Reading Tuesday, October 26th

As part of Intermedia Arts new Beyond the Pure reading series, I'll be reading at Color Theory for the 21st Century: Readings by Writers of Color on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 7PM at Intermedia Arts. They're asking for a $5 suggested donation to support the series.

This reading will also feature some of my favorite Twin Cities writers including Sha Cage, e.g. Bailey, Beverly Cottman, Ibé, Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria and May Lee Yang. I'll also have copies of BARROW available at this reading.

This will also be the last day you can see the Legacies of War exhibit, which will be having its closing reception from 3 to 5PM with guided tours and reflections from everyone who's been involved, and some great refreshments. I hope you'll join us!

As Minnesota's premier multidisciplinary, multicultural arts center, Intermedia Arts builds understanding among people by catalyzing and inspiring artists and audiences to make changes in their lives and communities. They are a nationally recognized leader in empowering artists and community leaders to use arts-based approaches to solve community issues. From graffiti art to digital technology to performance art to spoken word, they work from the community up to unearth and enliven new and emerging artists and art forms while challenging and exploring the role of art in our lives.  Intermedia Arts is a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art.

Refugee Nation closes this weekend

The last four Refugee Nation shows begin Thursday night in Minnesota. This is the only nationally touring Lao American play in over 35 years.

And, this is the only production in the country to feature the full cast of the play as it is meant to be seen. People have come from across the country just to see this production in Minnesota, including California, Milwaukee and Iowa. It has received great press, but more importantly great audiences here in the Twin Cities who've helped make it not just a play but an experience. It has touched the lives of over four hundred people already through workshops, special performances and across the airwaves.

Don't miss it, and a big thank you to everyone who's been a part of this journey and who helped to spread the word!

Legacies of War: Our Shared Journey

One of the exciting interactive parts of the Legacies of War Exhibit coming to Minneapolis this month is ‎"Our Shared Journey," an interactive piece in the Legacies' exhibit, captures the journey of our immigration - from Laos, to refugee camp and our new homes in the U.S.

Exhibit goers can add their stories and memories to the map during the MN exhibition. What's your family's story? - Where did you come from? How did you get here? If you don't know, it's time to ask.

Article in Star Tribune: Living in war's shadow

A good article on the upcoming Legacies of War and Refugee Nation events at Intermedia Arts this month came out in the Star Tribune this week. We were also listed as an A-List event by the City Pages, so thanks for that.

There are a few parts that should probably be clarified including: A figure of 25,000 is given for the community estimate of Lao, while Hmong are considered between 60,000 to 70,000+, along with an indeterminate number of Tai Dam, Khmu and Mien, among other possibilities in Minnesota. Laos, as a nation the size of the United Kingdom (or Utah), has over 160 cultures living within its borders and nearby, so this can understandably get confusing sometimes.

Also, the 8 eyed bug I refer to is one of dozens of types of UXO remaining in Laos, particularly The BLU-42/B WAAPM (Wide-Area Anti-Personnel Mine) a spherical anti-personnel fragmentation minelet. This was fitted with several surface and trip-wire sensors for detonation, an anti-tampering device, and a self-destruct system.

You can see an example of this particular cluster bomb at the exhibit, thanks to Jim Harris who helped to provide several examples for us.

Also a clarification has been requested: The refugee camps were located outside of Laos, including Thailand. The biggest waves of refugees arrived in the 1980s, however, there are some who arrived in limited numbers during the 1970s. (including myself).

A big thanks is owed to Channapha Khamvongsa who has been instrumental in raising awareness of UXO in the community through Legacies of War. Please be sure to check them out.