EVENTS
SAVE THE DATES!
COMING SOON
The Past Is Present: New Montagnard Artists is a 6-month project to promote cultural continuity and builds strong relations between elder and young artists, introduces a writers' workshop, and expands MDA and MAO's reputation as more than a service provider. This project is made possible by funding provided from Creative Greensboro, the office of arts and culture of the City of Greensboro, through a Catalyzing Creativity Grant.
H'Rina DeTroy, Y-Danair B Niehrah, Y-Luin Niehrah, Writing Our Legacies: Montagnard Storytellers and Authors over Generations
April 9, 5:30-6:30 pm
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Join us for an exciting chance to chat with Y-Danair Niehrah, the author of Homeland: A Vietnam War Story of the Montagnards. Born and raised in South Carolina, young Rhade American Niehrah channelled his love for writing into penning his father's arresting stories of combat and survival. We'll be joined with his father, Y-Luin Niehrah, for a special evening discussing three generations of Montagnards and the craft of ghostwriting. For writers interested in the techniques of autobiographical and historical fiction, or preserving the stories of our indigenous elders, this is an event not to be missed!
Voices of the Highlands, A Digital Storytelling Project featuring Montagnard/Montagnard-American voices on identity, culture, and everyday life.
May 21, 5:30-6:30 pm
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Betsy Renfrew, A Historical and Technical Look at Backstrap Weaving.
Jun 2, 5:30-6:30 pm
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We draw on the expertise of an outsider who has worked with the Montagnard community and its weavers and has studied the history of backstrap weaving. Betsy’s collection was increased when Sister Gretchen entrusted her with several pieces given to her from weavers but that she could not take with her into retirement when she left North Carolina. In 2016, she worked with the NC Arts Council’s Folklife Office to ensure that Ju Nie and Ngach Rahlan received the governor’s Heritage Awards for North Carolina artists. In this presentation we will look at examples from the five tribes and invite questions and comments, and hear what happened and how the staff reacted when she brought several examples of Montagnard weaving into Washington DC’s outstanding Textile Museum.
Gelly Long, Who cares? I’m happy, aren’t you happy?
Jun 3, 5:30-6:30 pm
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Gelly Long, Montagnard/Cambodian dancer born and raised from Greensboro, North Carolina. He is a recent graduate from the University of Greensboro North Carolina with a BFA in Media Studies. During his time at UNCG, he performed local small events, made short dance films, and competed in all-styles events. Gelly is looking forward in his artistic future to find ways to express creative ideas and share them with his community.
During this public event we’ll get a chance to meet and talk with Gelly Long about a dance piece which is styled and inspired from progressive and conservative conflicts within his personal life and in the dance community. The storytelling elements of the piece are self reflections of thoughts and emotions translated into movement.
Ha Tong and friends, Taste of the Highlands: The Montagnard American Kitchen
Jun 4, 5:30-6:30 pm
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Montagnard Artists and Community, Montagnard American Organization: Celebrating Art, History and Community
Jun 5
Register at Eventbrite to attend live events or watch via Zoom and Facebook live.
This live event will be held on the campus of the Creative Aging Network NC (CAN-NC) located at 2400 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405. Due to likely COVID restrictions, we will follow public safety precautions that limit numbers of participants and spreads them out. For everyone's convenience we might also include sign-up times for attendance.
YOU MISSED IT!
WATCH THE RECORDINGS
Ysue Bujiang, Montagnard Baroque: The Montagnard Story Reimagined
March 19, 2021
Sachi Dely, Through Indigenous Eyes: Painted Reflections of the Montagnard Refugee Experience. From March 10, 2021
H'Rina DeTroy, Apocalypse Never: Writing Our Origin Stories and Imaginative Futures as Montagnard Americans. From February 26, 2021