Wat Lao Buddhavong of Washington DC July 2007
I went to see one of my favorite bands Pong Lang Sa-On, I like them mainly because they have great voice and their music is somewhat comical, and sure enough, their concert was load of fun. This was their first time in the US and their show on Saturday was never shown anywhere before so they asked the audience not to video the concert but I saw some that’s still filming it anyway, so wouldn’t surprise me if it were in Youtube or something along that line.
It was quiet a long drive for us to get to Wat Lao Buddhavong of Washington DC, so we arrived on Friday afternoon and stayed at a nearby hotel. All my sisters were there so it’s like a family get together and my dad saw many of his old friends from Laos. Pong Lang Sa-On concert started at 3 pm and this isn’t my first time seeing a concert such as this, but first time for this band. I believe that they’re quiet famous in Thailand, but the temple was able to get a hold of them because it’s a special event to celebrate 70th birthday of Ven. Bounmy Kittidhammavanno. The concert was packed, we didn’t get any seating because it’s first come first serve basis but we brought our Sard (mat) with us to sit on, and it was big enough to share with other people as well, it brought back a lot of my childhood memory of concerts in Laos and Thailand.
There were other Lao singers there also but somehow most people didn’t hang around to see them, might be because it wasn’t much of a show, they mainly stood there and sang. Pong Lang Sa-On on the other hand had their own show, they were hilarious, the lead singer, Id was extremely nice, I took some pictures with him on Friday evening while they were practicing. Surprisingly during their concert on Saturday, the singers and dancers felt comfortable enough to come down to see the audience and I don’t think that they were able to do this in Thailand, and the audience were very polite, I think something to be proud of and they represented Laotian American audience well (not that I’m patting myself and others on the back here).
I also ran into Meiling Arounnarath from Laoroots Magazine, extremely nice lady and I purchased a t-shirt and April-May 2007 issue which I finished reading by Saturday night, a very interesting Lao magazine, but I do have to say that the contents are somewhat geared toward adult, the topics are a bit too serious for young people, but might not be for those that like to read, overall it represents the Lao community well. If you are interested in ordering Laoroots Magazine, you can do so at their web site.
I can’t get a slide show to work here, please view at my blog.
Better hurry up and send me your Meal submission as time is running out. 
[...] Monday, July 9th, 2007 in Lao Tradition I went to see one of my favorite bands Pong Lang Sa-On, I like them mainly because they have great voice and their music is somewhat comical, and sure enough, their concert was load of fun. This was their first time in the US and their show on Saturday was never shown anywhere before so they asked the audience not to video the concert but I saw some that’s still filming it anyway, so wouldn’t surprise me if it were in Youtube or something along that line. Please read more at Laoplanet.net. [...]
Oh I love them to death! I was looking forward to seeing them perform, but too bad I'm in Cali. =_=" I'm so upset, but good thing you've shared some pictures and informations about them. ^_^ Thanks! Did you get to take pics with them individualy?
Hi Miss Mimi, I did get to take photo with Id, the lead singer (he is a bit shorter than me) during their practice on Friday evening. They had 2 shows on Saturday and I got to see the first and part of the second. I missed the Sunday shows because we left the temple at 11 am and their show started at 3 pm. My GI Joe sister took a whole bunch of photos with them at the temple and the band helped out with the temple decorations, the head monk used them to do everything around the temple, and they didn’t seem to mind, one of the girls, I’m not sure if it’s Lulu or Lala even had to do the dishes. I’ll get those photos from her and post here because my GI Joe sister doesn’t mind her photos to be on the internet, come back in a couple of days to look for them. Thanks, I thought I was the only odd one that like them.
What a way to spend your 4th of July week. Wat Lao Buddhavong has the most well known celebration in the month of July.
I wish I could have been there to see the performance. Now I might have to be in Thailand to see them. I found out about the group like two years ago and posted a couple of their performance clips.
I like them too and saw their concert tour in Thailand on Thai TV. They seem so down to earth and to help with the chores around the temple without fussing is something else.
Can't wait to see the photos.
Hi Darly, I think this might be our new tradition way of celebrating the 4th of July since it’s half way between where we are and NYC, where my sisters live. My sisters had a great time and looking forward to next year. At first I thought about camping out at the temple because they have plenty of space but my sisters didn’t want to, it was hot but lots of fun, made me think of Boun Wat (festival at the temple) back in Laos/Thailand. The photos didn’t come out as good, I’m thinking about getting a better camera next year.
I saw the band on Thai TV and purchased their CD last year and sort of introduced them to my sisters. My GI Joe sister loves their music because the lyrics are so funny. She was at the temple several days before us helping out and after getting to take photos and meet the band she’s ready to come home. We were able to convince her to stay for the Saturday concert, I’ll write a post about their concert because it was so much fun.
You're so lucky to meet them. I love their music. It looks like their so down to earth. Can't wait to see the pictures of them. How did you find out they were coming to the states?
Hi Ashlie, it wasn’t them that we’re planning to see, it was who ever were coming to Wat Lao Buddhavong because that’s where we’re going for our July 4th, and we just got lucky. I did post about their concert; I hope you will enjoy reading. Pong Lang Sa On Concert at Wat Lao.
Does anyone have more info about a band from LA (Johnny Olson/Olsen?)
Hi Kin,
You can see his profile page at Laomusic.la and also his myspace page.