On April 30th Elgin Community College celebrated its last event of Asian Pacific Month with the play “A Lao New Year” performed by the Lao Youth Camp. They had many special guests to watch the play like, the Mayor of Elgin, Dr. Sam and even a letter from the President of the United States.

Coming in we saw a photo shoot stage as well as tables set up with information on the youth camp and the play as well as food.

The hosts of the show shared a few words and introduced the special guest with a warm welcome.

“A Lao New Year” was a performance explaining how they Celebrate Lao New year’s. This event was well supported by their community as well as other in the community. With almost 100 people in the audience in the Spartan Auditorium.

The play was filled with stories, dances, songs, rituals and laughter. During the rituals they let the audience get involved and taught the audience how they wrapped a string as a bracelet bringing luck for the year to come, which is called Baci.

“I enjoyed it very much,” said Danielle Henson. “I saw the dances last year. It was so nice to have a deeper understanding, the blessing string, the New Year and the prayer, I think that was really exciting.

At the end of the show they also announced their scholarship winner for the Lao youth camp. They shared the happiness with all the audience afterword’s greeting and thanking them for attending.