Special Southeast Asian New Year Celebration

We're honoring Southeast Asian thought leaders this year and will be having conversations with folks about their experiences and contributions as Southeast Asian artist and talent.

This program includes a traditional senior blessing ceremony, performances, and a reception featuring Thai, Cambodian, Lao and Burmese food.

About the Speakers

Neo-soul singer Bochan (Bochan Huy) is a Cambodian American artist based in Oakland, California. Born in Cambodia, her musical stylings and influence is a culmination of her experience as both a refugee and diaspora raised in the melting pot of the Bay Area. Bochan grew up singing in her father’s Cambodian American bands. Honoring traditional style and stepping bravely away, she ushers in a new musical age. In collaboration with her long time producer, Arlen Hart Ginsburg, her sound is best described as a hybrid of traditional and contemporary filled with acoustic melodies and funky electro beats. Her music is genre bending combining a spectrum of influences from her Khmer rock roots to pop, jazz, and soul. Bochan’s music video for “Chnam Oun 16” (a cover of the classic 1970s Cambodian rock song) reinterpreted into components of hip hop and reggae paired with soulful, socially conscious English vocals layered over the Khmer chorus and guitar riffs landed her into the 3rd spot for VEVO’s “Most Liked” artist during its release week (2011). Bochan’s music has since been featured globally in music festivals, venues, media, films, and national music conferences. Her dedication to creating visibility and representation of the Cambodian American diaspora in the music and arts industry has earned her accolades in the community from various organizations to the State Senate in her home state.

KP, also known as Khetphet Phagnasay, is a Lao-American actor, director, producer, and stuntman. He has worked on various projects, including the acclaimed Netflix series "Dahmer; Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," where he portrayed Sounthone, the father of a 14-year-old Laotian victim. He also shared a scene opposite Michelle Yeoh in The Brothers Sun.He has also been involved in films such as "God is an Astronaut," "Demon Fighter," "Street of Hope," and "Hollywood Road Trip," among others. KP has a strong background in stage acting and has portrayed notable characters such as the King in "The King and I," Song Liliang in "M. Butterfly," Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and Dr. Sun Yat Sen in "Sun Yat Sen: The Mouth of A Dragon," which was a recipient of the David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award and a Pulitzer Prize nominee. Born in Laos on February 1, 1973, KP escaped to the United States as a refugee in the 1980s due to the Vietnam War conflict. He grew up in Oswego, Illinois, then moved to Waianae, Hawaii, before settling in Clovis/Fresno, California. He obtained his B.A. in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno, and pursued further education in Asian Theatre, focusing on acting, at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. KP has also traveled to Japan, Taiwan, and mainland China as a performer.

Kevin Tancharoen is a director, writer, producer, and choreographer. His feature directing credits include Glee: The 3D Concert Movie for Fox and Fame for MGM. Tancharoen has directed multiple episodes of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., HBO Max’s Warrior, The Flash, 12 Monkeys, Titans, Amazon’s Prison Break event series and Mortal Kombat: Legacy. He most recently directed on "The Mandalorian" spin-off "The Book of Boba Fett" for Lucasfilm as well as directing and executive producing Thai Cave Rescue, a limited series at Netflix from Jon M. Chu and SKG. Prior to his film and TV directing career, he directed Britney Spears' "Onyx Hotel" tour, choreographing her "Me Against the Music" video; remixed projects for Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Tyrese; and contributed creatively to Britney Spears' "Dream Within a Dream Tour" and *NSYNC's "Pop Odyssey Tour.” The Brothers Sun starring Michelle Yeoh for Netflix and Brad Falchuck, was released on January 4th 2024 to rave reviews by both critics and fans alike . He directed the pilot and served as the executive producer of the series. Currently, he is in Atlanta working on a new series called "Teacup" for Atomic Monster, James Wan and Peacock. He is an executive producer and will direct the finale block.

See more  Michelle Meow Show programs at The Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California.

Our thanks for the generous support of The Bamboo Organization for making this program possible.