KHMERASPORA

A CAMBODIAN AMERICAN MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

Long Beach Symphony Presents KHMERASPORA

Written and directed by the world-renowned Cambodian American rapper, praCh, KHMERASPORA is a musical performance that tells the Cambodian American experience. Featuring three world premieres by internationally renowned Cambodian composer, Chinary Ung, this artistic collaboration unites musicians from the Long Beach Symphony conducted by Music Director, Eckart Preu, with Cambodian instrumentalists, dancers, and singers. A documentary film by award-winning filmmaker Caylee So memorializes the project and videographer Robert Chhaing-Carleton’s video will ensure that KHMERASPORA has a global presence and impact.

Artistic Partners

Eckart Preu, conductor

Musicians of the Long Beach Symphony

praCh Ly, writer, producer, director, performer

Chinary Ung, composer

Mea Lath, dance choreographer

Modern Apsara, Cambodian dancer ensemble

Ho Chan Ensemble, Cambodian instrumentalists

Chhom Nimol, singer

Chrysanthe Tan, violinist

Kalean Ung, actress

Caylee So, filmmaker

Robert Chhaing-Carleton, videographer

“praCh Ly, our lives are forever changed because of you. Thank YOU for your vision, your brilliance, and your passion for sharing this important story.” – Kelly Ruggirello, President of Long Beach Symphony

SONG 1: INTRO
Writer: praCh
Performer: praCh

“I got my country on my back, and I’m going to carry it till my shoulder black clack, rattle the spinal tap, till my knee cap collapse, pre-haps, the wait is too great for one soul to bear. But then again, my friends, I been doing it for years.”

“Cambodia, on April 17th, 1975, the rise of the Khmer Rouge terrorized the countryside. Innocent cries, endless shooting, they’re burning down the skies, it’s their revolution. A population of 7 millions, everyone heard it, within 3 days, entire cities are deserted.”

SONG 2: THE LETTER
Writer: praCh
Music Composer: Chinary Ung
Performer: Kalean Ung Breen
Music Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony

“I’m writing you this letter from the bottom of my heart, behind barbwires, where everyday is dark. I’m telling my truth about their lies, because at any moment, I might die.”

SONG 3: THE GREAT ESCAPE
Performer: praCh
Writer, Director: praCh
Beats: praCh, Ryan Delancey
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony

“Bomb burst the land to bits, and people disappeared like the never exist. Nobody asked questions, they’re afraid they’ll be next. So many rumors, nobody wants to say shit. War horror stories about massive grave pits. We love our land to death, but can’t stay no longer. Our only chance is to make it, across the border.”

SONG 3: FRAGILE HOPE
Performers: praCh, Chrysanthe Song Tan
Writer, Director: praCh
Beats: praCh, Silong Chhun
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony

“Thinking back to that night, to the actual site. A photographic memories, but in black and white. In a plane, it was a packed flight. A little frighting of the lighting, but no one complained, about the rain or the flashing lights. All was acting right. Parents and kids, holding each other tight. Whispering words to one another, saying; it’ll be alright.”

SONG 4: INVISIBLE WAR
Performer: praCh, Chrysanthe Song Tan
Writer, Director: praCh
Beats: praCh, Ryan Delancey
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony

“We’re living in uncertain times now, there’s no more unity. Plus the news of deportation is sending shockwave through the communities. I’ve done heard it all and seen it all man, ain’t nothing new to me, it’s a different world now, it’s not how it use to be.”

SONG 6: ART OF FACT
Performers: praCh, Kaitlyn Mady
Writer, Director: praCh
Beats: praCh, Shareef Frazier
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony
‘Cambodia Town’ sign handmade by praCh, Sot Kiep, Emme and Brooklyn.

“We’re gonna stick together, like cooked rice in a bowl. Open stores, markets, products, merchandise…sold! Business Bureau and Agencies, to Chamber of Commerce, Teachers, Doctors to Law, y’all, we’re even running for offices. And there’s hope in the kids, they’re learning faster than we did, traditional dances to classical music. Old method is still used, you get sick, you get coined. Cambodia Town Film Festival, everybody come and join. I am proud to say, I am a Khmer with pride, because I praCh, refuse to let our culture die!”

SONG 7: BIRDS OF ANKOR
Performers: Ho Chan Ensemble,
Mea Lath and Modern Apsara Company
With the Long Beach Symphony
Composer: Chinary Ung
Dance Choreographer: Mea Lath
Writer: praCh, Chinary Ung
Pinpeat: Ho Chan Ensemble

SONG 8: KOUN KHMER
Performer: Kalean Ung Breen
Composer: Chinary Ung
Writer: Chinary Ung, Kalean Ung Breen
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony

“And Koun Khmer, under the young mango tree, with shallow roots still searching, We will learn to trust that the water will come, and to hold the stories of our families, who fled their country and made a life for us. Our roots grow deeper with each year. Towards a river that encompasses ancient wisdom of our ancestors who carry us forward. Under the young mango tree with roots that grow. “

SONG 9: CHOMREANG RETREAY
Performer: Nimol Chhom
Original Song by Huoy Meas
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony

A love letter to Cambodia.

* The OxCart symbolize the farmers and countryside of Cambodia. The OxCart is from the 18th Century and once below to the King of Cambodia. It’s loan to me by Patrick and Mr. Horn.

* ‘Chomreang Retreay’ original song sung by Huoy Meas. It was inspired by “Tennessee Waltz’ by Billy Vaughn. 

SONG 10: ROM
Performers: Nimol Chhom, praCh
Writers: praCh, ImSrey Peouv, Imsitha Vong
Original song sung by Ros Serey Sothea,
Sam Sakhan, Chhoun Malay, Sieng Dy.
Beats: Silong Chhun
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With the Long Beach Symphony 

SONG 11: REFLEXTION
Performers: Ho Chan Ensemble,
praCh, Kaitlyn Mady, Thourn Heng
Writer, Director, Beats: praCh
Arranger: Paul Jacob Cartwright
Conductor: Eckart Preu
With The Long Beach Symphony

This Cyclo is from the movie ‘City of Ghost’ (2002). I once belong to Matt Dillon. It was old and rusty when I got it but refurbished for the show. I transport it from New York to Florida, then rented a van, put the cyclo inside and drove alone from Jacksonville, Florida to Long Beach, Califorina three week before the show. What’s also crazy is that the same week I dismembered the cyclo so we can sandblast and repaint, Kem Serevuth – known as Mr. Sok in City of Ghosts (the cyclo driver in the movie) passed away. So the Khmer flag on top of the cyclo is homage to him.

* The Cyclo represent the inner city people and workers of Cambodia. 

WE DID IT! 2 SOLD OUT SHOW. TWO STANDING OVATIONS! ALL IN ONE NIGHT! AWKUN! THANK YOU! SATOOK3x!

For the city, for the people, FOR THE CULTURE! peaCe!

COMMENTS about KHMERASPORA:

“praCh Ly, our lives are forever changed because of you. Thank YOU for your vision, your brilliance, and your passion for sharing this important story“. – Kelly Ruggirello, President of Long Beach Symphony

“This experience will be a highlight of my career and has enriched my life. Thank you for sharing your talent, energy and emotion with the community. You’re incredible, praCh. Your vision was genius!” – Issy Farris, LBS

“What an amazing event you put on for our community! Thank you for your talent and gift!” – United Cambodian Community

“fantastic performance with the Long Beach Symphony!  That spectacular KHMERASPORA made me very proud to be Khmer and I feel very blessed to have you in my life!!! My heartfelt congratulations for that excellent job!!! You made it!!’ – Chan Hopson

“praCh Ly– I am so happy I was able to make it to witness this epic event. Your madness is brilliance and your talents are a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing all of it with us! And thank you to everyone involved and to all artists that brought this special show to fruition.” – Bochan Huy

“FÉLICITATIONS on uniting the community in an unprecedented way…for being a trailblazing, melodic visionary…for crafting a powerful, intimate, gut wrenching tale…you brought together our Khmer community’s premiere talent to perform on a single stage. It was beautiful, haunting & brought me to tears. Decidedly, it was your MAGNUM OPUS. BRAVO, my friend, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You can rest now.”  – Olary Yim

“Amazing performance, praCh. It was so worth the trip from NY with my family. It was very emotional for a lot of people. Thanks for the inspiration and commitment in bringing the Cambodian Community together. My boys were very happy to see you performed and meet you in person. Congratulations, you deserved that standing ovation, not just for the performance, but for who you are!” – Soben Hak

“Congratulations  It was momentous, historic, with an all-inclusive audience, many of whom had never been to a Symphony Hall in their lives!” – Teri Kap Tan

“The KhmerAspora was an epic event and such a moving musical. If it didn’t have your Khmer Pride leveled up tenfold then you probably weren’t there. All I gotta say is PraCh Ly killed it (no killing fields) and Kaitlyn Mady on the flute too!  ” – Don R. Pin

“Your performance, compositions and message thru your words are truly a gift to the world. I understand how special this is for the Cambodian Community, and I hope many around this country and our world will have the continued opportunity to listen and learn from you. Congratulations on delivering a brilliant, important and spectacular message. Blessings to you praCh” – Julie Eppich