New Year, New Blessings. We're back again - to eat on the saht with you and wrap your wrists with well wishes, then tell our stories before inviting you into our lumvong circle. An old ritual with new friends.

As part of Institute of Contemporary Art's Gather series Laos In The House presents #BLESSED, a Lao New Year Pop-up Dinner on the ICA outdoor terrace on Saturday May 6. The event will focus on Lao traditional cuisine and sharing stories of Lao refugees.

The evening will start with a Baci/Su Kwon ceremony, complete with a pa kwon blessing tree and maw pon chanting prayers. Guests will learn elements of Lao New Year and how to give each other thread blessings.

With catering by Vientiane Cafe, traditional Lao dishes will be served to guests sitting on the floor. Chef proprietor Sunny Panthavong will recount her family’s humble beginnings into becoming Philly’s first Lao restaurant and Ammala Douangsyvanh from T.O. NAM Sausage, Inc. will share her mother’s story of starting a Lao foods company in Providence, RI.

Critically-acclaimed, NEA award-winning poet Bryan Thao Worra will read his works, reflecting on his background as an adoptee from a country mired in a secret war and his 30-year search across the globe for a long-lost family.

The dinner will feature a soundtrack comprised of Lao karaoke videos and classic songs performed by the Lao Heritage Foundation. Lastly, a Lumvong dance circle will end the night with a Salavan demo inviting guests to the dancefloor.

#BLESSED Save The Date: 5.6.17 and RSVP here.

In the words of our favorite hillbilly, Happy Pee Mai! We joined forces with designer Tony Innouvong to get it in at as many Lao New Year festivals along the East Coast this time around. We're trying all the foods of course, but also capturing the stories and sharing in the celebrations with new friends. Stay tuned to see what adventure each temple had to offer us for year 2559.

Providence: Wat Lao Buddhovath 88 Limerock Road Smithfield RI

Our favorite holiday to end and begin all holidays - Lao New Year! Yes we know that the official date takes place mid-April but have our people ever been on time? This party, aptly named #BLESSED is taking place on Saturday May 7th in Philly and includes some good friends of ours, Manila and Kris of #IEatLaoFood!

Details are still being finalized but we hear there'll be old school Lao karaoke jams, a monk to officiate a water blessing, and lots of eating delicious Lao on the floor while getting to know your neighbor's spice level. We hope to see you then - so mark your calendars and save that date!

In the words of our favorite hillbilly, Happy Pee Mai! We joined forces with designer Tony Innouvong to get it in at as many Lao New Year festivals along the East Coast this time around. We're trying all the foods of course, but also capturing the stories and sharing in the celebrations with new friends. Stay tuned to see what adventure each temple had to offer us for year 2559.

Manassas: Wat Lao Buddhavong , 3043 Catlett Road Catlett, VA, 20119

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Celebrate Southeast Asian New Year with SoutheastbySoutheast
Saturday, April 16, 2016

From 3-5PM join us for cooking classes featuring Southeast Asian cuisine!
Choose from these great chefs:
Manila & Kris of #IEatLaoFood (Lao)
Peh Peh, Ma Kay Saw & Naw Doh (Karen) 
Ah Ti (Shan)
TBA (Nepalese)
(Locations TBA when you register)

From 5–8 PM a neighborhood potluck dinner party will follow!
Featuring live music with The Banna Papern Band from Montreal and traditional Khmer dancers from the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, and presentations from our Southeast Asian chefs.

The Mill, 2115 South 8th Street, 2nd Floor.
Community feast is free if you bring a dish to share.

All are welcome! RSVP here.

In the words of our favorite hillbilly, Happy Pee Mai! We joined forces with designer Tony Innouvong to get it in at as many Lao New Year festivals along the East Coast this time around. We're trying all the foods of course, but also capturing the stories and sharing in the celebrations with new friends. Stay tuned to see what adventure each temple had to offer us for year 2559.

Binghamton: Wat Lao Samakhitham, 2040 U.S. 11 Castle Creek, NY, 13744

In the words of our favorite hillbilly, Happy Pee Mai! We joined forces with designer Tony Innouvong to get it in at as many Lao New Year festivals along the East Coast this time around. We're trying all the foods of course, but also capturing the stories and sharing in the celebrations with new friends. Stay tuned to see what adventure each temple had to offer us for year 2556.

St. Petersburg: England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Avenue North, Pinellas Park, FL, 33781