Hmong fashion show unveils new talent
A 16-year-old beauty, Ms Yer Vang, won first prize at a Hmong fashion
show held in Xaythany district in Vientiane over the weekend.

The well presented and intelligent Ms Yer is a member of the well-
known performance group Nasala, which explains her excellent singing,
dancing and stage presence.

Audience members were captivated by her beautiful voice when she sang
the traditional song Khubthoum , bestowing praises on government
leaders in her mother tongue...more info and photos >>

Ms Yer also won the popular vote from the audience in addition to
being awarded first place by the judges.

Over two nights, audiences flocked to enjoy the spectacular fashion
show and performances of traditional Hmong dancing and singing.

Thirty-one participants from the district were selected to take part
in the show by showcasing traditional Hmong clothing and culture,
while competing for prizes.

Ms Chua Her, a 17-year-old participant taking a course in
environmental studies at the National University of Laos, said after a
month of rehearsals and preparation she had learnt how to live
alongside different people and express and share ideas and feelings.



She decided to take part in the show because she wanted to entertain
people with her singing and dancing skills.

“I felt so excited about performing on stage with friends in front of
a crowd. I believe the show has helped build up my confidence and
ability,” Ms Chua Her said.

A highlight of the event was a group dance involving all participants
dressed in traditional Hmong costumes that originated from Luang
Prabang, Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.

Various community groups from Xaythany district were invited to
entertain audiences with singing and dancing performances during the
event.

Xaythany District Governor Bounthong Phommachan said the fashion show
was held to coincide with the Hmong New Year which occurs next month,
and aimed to promote tourism in the district.



“We spent a lot of effort and resources to organise this show because
we want to preserve and encourage Hmong culture, so people in Laos and
foreign countries can learn more about Hmong people and their customs
and traditions,” he said.

“Their performances on stage will provide much pride for Hmong people
and encourage them to preserve and promote their cultural identity.”
Mr Bounthong hoped the success of the event would encourage other
ethnic groups to organise similar shows to preserve their cultures.

Organisers hope the event will became an annual affair.

By Vientiane Times
More photos at
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=22755395

Three former Nangsangkhan (Miss Pi Mai Lao) girls have just released their exciting first album, and are expecting huge successes after its release on Monday.

The three young singers from the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang have spent over a year preparing themselves to record and perform for their very first video CD release.


“It is all over for our production. The first album of my life has been released and I can say I gave it my al l,” 19-year-old singer, Phouthaly Keona, said... read more >>

“I can't tell you right now how much success this album will gain, but for me it's already been a gr eat journey.”

The band, called Spikes Girls, is made up of three glamorous young singers lead by Phouthaly Keona, 19, with Vichitra Phithanong, 17, and Chintana Soupadith, 19.

Their first self-titled album has 12 songs, which are no doubt going to be hits throughout the country.

Formerly Fleshy Girls, the band released an album in 2004, but after two of the three band members moved on to study, their producer decided to form a new group, and Vichitra and Chintana were found after participating in the Miss Lao New Year (Nangsangkhan) contest.

The girls began their training in 2004, but they also needed a new catchy name, and Spikes Girls was chosen.

When hearing the name, some people may remember British pop group the Spice Girls, who still hold a special place in people's hearts throughout the world. But these three spunky young women are soon to be regarded as the new Spice Girls of Luang Prabang, and with a little more local zest than their English counterparts, the Spikes Girls also aim to retain some of their cultures and traditions.

Can you tell us a bit about your lives before joining the group, and what its like to be a Spikes Girl?

Phouthaly Keona:

I was one of the seven of Miss Sangkhan's of Luang Prabang, in 2003 before I joined.

Vichitra:

I sang lots of karaoke with my friends before joining the band. I applied to the Miss Pi Mai Lao contest in Luang Prabang in 2004, and there the boss from Fanfam Music Company heard my voice and after being a Nangsangkhan finalist, and perhaps from my heart touching song, he invited me to be one of the Spikes Girls.

Chintana:

After school we usually spend our free time doing singing training and having dan cing lessons. It hasn't been a really hard album to produce, and the video was great fun to make, because we shot most of it in the nice places around our hometown of Luang Prabang.

We have tried to fit our own style into our music, which is quite modern, and now have done one show at the National Culture Hall and the Lao-ITECC in Vientiane , as well as some performances in our province. It's all been really fun.

By vientiane times
(Latest Update May 16, 2007)