ARTS

The $100,000 grant will support the creation and presentation of Hmong Futures, a new theater project illuminating the diverse stories of the Hmong diaspora in the Twin Cities.

Former Mu Tang Clan playwright Keiko Green combines fictional and historical horror in this five-person ensemble play.

The Mu Tang Clan Vol. 2 is centered on Asian American playwrights who identify as refugees, former refugees, or as descendants of refugees.

An immersive concert where you can indulge in an unforgettable fusion of LIVE original Hmong music, inspiring stories, and pure passion.

Preserving and Promoting Hmong American History: A Partnership with the Hmong Cultural Center Museum and Library

Saint Paul playwright Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay poured what she loved into her Kung Fu Zombies universe: lore, Lao culture, humor, science fiction, kung fu, hip hop, horror, strong femme characters.

Beginning May 4, local artists to hide free art pieces along the Lake Street corridor for a creative scavenger hunt that is open to everyone.

A Q&A with Vang about “Again,” produced by Theater Mu from March 29-April 16 in Minneapolis.

Local Hmong American playwright and theater artist Katie Ka Vang returns to Theater Mu for the world premiere of her and Melissa Li’s musical, Again. Weaving together unlikely friendships, complex family dynamics, and original songs, Again runs March 31-April 16 at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis.

From Marvel to DC, Sony, Disney, and beyond, professional stuntwoman and fight choreographer Michelle Lee has made the ultimate transformation to leading lady!

This new book provides a groundbreaking exploration of the historical significance of Hmong reverse appliqué and circumstances that led to the development of this unique textile art form.

Pao Houa Her (US, b. Laos, 1982) is known for her powerful photographs focusing on the Hmong diaspora in the United States and Laos, exploring themes of migration, displacement, and social and ecological resilience.

Hmong Educational Resources (HER) Publisher believes in the power of education and the impact of stories. We’re pleased to publish this new book, “My Love, My Life: Mov Kua Dlis Rua Kuv Me Nplooj Sab,” written by Hmong teacher, Ms. Pang Yang, and her Hmong students at Park Center Senior High School.

Kong’s Adventure is a children’s book that tells the story of my grandfather, Kong, and his journey to America. It takes place after the Laotian Civil War when the Communist Pathet Lao took over the Royal Lao government

Kia Vang, author of the new book, The Home We Built on 46th St., always knew that she needed a creative outlet to keep herself balanced at home through writing about her feelings and life experiences with a large Hmong family.

Jazz has never known borders, always showing up in unexpected places at unexpected times. We are thrilled to share a special partnership this year with our friends.

The beautiful thing about having a Hmong friend is not only about learning Hmong people and culture, but also a long-lasting friendship that ended up contributing to Hmong community and Hmong student learning in the education world.

Award-winning author Kao Kalia Yang delivers and inspiring tale of resourceful children confronting adversaries in the Ban Vinai refugee camp.

Water streamed from the showerhead and drummed onto the girl’s bare back as she sat balled up on her tiled shower floor. A reflection of the girl’s night ran through her head.

Fashion designers hold a special place in the Hmong community, especially from the Hmong history of Paj Ntaub to Hmong clothing and silver coin decorations on Hmong women’s, men’s and children’s apparel.

“Did you cook that?” asked her elder sister to her other sister. The girl was silent, observant. It was Nava, a traditional Hmong dessert of colored tapioca pearls and jelly in coconut and sugar syrup.

The girl pulled up her socks some more before entering through the restaurant door. Winter was starting to get to her. Her socks were Dollar Tree quality, threads porously woven into a thin sheath for her feet and ankles.

The girl’s heart dropped. Angst rushed down her chest and down to her belly and inside her intestines. A customer had marched up to the girl’s desk and pounded one hand down on the checkout counter.

As a child growing up, Xe Yang, a new Hmong author of the book, KUV POG, had always dreamed of traveling and experiencing new things like the character she wrote in her book.

“Hey, how are you?” asked the guy. The girl sighed louder than usual. Though it was Friday night, it felt like a Monday morning.

Bristles of hair stood erect on her bare legs as she tiptoed across the cracking ice sheets melting on the sidewalk. The girl wore a skirt again to work that day. She liked skirts, even in wintertime.

Dr. Brian Xiong: When my mother, Porche Yang, died in 2011, I didn’t get the chance to record her paj ntaub story.

“What changed you?” asked the bearded guy on the other end of the video line. This was the second time they’d video called, and the girl found most intriguing the red forest hairs invading the guy’s cheeks and upper lip, each bristle moving at every word he uttered.

I am amazed again and again by the power of Story Circles and creating from that place. As artists the time for deep listening, the curiosity and questions raised are such powerful roots to build what is possible.

“What are you doing here?” asked the girl, eyes staring toward the window. Cars drove away in single file like the migrating of birds. The workday was done, and traffic had to be beat.

The girl’s belly flipped as her phone dinged audibly from her left jean pocket. Shucks. How could she have left it on? The girl could have sworn that she’d silenced it.

As a child, Choua Xiong had always wanted to be an artist. As an adult, her passion, talent, and determination have led her to illustrate a recently published Hmong fairy tale, Puag Thaum Ub: Hmoob Xeem, written and told by Dr. Brian V. Xiong.

As a child growing up, Ya Po Cha had always wanted to become a medical doctor and give back to the Hmong community by helping Hmong patients and families.

“How was my day?” answered the woman with an elongated sigh. “My day was… good.” She tiptoed, lifted her hip, and planted her bottom firmly on the wheeled office chair, hands grasping at both armrests to maintain balance.

er Thao is currently pursuing her PhD in education and will be the first in her family to graduate with a doctorate degree. It is Thao’s hope and dream to inspire and develop curriculum that will support bilingual and multilingual students.

Many Hmong Americans can trace their families back to refugee camps and farming villages. They remember and were told stories about a time when walking to the nearest school took hours, and only a few boys had the privilege of receiving basic education in Laos and Thailand.

Dearest, My Love.
No matter how many times I think about it, I am not able to let you go, my love. Don’t mistake me. It has nothing to do with how you came into my life.

Funeral drums rumbled at the front of the crowd. A wedge of wood held the double doors wide open, as if welcoming spirits of all sort. Incoming was a trail of people, couples carrying Kawm (hmong backpack) on their backs, women and men wailed loudly like agitated children.

Niam Yim Leej
Snow didn’t know to fall on the refugee campground. That was the only home she’d ever known. Though she and her husband Yim Leej had settled their little family in Minnesota one fateful winter of year 1986.