal healing. She serves on the advisory committee for Legacies of War, a national project established to raise awareness of the Secret War in Laos, as well as to advocate for further U.S. support toward the removal of cluster bombs and increased aid for cluster bomb survivors. She is the subject of the new childrens' book “Mali Under the Night Sky” by Youme Landowne, a recipient of a 2010 Bush Artist Fellowship and a 2010 Asian Pacific American Leadership Award from the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, and the Bush Artist Fellowship.

Sisavahn and Oulinthong Sihanath - Crafts and Jewelry Designers who create cultural pieces for Temples and weddings.

Ova Saopeng and Leilani Chan - Theater directors and performing artists from Los Angeles. They are the Founding artistic directors and artists of TeAda Productions Company and creators of Refugee Nation, a play about the Lao-American experience based on stories of Lao communities across the US.

Pom Khrampradith - Lao traditional dance instructor and director of the Lao Heritage Foundation Pacific Northwest Chapter. She's also the artistic director of Kinnaly, a Lao traditional dance and music troupe based in Seattle, WA where she teaches over 60 second generation Lao American youth. Her teaching and work experiments with incorporating contemporary Lao music and dance styles.

and then of course, Catzie, Bryan (who was honored with a Literary award), and Saymoukda were also there - rocking the house with our poetry at a workshop for the Lao community in Elgin.

Kids say the darnedest things during spoken word poetry performances.

Lao Artist Festival part 1

2010-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love the youth. Khampa capturing Lao Hip Hop artists performing.

Photo-op with traditional dancers and Lao reggaeton artist Alex San Dinero

Master Bounseung and Master Malavanh perform a traditional Lao song
during the awards ceremony at Hemmens.

Goofing around backstage before the big show.

A dancer from the Kinnaly dance troupe performing The Monkey King and The Mermaid.

Musician Ketsana and MC Vannasone singing goodbye to the happy people after the awards ceremony.

Ketsan, Khampa, traditional dancers, Catzie, Me, Ova

The 3 Literary Stooges, as we are known.

Catzie and I with legendary singer Voradeth Ditthavong and Silavong Keo

Look at us with our totally rad certificates!!

Lao American Writers Summit: The Good, The Bad, and The Lao'd

2010-08-18T03:37:00.000-07:00

Our interns and volunteers pretty much perfectified the nitty gritty of the summit.
Here we have Danny countin' the dough.

Everybody say, "Kaoh neaow!"

Summit Chair Bryan Thao Worra, Lori Phanchichone and friends.

Our adorable and hard-working interns!
Say, "Sabaidee, kids!"
Kids: "Sabaidee!"

Beautiful Chanida, blushing from all of the corny and wonderful things I had to say about her leadership-taking-no-surrender-to-vendors-or-interns attitude. Chanida oversaw the aspects of catering, volunteer and intern recruitment, website and viral publicity, and sooo much more!
Don't let that innocent looking smile fool you, she's one tough cookie.
Loves her.

Official LAWS t-shirt.

Michael, Saymoukda, and Thavisouk: L-A-O
lunching @ Pho Tau Bay

Powerhouse scholar, Bounheng, telling the kids whats really good. Boungheng Inversin is a prominent Asian American activist and community member who has played a prominent role in Laotian refugee resettlement through her involvement with the Lao American Womens Association in Washington D.C. and many other causes. With Daniel Duffy, she edited the 1999 short story collection of Outhine Bounyavong, Mother ' s Beloved:Stories from Laos, presented by the University of Washington Press.

2010 Emmy winner, 2009 Academy Award (Oscar) and Film Independent Spirit Award nominated Thavisouk Phrasavath is an accepted member of WGAW (Writer Guild of America West). Also a creative consultant for film, television and other media, Thavi has directed documentaries, dramatic short and music video for independent record label and artists, published poetry and won awards for paintings and illustrations. Author of the upcoming book Step Out of the Womb (Memoir of the Journey to Land Where the Sun Fall) and Old Seed On The Soil (Planting Generation) and a new screenplay for his upcoming feature Lover Beloved. His background in community work includes assisting Gang Prevention for Youth and Family Crisis Intervention and working with the police as a liaison and consultant for the Lao community. Thavi has consulted for the New York City Board of Education. The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) was the film that he was both subject and a filmmaker.

Catzie Vilayphonh is a Lao American writer and performer. A child of refugees, she was born prematurely on the way to America, and considers herself part of the ".5 Generation". A member of the spoken word duo Yellow Rage, Catzie appeared on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam in 2001 and performs at various venues across the country. She has performed with Ursula Rucker, Sarah Jones, Danny Hoch, Beau Sia and I Was Born with Two Tongues. Vilayphonh was the Fashion Director for two.one.five magazine in Philadelphia, where she also wrote her weekly column Catz Out The Bag interviewing everyone from designers to directors and artists to actors. She was also the Transmit Editor for Theme Magazine, a contemporary Asian American culture publication based out of New York

Mali Phonpadith is a Lao American writer/poet. She is the co-founder of Reflections Within, LLC and she has been writing poetry, short essays, and short stories for over 20 years internationally. She has over 400 pieces of written work and was nominated as Best Poet of the Year by the International Society of Poets in 2007. Mali has been a tireless activist within the community, and often volunteers many hours and resources to the causes she loves, including the Young Professional Leadership Group, the International Society of Poets, the National Association for Women Business Owners, the Lao Heritage Foundation, Arts of Falls Church and is an active volunteer with Teatro de la Luna.

Alfred C. Carey Prize in Spoken Word Poetry

2010-08-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, I received the 2010 Alred C. Carey Prize in Spoken Word Poetry for my poem, "When Everything Was Everything" from New York poet, playwright, and journalist Brandon Lacy Campos, who started the award to honor his Grandfather Alfred Charles Carey.

"I started this award to honor my Grandfather...[who] was a tremendous human being...a working class mixed race man of Irish and Ojibew descent. His Mother, Suzanna, was born on La Courte Oreilles Reservation in Wisconsin, and my grandfather worked his whole life as a roofer. He was a scion of one of the original families of Duluth, MN and he was the gentlest soul I have ever met. I love and honor my grandfather. He was, in many respects, the ideal male figure in my life, and I miss him dearly."

-Brandon L. Campos

To read "When Everything Was Everything," please visit My Feet Only Walks Forward

Lao American Writers Summit

2010-08-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! I'm so excited! I hope you all come and join me for the first national Lao American Writers Summit I'm chairing this month on August 13th-15th at the world-famous Loft Literary Center.

We have Lao writers and artists coming from all over the country, meeting each other for the very first time to see how we can help each other take it to the next level! The last few months have been funky fresh and totally killer as we got help from some many wonderful people and organizations to make this event possible. We only have a few spaces left for the program but we want you to know we're totally committed to making this awesome. Even if you can't join us for the whole thing, come join us for the free public reading at 7PM at the Loft Literary Center at 1011 Washington Avenue South in Minneapolis on Saturday, August 14th! It's a Pioneer Press pick of the week! www.laowriters.org

Summit Committee: Bryan Thao Worra, Catzie Vilayphonh, and me.

Hip Hop Asians Take Over Bay Lake!

2010-06-24T01:27:00.000-07:00

Kicking it with APA Youth at Bay Lake Camp

Sassy, intelligent, talented youth. Multiply this pyramid by 4 and you've got the illest next generation of leaders.

Q: What do you get when you put 42 joke-cracking teenagers, one of the most respected DJs in the game, and a Lao poet who rocks wrestling shoes in the same room with no AC?

A: A 3 hour workshop on culture, civic engagement, hip hop, and leadership followed by one crazy ass dance party, thats what.

So my DJ and I drove the 3 hours to Deerwood, MN from the Twin Cities. A couple of hours into our drive, we got into the small town of Garrison and realized that neither of us brought a digital camera. Too late to turn around and too broke to buy another one on the way.

Ilean called my cell, "Call me when you get here because then I can send out the ferry to pick you up. Oh by the way, we're on an island."

Here we are with thousands of dollars worth of equipment: turntables, mixer, computer, cables, microphones, and speakers (props to EMI in Mpls. for donating some equipment) about to go on a dinky ferry boat.

My partner turned to me and said, "If that ferry tips over, I'm saving the equipment. Just letting you know."

We got there and did what we went to do, son! To solve our 'no digital camera' problem, I told the kids to "tag me" on Facebook, and they did not disappoint. So to them, I'm thankful that I've got pictures.

Imperial DJ Science telling the future leaders of tomorrow:
"Its not about where you come from, its about where you're going in life."

Poking fun at Asiatic stereotypes.

These two were too cool to do the 'stanky leg', preferred dodging orbs.

Much love to Ilean Her and the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans for bringing my crew, Imperial DJ Science, out to Bay Lake Camp in northern MN earlier this month to perform and speak on the importance of using our talents and strengths to make moves in our communities. The Council's APA Youth Leadership Retreat is one of the illest out there because it promotes youth to be proactive rather than reactive. Participants are encouraged to be creative, to think analytically, and to find their own strengths and leadership style in order to create positive changes. How lucky was Imperial DJ Science to have been able to work with them?

We spent the night there. Bonded with the kids (can't possibly name them individually, there were 42 for crying out loud) after our workshop and dance party by telling ghost stories next to an open fire, a midnight hike on the island through the woods lead by "the DJ" (as the kids referred to him), late night mashed potatoes eating, followed by pranks involving campers faces, markers, and dental floss.

The next morning after everyone stuffed their faces with pancakes, sausages, and fresh fruits at breakfast, "the DJ" did a turntablism workshop. Participants tried their hands at beat mixing, counting beats, and learning about the equipment in general. Meanwhile, 200 yards away in another building, I performed pieces from No Regrets and gave a talk of creative writing, claiming identity, and being content in where I am in my life.

By the way, there was AC.

Why My Name Isn't My Name

2010-06-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

An Essay on Identity and Growing Up Hood-rich Published in Lao Americans Magazine

A few weeks ago, my essay "My Name Really Isn't My Name" and a prose piece titled, "When Everything Was Everything," was published by Lao Americans Magazine. "LaoAmericans is an independent online magazine based in northern California. Our aim is to share personal stories and experiences from a uniquely Lao American perspective."

The magazine is the child of Siamphone Louankang who not only is the Editor but contributes dialogue provoking articles as well - she's a Yale alum for goodness' sake.

click to teleport to my essay and prose piece

artist photo by Joseph Forman

World Refugee Day & InkTank

2010-06-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain, Go Away. Refugees Are Gonna Play!

This year, Lao American writer Bryan Thao Worra invited me to share the Folktale stage with him during this year's Twin Cities World Refugee Day. It rained the entire time which brought up this question amongst my circle of friends who were standing under umbrellas:

"Whys it gotta rain? We, as refugees can't even get ONE day for ourselves without this bullsh*t rain."

However, there were also others in my cirlce who remained positive by saying:

"All the bright smiles I'm seeing before me is all the sunshine I need! We can will the clouds to part and the sun to shine, beautiful people."

Here I am trying to smile the rain away!

So, World Refugee Day...what is it about, you ask? According to their website, "under international law, a refugee is someone who is “unable or unwilling to return to and avail himself or herself of the protection of his or her home country or, if stateless, country of last habitual residence because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” Often, a refugee is someone who has been forced from their home country by war, civil conflict, political strife, or gross human rights abuses. Even survivors of natural disasters are not in the same position. However great their needs may be in terms of food, shelter and health care, their governments are usually sympathetic towards them. However, natural disasters occurring in conjunction with civil strife or persecution may exacerbate a refugee situation."

Notice that the ethnic Lao is NOT included in this data.
Oh wait, maybe we're under "Others"?

R-E-F-U-G-E-E,
find out what it means to me
R-E-F-U-G-E-E,
dancing! and po-et-treeee!
ahhhhh!

(to be sung in Aretha Franklin's song, "Respect")

With Linda Chanda and David Zander, a young Russian traditional dancer, a balloon artist, event congestion - not so much.

inkTANK Chapbook Release at The Loft Literary Center

After having spent a great chunk of the afternoon and earlier part of the evening at World Refugee Day, Linda - Bryan - and I decided that we were hungry as heck and that Applebee's was starting to look really good. Actually, Applebee's had looked more than good for the past hour. We were THAT hungry!

I had agreed to help out at The Loft for inkTank's chapbook release party. In case you don't know what inkTank is they're a "council of teenagers supported by the Loft Literary Council. We organize events and activities to facilitate and empower the Twin Cities teen literary community."

Their mission and program "is designed to encourage and empower high school students to use literary tools to express themselves. inkTank exists as a self-sufficient working group of teens who are supported and guided in workshops by Loft staff, writers and community artists."

Dustin, John, moOks, and Ardie: best party set-up team in the world.

Dinner With APA Leaders

2010-05-18T00:59:00.000-07:00

Asian Pacific American Heritage Dinner and Leadership Awards
The annual APA Heritage Dinner was held on May 15th at the Crowne Plaza in celebration of Asian American Heritage Month and to recognize leaders in the community. The Council On Asian Pacific Minnesotans 2010 Leadership Award Winners were: Malichansouk Kouanchao - Excellence in the Arts; Mao Heu Thao and Kaimay Yuen Terry - Community Service; and the late Dixie Lee Riley for a Lifetime Achievement award.

Dr. Franklin Odo gave a keynote speech. He was the founding director of the Asian Pacific American Program at the Smithsonian for 13 years and is an author, scholar, historian, and activist.

"With your help, we have been able to increase the representation of APIA perspectives at the Smithsonian and build networks of supporters across the country." -Dr. Odo

I sat with Mali's parents which meant I was on my best behavior. US Senator Amy Klobuchar came over to congratulate Mali's parents on having an exceptional daughter. The Senator then spent the next fifteen minutes meeting and taking photos with everyone. When I grow up, I want to be like her.

"You're going to regret it later, trust me," Senator Klobuchar, after removing my name tag before the picture was taken.

With my friend and award winner, Malichansouk Kouanchao. Mali is a visual artist who has inspired the direction of my work and those of others, no doubt. Get to know her and her work at djai.net/mali

Sneak attack on my dear friend Karen Lyu, who provided the musical entertainment for the night. Karen is jazz vocalist extraordinaire who flew all the way from Tennessee to be with us.

Fredina Latu, David Zander, and Saymoukda Vongsay. "It was a long day," said David after I made an outcry about his eyes being closed in the photo and wanted a re-do. Fredina, however, tolerates my diva behavior. =)

The Month That Was Good To Me

2010-04-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

April is a good month for Saymoukda Vongsay! Not only did I get published by a journal, I also got great reviews and feedback about my latest short-short play, AND I'm preparing for the 2010 MN Fringe Festival! Too bad I didn't make any money this month...

A short piece I wrote called, "Letter To My Unborn Self," was published by the Journal of Southeast Asian American Education & Advancement in their Vol. 5 2010 issue. I wrote the piece awhile back after I had returned from a family gathering. An uncle had reminded me, during a conversation comparing resettlement issues in France to America, I got a flashback of things I lived through as an refugee/immigrant in America. So the piece that got published in the journal is a letter written by my adult self to my fetus self, assuring myself that the life I will be born into will be a difficult one but also a special one.

A Few Earthly Seconds
The staging of my latest short-short play, A Few Earthly Seconds, was received and praised with words like, powerful, imaginative, stark, and emotional during April's Madness at The Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis.

I was inspired by Russian author Ludmilla Petrushevskaya's style of writing, nekyia, where time becomes artificial - think Alice in Wonderland.

To make a long explanation short: a dead man's lesbian soul has crossed over to a parallel reality where she is confronted by another entity, her own fears, and the aftermath of what happens to souls due to suicide. I'm actually considering rewriting this one for the Fringe Festival, even though I initially wanted to do Yellowtail Sashimi.

The play was directed by Rachel Austin, and featured actors Heidi Berg, Dylan Fresco, and Suzie Cheng.

The Unit Collective is bringing Madness to the MN Fringe Festival this summer!
We're guaranteed a production spot in the 2010 MN Fringe Festival. According to our current plan, we're going to do what we do best to the Fringe - eight scenes from our core writers. The festival goes from August 5 - August 15.
One of our core writers, May Lee Yang will be doing her one woman show, "Ten Reasons Why I'd Be A Bad Porn Star." Earlier in the year, her show was a part of the Light Up series at Illusion Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
Another one of our collective members, Dylan Fresco, has a slot too! Dylan is a man of many talents - he's a talented and mutli-faceted theater actor, writer, and plays a strange string instrument really well.
The Unit is doing big things, so make sure to check out all three different productions if you can!

Blasians and One World

2010-03-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

Blasian Night chapbook launch with Julian Hines and Judie N. Keys
at WATT MUNISOTARAM (Cambodian Buddhist Temple)

Earlier this month, I was blessed enough to be a guest artist for the chapbook releases of two emerging writers: my mentee Julian Hines, and my friend Judie N. Keys. It was held at the Cambodian Temple in Hampton, Minnesota. The show started out with traditional Cambodian dancers and then a showcase by Julian, who dedicated his dance piece to his grandmother.

The guest artists that got the night started were: Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, Jimi Warnick, Esteban Isaola, Ellemaj Faulkner, Celeste Larson, & hosted by award-winning writer May Lee-Yang.

There were also some amazing prizes! Like free Subway sandwich vouchers, jewelry, a copy of my chapbook No Regrets, scented candles, Jamaican flags, Cambodian flags, and so many others that I wasn't able to take a peek at. Make sure to grab a copy of Julian's chapbook, "I Remember...Clearly" and Judie's chapbook, "The Good Life." Google them!

photography by Alex Nok Phasy

MADNESS at The Playwrights' Center
In late March, The Unit Collective held another Madness event. I was the producing playwright and had a hell of a time doing it too. Not only did I came up with the theme, "Against the Grain," I also had to do the casting of actors for each script, finding directors, promotion, and food! It was a dope ass night, packed house, with music selection made by DJ Kool Akiem (MF Doom, Micranots, Rhymesayers).

Our special guest was Sha Cage, the founder and artistic director for the Minnesota Spoken Word Association. I consider Sha to be one of my mentors, someone that really took me under their wings and inspired me to be the best spoken word poet that I could be. About four years ago, I volunteered with MNSWA, acting as a youth producer and mentor to young emerging spoken word poets. If Sha hadn't tapped me to be a part of her world, I wouldn't have learned as much about my craft, poetry, and speaking our truths no matter what the consequences may be.
"One World" was the title of my short play, about a one world government, nano bots, and the anti christ. Lets just say...it offended many people...for the wrong reasons. BUT...it also went well with a lot of people who shared my dystopian outlook.

Actors Julian Hines and Clarence Wethern

So Busy These Past Five Months and Here's The Proof!

2010-03-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change Coalition 2010
Last month, I was lucky enough to be a part of the RIWC's annual luncheon to honor women who commit themselves to protecting the rights of women. Our keynote speaker was Leymah Gbowee. Bryan Thao Worra also performed, much to my amusement. After Ms. Gbowee's speech, I had the opportunity to ask her what her thoughts were on art and public policy together. I was concerned because at the time, my governor, Governor Pawlenty wanted to cut funding from the arts and put that money into prisons. Ms. Gbowee's answer was not only insightful but powerful.

Sharing the table with staff from the Lao Assistance Center and intently listening to Linda's question to Ms. Gbowee. For lunch we had herb chicken slow cooked in parchment paper with a side of spanish rice and salad. It was so yummy!

Linda Chandavong and I met keynote speaker Leymah Gbowee.

Madness at The Playwrights' Center.
February 2010's Madness was produced by co founding member May Lee Yang. Our guest directors that month were Jess Finney, Harry Waters Jr, and Ki Seung Rhee.

Discussing the depiction of Hoodrat Girl, from May Lee Yang's play, "Secret Asian Man," with director Ki Seung Rhee during rehearsals.

Members of The Unit collective of emerging playwrights of color and theater artists taking a bow after February's Madness at The Playwrights' Center. The theme that month was "Doorways". My short play, "Sid Hearts Ya" - squished a compassionate groundskeeper (Sid), a tortured poet (Cyrano), a revolutionary (Marcus), an evil scientist (Fu Manchu), and a religious fanatic (Savano) into one apartment building.

Madness at Playwrights' Center
January's Madness was curated by co founding member Eric "Pogi" Sumangil. The theme he decided to go with was "Comfort Food". Interestingly enough, two out of the 10 core writers wrote a script that dealt with death row and an inmate's last meal. I wrote a piece about asianphilia called , "Yellowtail Sashimi," about twin sisters with very different views on Lao American identity and the sexualization of their kind by 'asianphiles' - men and women who have shallow appreciation for yellow skins.

Madness at The Playwrights' Center
October 2009 - my debut as a playwright and co founding member of The Unit. The producing playwright for this month was Reggie Edmund with the theme, "New Beginnings." I decided to write about a set of friends who decided to remain in a neighborhood bought out by the city and the types of issues that pop up when the projects later become co-ops and hipster lofts.

Asian Pacific American Leadership Summit
Back in October of 2009, I attended a meeting of company CEOs, activists, community leaders, and local politicians to discuss what "leadership" meant to us, our roles in our communities, and how to think analytically in order to solve problems.

Participating in the Asian Pacific Minnesota Leadership Summit. Fall 2009 at the Lao Assistance Center in Minneapolis.

The Accidental Writer in Altra Magazine

2009-10-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Bryan Thao Worra the Accidental Writer

Late September, I had the opportunity to sit down with author and poet, Bryan Thao Worra to talk about his latest book, Barrow, published by Sam's Dot Publishing.
To read the entire interview, published by ALTRA MAGAZINE, visit the link:
http://www.altrazine.com/current.php

Madness at The Playwright's Center and Barrow

2009-10-15T00:47:00.000-07:00

United in Madness, Playwrights at The Playwright's Center!
Bryan + El Guante + Ibe + moOks = BARROW

THE UNIT is an INDEPENDENT COLLECTIVE of emerging playwrights of color and theater artists devoted to pushing the development of new work beyond the conventional parameters of play development.

Tuesday's show couldn't have been more perfect and better organized. I am so proud and excited to be a part of such a group of talented playwrights and theater actors! Current members of the collective are: Indira Addington, Lorena Duarte, Jessica Huang, Saymoukda D. Vongsay, Joe Luis Cedillo, Reginald Edmund, Anton Jones, May Lee Yang, Kristoffer Diaz, Juma Essie, and Eric Pogi Sumangil

We dedicated that night's performance to the memory of May Lee Yang's mother.

The long-awaited premiere of Bryan Thao Worra's follow-up to On The Other Side Of The Eye, BARROW is an all-new collection of Laotian American speculative poetry by the North Minneapolis resident. It dropped earlier this month to wide reception. Spoken word poets, El Guante and IBe Kaba, as well as myself (host), got the party started.

El Guante was recently chosen by the Twin Cities City Pages as the best slam poet of 2009.

From Guinea, West Africa, poet IBé Kaba is the author of “Bridge Across Atlantic.”

Barrow's publisher, Tyree Campbell, from Sam's Dot Publishing traveled all the way in from Iowa for the occasion, and we really appreciated it!

Brown Bag Luncheon with Southern MN Poets Society

2009-05-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Brown Bagged by Southern Minnesota Poets Society - Big XOXO to Sherry Quan Lee

The Southern MN Poets Society has invited me as a featured artist for this month's Brown Bag Luncheon Series and I am honored!

"No Regrets: Sharing Our Stories Without Fearing the Consequences," will focus on my experiences as a spoken word poet who oftentimes perform pieces which are proscribed by society as indecent or improper. As a writer, I don't want to feel as though I have to walk on egg shells, so I stomp the grounds and speak my intrinsic truths, regardless of how my stories will be received. Yaheard!? (i know, my grammar is pretty bad, aint it?)

I have Sherry Quan Lee to thank because initially, she was scheduled to give her workshop, "Writing That Saves Lives," but due to circumstances she encouraged me to take her place. Sherry is a writer, teacher, mentor, and the author of the books, Chinese Blackbird, and How To Write A Suicide Note: Serial Essays That Saved A Woman's Life. One of her poems inspired me to write an entire collection of poetry. Thats how amazing she is!

Her work is available on Amazon.com

Floating Worlds at the Soap Factory

2009-04-08T03:27:00.000-07:00

Spilling Secrets! Woo-ing 40 somethings! Imagining Memories and not a drop of alcohol in my body!

I (Saymoukda Vongsay) had another successful reading with volumes of thanks to the audience and my co-readers at the Soap Factory. I chose to share 'stark and brutally honest' poetry about family history and identity. My writing, a response to the inflated sculptures of visual artist Clive Murphy, probably garnered me a new fan base - 40 somethings.

The poem, "Almost Drowning," is an imagined re-telling of another's memory - the night communist soldiers stormed my grandfather's estate - told to me by my mother. The connection between "Almost Drowning" and the sculptures by Clive Murphy was simply, inflated plastic bags. In the poem, many families utilized inflated bags to help them escape a brutal reality, while Murphy manipulates the bags in ways they were not initially intended but for something more beautiful - as art.

Phenomenal writer: Lori young-Williams

My # 1-6 fans

Dance instructor/writer Julian Hines horsing

around with fitness & health consultant Yukari Kato

Signing a copy of my chapbook, No Regrets, for a fan.

*photos by Yukari Kato

Soap Factory and Boston Progress Radio

2009-03-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

Saymoukda hides secrets in trash bags...will come clean at the Soap Factory

FLOATING WORLDS:
A READING with Saymoukda Vongsay and others
I keeps it movin' in the month of April with an upcoming show alongside Clive Murphy's inflated sculpture installation, "Almost Nothing". The creative folks at Talking Image Connection teams up with the Soap Factory . Never before has an artist occupied the entire gallery! If you dig subversive & avante garde art - don't miss this!

*photo credit: Magnan Projects

******

Saymoukda gets SHUFFLED!
Back in November of 2008, back when I was just a little youth, Boston Progress Radio tapped me on the shoulder for their weekly column, Shuffled! They make it their business that the ipod contents of artists from the APA community be known. I feel like a celebrity to be in the company of Ishle Yi Park, Staceyann Chin, Blue Scholars, David Mura, Catzie Vilayphonh, etc...

To view the entire article, pop the hood:
http://www.bprlive.org/2008/11/13/shuffled-saymoukda-mooks-vongsay/

Listen MPLS!!

2008-11-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Writers and Rappers and DJs... oh my!!!

Bless their hearts, Alicia Steele, Franz Diego.com, and Noam the Drummer invited me to be a guest on their podcast show -- Listen MPLS -- earlier this week. It was the same night that the super sexy and beautiful deluxe Junot Diaz did a reading at Coffman... October 29, 2008.

here, have yourself a listen to the interview:
episode 17 featuring mooOoOoOoOOoks!
http://www.listentompls.com

*photo credit Alicia Steele

holding a brochure from the Twin Cities League of Pissed Off Voters, just us clowning outside of Radio K, captured in headphone glory ('turn my shits up, turn my headphones up').

Crime, Love, Politics

2008-10-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hip Hop and Activism in Alaska! Busting Bad Doods With Ed Lin and Bryan!
Sometime between the season of spring and winter, I found time to do shows, publish a chapbook, and travel to Alaska. Let's work backwards, shall we?

* * * * *

In the months of September and October I found myself in the land of Palin. Because I am mad patriotic the Anchorage Urban League invited me to perform and wax poetic about the importance of politics with youth -- primarily Southeast Asian communities -- for their Our Time 2008 workshops and the Remix the Vote Hip Hop Activism Summit. In the span of my one week stay, I visited temples, high schools, and the University of Anchorage performing my
poetry, giving mini lectures, doing Q&As, and hyped up kids to register to vote.

*photo credit Oscar Avellaneda

I was blessed enough to have kicked it all week with artists: Hueman Prophets (DC), Invincible (Detroit), and Troy Nkrumah (Nat'l Hip Hop Political Convention Chair by way of Nevada).
All the cats representing NYC: Toofly (world famous graffiti artist), Blitz the Ambassador, George Martinez (US Hip Hop Ambassador) and wifey Sylara.

* * * * *

In August writers, artists, and fans gathered at Amazon Bookstore (Mpls.) to celebrate the one year anniversary of Bryan Thao Worra's book, On The Other Side of the Eye. I was fortunate to have shared the mic with artists, Katie Ka Vang and Brandon Lacy Campos.

*photo credit Bryan Thao Worra

* * * * *

July's Crime and Love reading featured award winning novelist Ed Lin with author Bryan Thao Worra and myself. Ed was on tour promoting his latest book, This Is A Bust. That night I debuted my first chapbook, No Regrets, which contains a number of poems from almost a decade of writing.

*photo credit Bryan Thao Worra

Left to Right:
"On The Other Side of The Eye" by Bryan Thao Worra
"This Is A Bust" by Ed Lin
"No Regrets" by Saymoukda Vongsay

In Depth Biography

2008-03-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

ARTIST BIO

Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay is the Lao American author of No Regrets, a collection of poetry and haikus published by Baby Rabbit Publishing. A Minnesota-based spoken word poet, she has performed nationally across the United States and internationally in Italy and Japan. She has shared the stage with nationally acclaimed American artists. She has worked with the Anchorage Urban League of Young Professionals lecturing and performing at the university-level and local high schools to urge voter registration and civic engagement and also served as liaison between local government and the Southeast Asian community regarding public policy.

Vongsay is a founding member of The Unit, a collective of emerging playwrights of color. Her short plays are staged at The Minnesota Playwrights’ Center. Saymoukda Vongsay’s current projects include a second collection of poetry and prose, a novella, editing manuscripts for emerging writers, and co-facilitating writing workshops for women with award-winning writer May Lee-Yang. She is a co-chair of the first Lao American Writers Summit in Minnesota and has worked actively to support the work of Lao women writers and artists across the country to celebrate heritage, diversity and community development.

REFUGEE BABY

2008-02-01T23:12:00.000-08:00