UNITED KHMER STUDENTS AT UCLA PRESENT OUR 23rd ANNUAL CULTURE NIGHT
ស�្លងមាស
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents............................................................................
1
Directors’ Message.........................................................................
2
Presidents’ Message.......................................................................
3
Assistant Director ’s Message .........................................................
4
Producer ’s Message........................................................................
5
Letter of Support ...........................................................................
6
About The Story..............................................................................
7
Tonight ’s Program...........................................................................
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Drama Cast.....................................................................................
9-12
All Cast Photo.................................................................................
13
Finance Committee.........................................................................
14
Graphics Committee.......................................................................
15
Script Committee............................................................................
16
Visuals Committee..........................................................................
17
Acoustic Committee........................................................................
18
Classical-Robam Phlet.....................................................................
19
Traditional- Robam Kuos Angrae.....................................................
20
Tribal- Robam Khmer Ler................................................................
21
Cambodian Martial Arts- Bokator....................................................
22
UKS Modern....................................................................................
23
UKS Staff.........................................................................................
24
KORE Staff......................................................................................
25
Graduating Seniors.........................................................................
26-28
Artists.............................................................................................
29-30
Sponsors.........................................................................................
31-33
Funding Sources.............................................................................
33
Special Thanks................................................................................
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Directors’ Message To Our Beloved Family, Friends, and Honored Guests, We are so pleased to welcome you to our 23rd annual Culture Night, The Golden Voice. It is a tremendous honor to be able to showcase this production tonight. We had our first taste of UKS CN in our freshman year, hesitantly taking upon minor roles and timidly agreeing to be part of dance performances. Even despite our stage fright and uncertainty being a part of a new space, it was clear to us how rewarding the experience was, being able to immerse ourselves in our culture and building the bonds akin to that of a family along the way. It was only a natural progression that we became Assistant Directors the next year, to eventually taking upon the position of Director this present year. Although putting ourselves into this role has presented us with numerous challenges and has tested our ability to grapple with uncertainty, it is these difficulties that have allowed us to learn and truly grow as passionate student leaders and bold ambassadors of our heritage and culture. The months and months leading up to this very night, although composed of tireless efforts to bring our vision for “The Golden Voice” to life, hold treasured moments shared between our cast and crew that show the journey of how our vision, initially shared by two, by four, became shared by more than fifty. It is through a collective celebration of our culture and history that we, together as a cast and individually as ambitious student leaders, have interwoven pieces of ourselves into this production. This show is more than an exhibition of tradition and art; it is a representation of the adversity and oppression we have faced, it is a wealth of stories and identities showcasing our resilience. In this production, we expose the most vulnerable parts of ourselves and uncover how past impacts present, in the hopes that we as a community are able to draw strength from our mutual struggles and unite for a better future. Throughout the year, we have watched proudly as our hardworking cast and crew have grown and developed as student leaders working towards this production. We would like to thank you all and want to recognize that, through the long nights of fine-tuning and the hours upon hours spent practicing, your unwavering dedication towards the show and our community were vital in ensuring that “The Golden Voice” could make the stage. To Buna and Mey, our Assistant Director and Producer, we thank you for your abundant efforts in your roles, and for allowing us to be part of your growth. We are so privileged and proud to have served as your directors this past year. Furthermore, we would like to extend our utmost gratitude to our generous sponsors, who without their funding and support, this show would have been impossible to bring to life. And to all of you, our lovely audience, we cannot express how much your continued support means to us. Tonight, we come together as a community; one family. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for being a part of our story.
Madelyn San & Michelle Thach Madelyn San & Michelle Thach UKS Culture Night Co-Directors 2019-2020
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Presidents’ Message To our Wonderful Family, Friends, and Community, Welcome to the United Khmer Students’ 23rd Annual Culture Night! It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to our show and thank you for attending tonight ’s event. Since 1997, UKS has used Culture Night as an outlet to share our story. When people think of Cambodia, they often think of a history ravaged by violence and genocide, overlooking the rich culture that existed just before it. While it is crucial to initiate dialogue about the genocide, we think it is just as important to go beyond that history; to appreciate Cambodia as what it was before it was taken away from our loved ones and for what it has yet to become. Only once we fully acknowledge our roots can we extend the conversation to how traces of our past still manifest today, thus shaping the Khmer-American experience. We love Culture Night because not only is it a way for us to share our story and piece together the narratives told by our loved ones, it also gives us the opportunity to share it with you. We hope that through tonight ’s production, whether or not you identify as Khmer, we can together navigate what it means to be Khmer. From writing the script and coordinating dances to creating props and securing funding, this entire production is student-run. Every single person in this cast and crew has put so much effort and heart into this production. Without the passion, determination, and sacrifice people have made, none of what we are about to showcase tonight would have been possible. We may be a small organization of less than 50, but we have the determination and drive of many more. As graduating seniors this year, we are proud to call tonight ’s Culture Night our last. We will always cherish the memories and relationships we have made in working towards this production and cannot wait to create more tonight. To Madelyn and Michelle, we would like to commend your patience, hard work, and passion in creating this production. We have watched the both of you endure late nights and countless hours dedicated to developing and refining this year ’s Culture Night, and we cannot thank you enough for giving UKS the outlet to express our love and appreciation for Khmer culture. To everyone in the audience tonight, thank you for your continuous support and taking the time to embark on this experience together. We hope you enjoy the show!
Karen Choup & Johnson Thai Karen Choup & Johnson Thai UKS CO-Presidents 2019-2020
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Assistant Director’s Message To Our Beloved Guests, Family, and Friends, I am honored to welcome you to our 23rd annual Culture Night! It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of this production as the assistant director this year. Before coming to UCLA, I never took part in anything Khmer related besides a little bit of cultural activities when I was younger. I neglected my culture throughout high school despite it surrounding my life every single day. As a freshman and first time participant of Culture Night last year, I felt an indescribable feeling that made me come back this year, and now I have the utmost pride in my culture and identity as a Cambodian American. Through UKS CN, I was able to learn more about the culture that I neglected, and I was able to find common ground with my family and community members. UKS CN has helped me learn more about the issues that our community faces, the untold stories, and most importantly, it has connected me to my parents for which I’m forever grateful. Every cultural moment with UKS CN is an ode to our refugee parents and our way of continuing the culture that they had to leave behind. The months and months of our practices will finally pay off when we are able to show our community that we will continue to spread and pass on this culture to the next generation. Although I had an idea of what I would be doing in a leadership role of this production, I did at times feel overwhelmed and I would like to thank Michelle, Madelyn, Mey, and all of UKS for keeping me grounded throughout it all. I would also like to thank every single cast member that took the time to be a part of this production. Whether you are of Cambodian descent or not, one of the goals of these cultural nights is to build community through the journey and I will forever cherish the relationships we built along the way. Tonight, our journey together may feel like it has come to an end, but know that the bonds and memories we made are forever lasting. I cannot wait to see all of your hard work pay off on stage tonight!
Buna Poeng Buna Poeng UKS Culture Night Assistant Director 2019-2020
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Producer’s Message Dearest friends, family, and community members, It is with my greatest pleasure that I welcome you to our 23rd Annual Culture Night show. We are ecstatic and honored to present to you this year ’s production: “The Golden Voice”. One of my favorite quotes is from FilipinoAmerican, José Rizal, when he said, “No history, no self. Know history, know self.” Prior to encountering the UKS space, there was an absence of acknowledgement and ties to my cultural identity as a Chinese-Cambodian American. My cultural mannerisms, values, and identity lived within the walls of my household and family, but never traveled beyond. It wasn’t until I joined UKS that I found relevance of my culture and identity in America and especially in my own sense of self. UKS has given me the opportunity to speak my native tongue, to learn about the marginalization that my community faces, to dismantle homogenized stereotypes between Southeast Asians and other Asian communities, and ultimately to pay homage to my culture. Within a newfound group of admirable individuals turned friends, I was able to find myself. Transitioning from singing the national anthem for last year ’s culture night to integrative behind the scenes work for this year ’s show has been such a humbling experience. This role has revealed to me the long-lasting impact of cultivating a space where student performers can immerse themselves into Khmer roots, especially in the midst of American curriculums and history textbooks that neglected our history. Despite countless hours of discussing and planning logistics for the show, being able to witness the co-directors’ vision unfold through the cast and crew makes all of our committee's work worthwhile. The foundation built on the heart and passion of every individual who is part of this production serves as the motivating force behind this year ’s culture night, and I am honored and truly blessed to be a part of this community. I would like to recognize all of the sponsors, friends, and community members who have supported us in this production. Additionally, my deepest gratitude goes out to my codirectors, Michelle and Madelyn, and assistant director, Buna who stood alongside me through this journey, and allowed me to grow these past couple of months. Lastly, to my brother, I dedicate this production to you and more.
Mey Sok Mey Sok UKS Culture Night Producer 2019-2020
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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 822 KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION/ LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 Telephone (213) 974-4444 / FAX (213) 229-3676
JANICE HAHN Supervisor, Fourth District
April 18, 2020
Dear Friends, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 23rd Annual Culture Night, hosted by United Khmer Students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). For over two decades United Khmer Students at UCLA have continued to promote cultural traditions and educational consciousness. These scholars have empowered Khmer students to civic engagement by providing leadership opportunities for community involvement. I celebrate with United Khmer Students at UCLA for their outstanding work raising awareness and sharing the history of Cambodia. Thank you for continuing to add value to our County’s diverse culture.
Sincerely,
JANICE HAHN Chair of the Board of Supervisors Supervisor, Fourth District County of Los Angeles
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About the Story For our 23rd rendition of UKS CN, we aimed to elevate the creative boundaries of the show to new heights. This year’s production, titled “The Golden Voice” is a musical set in 1960s Phnom Penh, where Westernized sound melded seamlessly with traditional Cambodian melodies to produce a roaring fusion of classical Cambodian rock n’ roll. This year’s musical play is a biopic following the story of the famous Cambodian classic rock singer, Ros Sereysothea, along with other prominent artists and icons of the era. The play details our heroine’s rise to fame from a poor farm girl to the apex of her singing career, when she is crowned “Queen with the Golden Voice” by the King of Cambodia. Furthermore, the play demonstrates a nuanced, ambivalent portrayal of Sothea’s journey towards stardom by also depicting sources of conflict, such as her own crippling self-doubt, domestic abuse, and perhaps most significantly, the rise of a rebel group threatening the very foundations of Cambodian society, known as the Khmer Rouge. The production serves to honor the fleeting memory of the iconic voices defining the unique fusion and sound that was Cambodian classical rock before its bitter suppression in the face of regime shift. Original songs and modern reimaginings of the music of Ros Sereysothea, Sin Sisamuth, and Pen Ran will be highlighted during the show to encapsulate the heart and soul of this psychedelic, golden era before its demise. In celebration of traditional Cambodian culture, other performances include dances such as a traditional bamboo dance (Robam Kuos Angrae), a tribal dance from the indigenous peoples Mondulkiri (Robam Khmer Ler), a classical dance (Robam Phlet), as well as other performance components demonstrating various aspects of Khmer art and expression. Although the legacy of the Khmer Rouge will have far-reaching effects on our community for years to come, it is important to open a dialogue on these historical events so that we may initiate community discussion of these topics and the eventual healing from these issues. It is through this production, illuminating this influential era of artistry during the 1960s as well as other aspects of cultural artistic expression, that we revive the traditions of our people and bring them back into the lives of presentday Cambodian Americans. This defiant act of celebration in spite of past adversity empowers us to recognize the true perseverance of our Khmer community.
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Tonight’s Program Khmer Anthem
�រពទង់ជាតិ នគររាជ
Welcoming Remarks
សា�គមន៍មកកាន់កម្មវ�ធី ស�្តងសិល�ៈ
Staff Video
វ��អូសា�គមន៍ពី និស�ិតសមាជិក
ACT I - Rise to Fame
ឆាកទី ១ - ��ះ�កាន់ �រ����ះល�ល�ីញ
Classical Dance
ការសំ�ង របាំបុរាណ
1.1 - Yey and I
១.១ �កយាយ និង ខ្ញ�ំ
1.2 - Boiled Snails
១.២ ខ�ង��រ
1.3 - Discovery
១.៣ របកគំ�ីញ
Traditional Dance
ការសំ�ង របាំ��ណីជាតិ
1.4 - The Capital
១.៤ រាជធានី
1.5 - Meeting the King
១.៥ ��លបាន� ជួបទតស�្តច�ះអង្គមា�ស់
1.6 - Return to Battambang
១.៦ ការវ�ល�លប់មកកាន់ �ត្តបាត់ដំបង
1.7 - Becoming the Golden Voice
១.៧ ជាអ្នកចំ�ៀង ស�្លងមាស
Modern Dance
ការសំ�ង របាំសម័យទំ�ីប
Intermission
សំរាក វគ្គឆាកទី ១
Intermission Video
វ��អូ បនា�ប់ពី វគ្គសំរាក
ACT II - And Still, I Sing
ឆាកទី ២ - ��ល�ះ ខ្ញ�ំ��បន្ត�ៀង
2.1 - What Happened Next?
២.១ �ីនឹងមាន�ឿងអ្វី �ីត�ីងបនា�ប់�ៀត�ះ?
2.2 - The Warning
២.២ បំរាម
Bokator
ការសំ�ង របាំល��ក្ក�
2.3 - Last Recording Together
២.៣ ការថតស�្លងរួមគា� ជា�ីកចុង�យ
2.4 - Silenced
២.៤ សា�ត់�្ង�មឈឹង
2.5 - Caged Birds
២.៥ ហាក់ដូចជា បក�ីជាប់�ុង
Tribal Dance
ការសំ�ង របាំ�្មរ�ី
2.6 - Into The Night
២.៦ ក្ន�ងរា�ីយប់�ះ
2.7 - Reflection
២.៧ ការស�្ចឹងគិតឆ្ល�ះប��ំង មកវ�ញ
Curtain Call
ជួបជាមួយ និស�ិតអ្នកចូលរួមស�្តង និង �ៀបចំកម្មវ�ធីទាំងអស់គា�
Closing Remarks
�ចក្តី�រព�្លងអំណរគុណ ប�្ចប់�កម្មវ�ធី
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Drama
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Kimberly Wong Ros SereysOTHEA
Andrew tum Sin sisamouth
Kaitlyn pham PAN RON
JOHNSON THAI ROS SEREY
Britney pheng Ros sabouet
KAREN CHOUP yey
Cast
Jason chhay Im song seum
Kongkear sross yey’s granddaughter
Alexander chhor King sihanouk
Brandon soun Sos mat
ALEXANDER PHU KHMER REPUBLIC OFFICER KHMER ROUGE OFFICER
Billy ung Khmer republic soldier 1 Khmer rouge soldier 1
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Drama
HANNAH CHUM KHMER REPUBLIC SOLDIER 2 KHMER ROUGE SOLDIER 2
NINA CORBETT Studio employee
bUNA POENG fanatic/vendor 2
MEY SOK VENDOR 1
Quynh tran customer 1
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Cast
JENNIFER TANG CUSTOMER 2
Grace yang Woman/mother
Irene quach PASSERBY/CONTEST MC TV NARRATOR
Mary angelique babiano PRISONER 1
AUDREY CHAN PRISONER 2
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All Cast
United Khmer Students 23rd Annual Culture Night
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Alexander Chhor Alexander Phu Andrew Nguyen Andrew Tum Angela Arunarsirakul Anthony Le Ashley Ngor Audrey Chan Billy Ung Braden Lem Brandon Soun
Christine Doan Dira Kapoor Elizabeth Cheung Eva Stoneburner Hannah Chum Irene Quach Jaasi Phelps-Nyakairu Jade Suwanwanitch Jason Chhay Jennifer Tang Johnson Thai
Brenda Soun
Kaia Sherry
Britney Pheng Buna Poeng
Kaitlyn Pham Karen Choup
Karmen Pang Kelly Chen Khang Tran Kimberly Wong Kongkear Sross Korakot Saruncharti Kristi Mai Kristida Chhour Lei Wena Herme Lianna Kishi Madelyn San Mary Angelique Babiano Megan Phan Mey Sok
Michelle Lee Michelle Thach Molika Soben Nika To Nina Corbett Quynh Tran Roselinda Kuoch Shane Figueroa Swan Ye Htut Sydmon Nguyen Sydney Siphavong Sylvie Oang Vivian Do
Script Committee
Main Writers: Michelle Thach and Madelyn San Committee (Left to Right and Back to Front): Johnson Thai, Buna Poeng, Mey Sok, Michelle Thach, Madelyn San The Script Committee is tasked with going through each page of the rough draft of the script as written by the directors. From checking for grammatical or logical errors, to ensuring historical accuracy, this committee is dedicated to taking the directors’ vision and improving upon that foundation to create an even greater narrative. The year ’s script committee strived to honor the fleeting memory of the iconic voices defining the unique fusion and sound that was Cambodian classical rock before its bitter suppression in the face of regime shift. Original songs and modern reimaginings of the music of Ros Sereysothea, Sin Sisamuth, and Pan Ron were written into the show to encapsulate the heart and soul of this psychedelic, golden era before its demise. Although the legacy of the Khmer Rouge will have farreaching effects on our community for years to come, it is important to open a dialogue on these historical events so that we may initiate community discussion of these topics and the eventual healing from these issues. By illuminating this influential era of artistry during the 1960s in our script, we hope to commemorate the historical resilience of not just Cambodian artistic traditions, but of Cambodians themselves.
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Finance Committee
Committee (Left to Right and Back to Front): Andrew Tum, Buna Poeng, Mey Sok, Michelle Thach, Madelyn San The Finance Committee is responsible for acquiring funding for this year ’s Culture Night production. We do this through acquiring grants from different organizations, fundraisers, and doing things such as reaching out to those from the Cambodian community to sponsor our show. These are just some of the tasks we have done in order to provide adequate funding to make this production a success. From the costumes you see tonight to the venue that you are in at the moment, these are the products of the hard work that our finance committee did by taking advantage of the vast amount of funding resources. The work done by this group serves both the club and the committee well: understanding of the budgeting and fundraising process that will be useful for future productions, learning budgeting skills found in aspects of life such as work, and planning for future events of any kind. Special shoutout to Andrew Tum for his abundant contributions into ensuring this committee would run smoothly!
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Graphics Committee
Coordinators: Brandon Soun and Jennifer Tang Committee (Left to Right and Back to Front): Shane Figueroa, Michelle Thach, Billy Ung, Mey Sok, Madelyn San, Eva Stoneburner, Brandon Soun, Jennifer Tang Building off the foundation of last year ’s graphics committee, we wanted to take our promotion of the show to the next level. Our committee is responsible for components such as the promotional videos and banners that you see on social media, the t-shirts that are worn by our cast, and the program booklet that you are reading right now. This year, we have introduced a short documentary film on the importance of Cambodian culture night and the history behind various Cambodian dances, allowing our audience to not only gain more insight on our culture, but also see what goes on behind-the-scenes to put our production together. By portraying the message of our culture night through painting, film, and other media, we are able to showcase the more artistic side of our production.
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Visuals Committee
Coordinators: Britney Pheng and Hannah Chum (Props), Molika Soben and Kimberly Wong (Costumes) Committee (Left to Right and Back to Front): Braden Lem, Elizabeth Cheung, Buna Poeng, Nina Corbett, Karen Choup, Britney Pheng, Molika Soben, Kimberly Wong, Hannah Chum Costume and props are vital to our production. The quality of our visual elements impact not only our actors and dancers, but the audience’s overall viewing experience through transforming words on a script into real life. The costume team combined their creative thoughts and ideas to design amazing retro themed clothing to fit the 1960’s and 1970’s setting of this year's story. We created outfits that seamlessly fall into the time period and helped sculpt the personality of each character in the play. We are also responsible for transforming our cast from head to toe into their characters through quick and smooth costume changes. For this production, the focus was on curating outfits to recreate some of Ros Sereysothea’s most stunning looks. The props team, just like the costume team, was a vital component for transforming the stage into a whole new world for our actors and dancers. We incorporated sensory details and scenery to bring our show together and have worked countless hours towards constructing and curating all of the props seen on stage that further enhances the audience’s viewing experience. Together for the first time, the costumes and props team came together to create an all around spectacular visual experience for the audience to enjoy. Overall, our goal was to accurately portray Cambodian people and culture by highlighting the history and significance of the Cambodian American narrative.
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Acoustic Committee
Coordinator: Kaia Sherry Committee (Left to Right): Braden Lem, Kaitlyn Pham, Kimberly Wong, Jason Chhay, Kaia Sherry (not pictured) Music is a uniting theme in this year ’s production, allowing the play’s protagonists to come to terms with their identities. The character arcs are closely tied to each character ’s connection with the music they interact with, which in turn is reflective of the social and cultural milieu of their time. As a committee, UKS Acoustic will perform an acoustic version of “Uku” by the Long Beach-based band Dengue Fever, which thematically touches upon the unspeakable sense of loss faced by those who survived the Khmer Rouge. This acoustic performance will conclude the show and reflect upon the events of the play, including verses sang in both Khmer and English. The Khmer lyrics, originally written by Dengue Fever, offer a redolent portrait of loss and family, while the English lyrics looks towards a golden voice in the distance as a symbol of hope. This will be the third year that UKS Acoustic is featured in Culture Night and we hope you will enjoy our performance!
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Classical-“Robam Phlet “(របាំផ្លិត)
Coordinators: Andrew Tum and Ashley Ngor Dancers (Left to Right and Back to Front): Buna Poeng, Johnson Thai, Khang Tran, Sydney Siphavong, Sylvie Oang, Christine Doan, Hannah Chum, Kristi Mai, Irene Quach, Jennifer Tang, Mey Sok, Roselinda Kuoch, Kimberly Wong, Audrey Chan, Andrew Tum, Ashley Ngor Khmer Classical Dance, also known as the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, is the more dominant genre of dance in Cambodia, which traced as far back as the 7th century Angkor period. Previously known as “Robam Preah Reach Trop,” dances of royal wealth, it reflects the elite status of Khmer arts as the dance is traditionally performed only in the royal courts. Dancers are often referred to as apsara, messengers of the gods and divinities. During the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, the art was almost lost. However, having the ability to practice this art today represents the resilience of previous Khmer dancers and the necessary sacrifices behind this revival. “Robam Phlet ” (Fan dance) is usually performed at ceremonies and meant to bring prosperity, blessings, and good luck!
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Traditional-”Robam Kuos Angrae” (របាំ �ះអ�)
Coordinators: Brandon Soun and Audrey Chan Dancers (Left to Right and Back to Front): Andrew Tum, Johnson Thai, Khang Tran, Shane Figueroa, Kristida Chhour, Angela Arunarsirakul, Sydney Siphavong, Irene Quach, Elizabeth Cheung, Mey Sok, Lei Wena Herme, Buna Poeng, Brandon Soun, Audrey Chan Robam Kuos Angrae, also called Robam Kom Araek, is the Cambodian adaptation of the Filipino tinikling dance. It is said that this dance was brought to Cambodia through King Norodom after having traveled the Philippines, while other sources state that the dance may have originated from the Kuy people, an ethnic minority bordering Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. There are various adaptations of the dance throughout different Southeast Asian countries. This dance is known in the Philippines as being an imitation of the tikling bird as it walks between grass stems or dodges bamboo traps that farmers set down. The dance is meant to imitate the grace and skill the bird exemplifies as it moves through these obstacles. Another legend states that this dance was also used as a form of punishment towards unproductive natives, where to avoid being hurt they would have to fiercely avoid getting their ankles crushed by leaping through them. Traditional dances in Cambodia represent the folk dance genre and are meant to showcase differing social customs within Cambodia’s rich culture. These dances are meant to be fun and light-hearted, with its intended purpose being entertainment for the masses.
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Tribal-”Robam Khmer Ler” (របាំ �្មរ�ី)
Coordinators: Roselinda Kuoch and Dira Kapoor Dancers (Left to Right): Elizabeth Cheung, Buna Poeng, Roselinda Kuoch, Dira Kapoor, Audrey Chan, Nina Corbett Directly translated, Robam Khmer Ler means “dance of the upland Khmer.” The Khmer Ler are the indigenous ethnic groups that reside in the Northeastern highlands of Cambodia. This year ’s Robam Khmer Ler performance draws inspiration from the Mondulkiri tribe. The purpose of folk dance is to emphasize the various cultural traditions and ethnic groups of Cambodia. Mondulkiri, which literally translates to “Mountain of the Mandala,” features elements similar to last year ’s featured Ratnakiri dance. Despite having the largest land mass of any province, it is one of the most sparsely populated and least developed. As a result, the Eastern province’s natural beauty has been preserved throughout the years. The people have used the lush, forested mountains, rolling green hills, and waterfalls as sources of farming and fishing. Compared to other Khmer dance, tribal movements seem relatively simplistic. This speaks to the greater purpose of Khmer folk dance, which is to express the ways of life in a graceful manner as a form of entertainment. This kind of dance was used to entertain and represent the daily realities of life, with simple movements that anyone may easily pick up. Some folk dances are about love, folktales, or a portrayal of commonplace labor in their lives such as fishing and farm work. Fishing in particular is highlighted in our dance with the implementation of baskets.
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Cambodian Martial Arts-”Bokator” (ល��ក្ក�)
Coordinator: Jade Suwanwanitch Dancers (Left to Right): Sylvie Oang, Kristida Chhour, Jade Suwanwanitch, Madelyn San, Jaasi Phelps-Nyakairu Not Pictured: Korakot Saruncharti Bokator, or more formally, L'bokator, is a Khmer martial art that includes weapons techniques. One of the oldest existing fighting systems in Cambodia, oral tradition tells that bokator was the close quarter combat system used by the armies before Angkor 1,700 years ago. The term bokator translates as "pounding a lion" from the words bok meaning "to pound" and tor meaning "lion." Bokator uses a diverse array of elbow and knee strikes, shin kicks, submissions and ground fighting. The style is akin to other Southeast Asian martial arts such as Muay Thai, Lethwei, and pradal serey.
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Modern
Coordinators: Braden Lem, Karen Choup, Michelle Lee, Kelly Chen, Swan Ye Htut Dancers (Left to Right and Back to Front): Vivian Do, Anthony Le, Brandon Soun, Buna Poeng, Kristida Chhour, Karmen Pang, Megan Phan, Christine Doan, Madelyn San, Kristi Mai, Kimberly Wong, Molika Soben, Lianna Kishi, Braden Lem, Michelle Lee, Kelly Chen, Swan Ye Htut, Karen Choup Not Pictured: Sydmon Nguyen In recent years, Urban/Modern dance has grown into its own as separate from Hip Hop dance and taken important forms of representation and expression for ethnic communities. For many of us, Modern dance is a form of identity creation, helping us relate our Asian-American identities through culture nights like The Golden Voice. The Modern dance also differs from other types of dances in the show in that the performance is created on an individual basis from a variety of choreographers. Each piece is a choreographer ’s vision come to life and an expression of who they are as dancers and individuals. Modern dance is a form of art where choreographers act as the composers and weave their personal experiences and feelings into their choreography. We hope you enjoy our performance as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
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U K S Staff
United Khmer Students is a student-run organization dedicated to fostering a positive environment for Khmer students and Khmer culture at UCLA. The club serves to represent and be an active voice for the greater Cambodian community and to advocate for its relevant issues. Due to the lacking representation of Khmer people, UKS feels itself to be a necessary component within the UCLA community. UKS not only provides a social environment for Khmer and non-Khmer students alike but works towards creating a politically and culturally active space. The club is consistent with cultivating cultural education and traditions for its general membership as well as providing leadership opportunities for members to be involved within their communities. UKS is a resource for networking not only within the alumni and the UCLA community but also within the intercollegiate realm of Khmer student organizations. UKS is an active component to the efforts of the Khmer Student Coalition (KSC), a collective organization composed of various Cambodian organizations within the California universities and state universities system. UKS strives to provide a positive college experience for students through social, cultural, and political activities as well as being an advocate for Khmer community, culture and education.
Co-Presidents Karen Choup & Johnson Thai External Vice President Britney Pheng Social Relations Officer Brittany Ea Public Relations Officer Jennifer Tang Fiscal Officer Andrew Tum Interns Billy Ung, Lindsey Chheng, JOHN CHEA, ELIZABETH CHeung KORE Director Molika Soben KORE COORDINATORS Audrey Chan, Sydney Siphavong, KRISTIdA Chhour CULTURE NIGHT DIRECTORS Madelyn SAN & Michelle THACH CULTURE NIGHT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Buna poeng Culture night producer Mey sok
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K OR E Staff Khmer Outreach, Retention, and Education
Khmer Outreach, Retention, & Education (KORE) was started by the United Khmer Students of UCLA in 2003 to address the low rates of Khmer youth graduating from high school and Khmer people pursuing higher education. KORE’s Mentorship Program promotes the importance of higher education and assists Long Beach youth in developing skills that enable them to achieve their full potential. During this yearlong program, UKS volunteers are able to work with Long Beach high school students from Poly, Wilson, Millikan, Cabrillo, Jordan, and Lakewood to achieve their academic and personal goals. KORE provides tutoring sessions and workshops at the local Long Beach Mark Twain Library as well as field trips that give students the opportunity to explore various fields of study and career paths. College Insight Day and College Tour are annual events in which high school students are bused over to the UCLA campus to participate in campus tours, student panels, seminars with guest speakers, and college preparation workshops led by UKS.
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Graduating Seniors
Alex Phu
When all else fails, smile and fake it til you make it.
Braden Lem
I am simultaneity — the sun that shines brightest over the world, the moon that cradles the world in slumber.
Britney Pheng
Why do all good things stain your teeth?
Andrew Tum
Wooden and its 20min wait for a squat rack/deadlift platform will always hold a special place in my heart!
Brandon Soun
Bless that I can keep my UCLA email so I can have unlimited Google Drive storage.
Grace yang
I still can’t believe Johnson thinks water is spicy.
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Graduating
Irene Quach
And let the world spin madly on.
Judy Chhoeung
“No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” – Alfred North Whitehead
Khang Tran
I am… como se dice tired.
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Johnson Thai
I wouldn't be here today without my parents, brothers, family, and friends. Thank you!`
Karen Choup
Things that you should spread: nutella, your wings, love.
Lei Wena Herme
Thank you UKS for all the love and culture and to the Zoom Class of 2020 for staying strong!
Seniors
Madelyn San
Remember that bad times are just times that are bad.
Shane Figueroa
Congrats to the Class of 2020 and thank you to UKSCN for the SEA support and solidarity!
Molika Soben
I'm great at making it look like I have everything together.
Sydmon Nguyen
I woke up feeling dangerous.
CONGRATULATIONS
UKS
Sydney siphavong
CLASS OF 2020
Cheers to the Class of 2020 and to never having to use duo factor authorization again!
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Artists Edgar Herrera Booklet Designer
I would like to thank the United Khmer Students at UCLA for allowing me to work with them this year. Please check out my clothing brand below and follow me for all your design needs. My Personal handles: Instagram: _ehdesigns Website: https://www.ehdesigns.bigcartel.com
Brandon Soun Videographer
I thank UKS for giving me a platform to showcase my video work. Since the early stges of planning this year’s culture night, I knew I wanted to intergrate my film background and develop a short documentary surrounding this year’s production. My Personal handles: Instagram: brandonsounfilm Website: https://www.brandonsoun.com Youtube: Brandon Soun
Andrew Nguyen
CN Photoshoot Photographer Andrew is a 4th year undergraduate studying data science in the healthcare field. In his free time, he does portrait photography in the Asian American and dance communities. My Personal handles: Instagram: nguyen.tography Website: https://www.andrewnguyen.co
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Artists Elizabeth Reichner Cover Artist
As a 2nd year double major in Art and Psychology, my goals include creating an accessible space to teach art lessons and provide art therapy sessions. Check my club called HART on the following platforms: Instagram: UCLAHart | Facebook: UCLAHart My Personal handles: Instagram: Lizanneart Website: https://www.lizreichnerart.com
Super Potion Brand T-Shirt Designer
Business handles: Instagram: @superpotionbrand Website: https://superpotion.us
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SP ONSOR S
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SP ONSOR S GOLD LEVEL
Star Bakery
1207 Gardenia Ave Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-2692
Hak Heang
2041 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562)434-0296
Donut Island 3401 Cherry Ave. A Long Beach, CA 90807 (562)427-1318
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SP ONSOR S SILVER LEVEL
Pho 881 881 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-5305
Funding Sources Funded by Campus Programs Committee of the Programs Activity Board
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Special Thanks Ralph Freud Playhouse Staff Student Organizations, Leadership & Engagement (SOLE): Juan Robles-Vega, SOLE Fiscal Advisor Melissa Veluz-Abraham, SOLE Advisor Asian Pacific Coalition and Associated Organizations Khmer Student Coalition: California State University, Fresno California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Ohio State University Oregon State University Portland State University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Irvine University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Washington Stanford University Khmer Alumni Association (KAA) Janice Hahn Khmer Bridal: Bong Kaylene
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