Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN
Preserving Lao culture through dance, music, pageant and fashion for future generations
Serving Communities
Our Mission
Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN’s mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate Lao heritage through traditional dance, music, pageant and fashion. We strive to inspire pride in Lao identity, promote cultural exchange, and create opportunities for community members to engage in meaningful cultural arts experiences. By honoring tradition while embracing creativity, we work to ensure Lao culture thrives across generations and enriches Minnesota’s diverse communities.
Event 1
Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN hosts its Annual New Year Celebration during the first week of May each year, honoring the rich traditions, music, and heritage of the Lao community. This vibrant cultural event brings together families, performers, and community members to celebrate through traditional Lao dance, fashion, and music. Guests enjoy live performances, colorful attire, and the joyful spirit of the Lao New Year. The 13th Annual Lao New Year Celebration will take place on May 2, 2026, continuing the tradition of preserving and sharing Lao culture with pride, joy, and unity.
Event 2
Boun Pra Vade Celebration
Boun PraVade. held every June, is a cherished cultural event that celebrates the traditional Lao story of Prince Vessantara (Sundon) through storytelling, music, and performance. Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN leads the Phra Vate Sundon story play, showcasing the beauty of Lao art, dance, and costume. This annual celebration brings the community together to honor Lao heritage, creativity, and cultural pride.
Event 3
Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN hosts music events that showcase talented Lao and local artists through live performances of traditional and contemporary LP songs. These events celebrate Lao culture, creativity, and community pride while bringing people together through the universal language of music.
Welcome
Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Lao culture through traditional dance, music, fashion, and community events. Founded in 2018, our mission is to inspire pride in Lao identity, foster cultural exchange, and create meaningful opportunities for the community to connect with their heritage.
We bring Lao culture to life through performances, workshops, the Miss NangSangkhan Pageant, and Lao New Year celebrations across Minnesota and beyond. By blending tradition with creativity, we ensure Lao arts remain vibrant, engaging, and accessible for future generations.WelcomeLao Culture Dance Fashion MN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Lao culture through traditional dance, music, fashion, and community events. Founded in 2018, our mission is to inspire pride in Lao identity, foster cultural exchange, and create meaningful opportunities for the community to connect with their heritage.We bring Lao culture to life through performances, workshops, the Miss NangSangkhan Pageant, and Lao New Year celebrations across Minnesota and beyond. By blending tradition with creativity, we ensure Lao arts remain vibrant, engaging, and accessible for future generations.
Our Impact
- Engaged hundreds of Lao and community members through cultural programs.
- Partnered with Hmong and multicultural organizations to strengthen cultural exchange.
- Performed at major events including heritage festivals, Lao New Year celebrations, refugee programs, and community showcases.
- Inspired a new generation of youth to embrace their Lao heritage.
Our Goals
Achieve Growth – Expand partnerships and work toward a future Lao cultural arts center in Minnesota.
Preserve and Inspire – Keep Lao culture alive through traditional arts.
Engage and Empower – Provide inclusive programs that build pride and confidence.
Our Work
What We D0
Traditional Lao Dance
Our dancers perform classical and folk Lao dances that showcase the beauty, grace, and spirit of Lao culture. Performances are featured at festivals, schools, and community celebrations, inspiring pride and connection.
Fashion & Cultural Expression
Through the Miss NangSangkhan Pageant and our cultural fashion shows, we highlight the elegance of Lao textiles and modern Lao-inspired designs. These events promote confidence, creativity, and cultural pride.
Music & Storytelling
We integrate traditional Lao music and modern Lao-American songs into performances, often paired with bilingual storytelling. This unique approach helps audiences of all ages connect with Lao heritage in powerful and memorable ways.
Community Events & Education
From cultural appreciation workshops to community gatherings, we create spaces for learning, celebration, and cultural pride.
Miss NangSangkhan Pageant
Our annual Miss NangSangkhan Pageant is a signature event that celebrates Lao beauty, talent, cultural knowledge, and community leadership. Contestants showcase Lao fashion, perform cultural arts, and represent the values of the Lao New Year. This event has become a highlight of the Lao community calendar in Minnesota.
Lao New Year Celebrations
Each spring, we proudly organize and promote Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) events. These celebrations feature traditional dance, live music, cultural rituals, and festive gatherings that bring the Lao community together while sharing our traditions with wider audiences.
Fashion Team
Our fashion shows are a vibrant celebration of Lao heritage, creativity, and identity. We highlight the elegance and craftsmanship of traditional Lao textiles, including intricate sinh (skirts), ceremonial outfits, and regional attire.
Each participant not only models clothing but also represents the stories, values, and history woven into every piece. The fashion show promotes cultural pride, confidence, and artistic expression, giving community members an opportunity to celebrate Lao artistry while connecting with their roots.
These events are often combined with dance and music performances, creating a rich, immersive cultural experience for audiences. The fashion show also serves as a platform to educate younger generations about Lao traditions, inspire creativity, and foster intergenerational cultural exchange.
By showcasing traditional and contemporary Lao fashion, we honor our past, celebrate our present, and inspire the next generation to embrace and share their cultural identity.
Dance
Our Dances
Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN preserves heritage through meaningful traditional dances:
- Kinnaly Dance – A graceful story of the celestial kinnari, symbolizing purity and harmony.
- Lam Mahaxay Dance – A joyful folk dance celebrating unity and everyday Lao village life.
- Lam Siphandon Dance – Inspired by the 4,000 Islands, honoring nature, the Mekong River, and ancestral life.
- Wishing Dance – A symbolic dance of blessings, gratitude, and hope for peace and prosperity.
Each dance shares history, values, and pride in Lao identity.
Music
Music is at the heart of Lao Culture Dance Fashion MN, helping us preserve heritage and connect communities. We integrate traditional Lao music and modern Lao-American compositions into our programs, creating performances that resonate with audiences of all ages.
Our music includes:
- Live performances during festivals, community events, and Lao New Year celebrations.
- Collaborations with Lao and Hmong musicians, singers, and bands to celebrate Southeast Asian cultural diversity.
- Bilingual storytelling through song, connecting younger generations to traditional melodies and cultural narratives.
- Music workshops and training, providing hands-on learning opportunities for youth and community members.
Through music, we share history, stories, and values while inspiring pride and creativity. Each performance is a way to honor Lao traditions, engage the community, and ensure that cultural heritage continues to thrive for future generations.
Pageant Miss NangSangKhan
Miss NangSangkhan Pageant
The Miss NangSangkhan Pageant is a signature Lao cultural event held only during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao). Rooted in tradition, the pageant is inspired by the story of the legendary King Sang Khan, who celebrated beauty, grace, and virtue among his people. Contestants honor this heritage by showcasing traditional Lao attire, performing cultural arts, and demonstrating knowledge of Lao history and customs.
The pageant promotes confidence, creativity, and cultural understanding, offering young Lao women a platform to become role models within their community. Combined with dance and music performances, the event celebrates Lao identity, pride, and intergenerational connection, inspiring participants and audiences to embrace and share Lao culture.
Start Your Journey
Get Involved
Support our mission by attending events, volunteering, or donating. Your involvement helps us preserve Lao heritage and empower the next generation.
👉 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to watch performances, read stories, and share Lao culture with your community.