Phare, The Cambodian Circus<\/a>, touched down in Long Beach earlier this week and they\u2019ve been relatively surprised at their smooth transition. <\/p>\n\u201cWhen we first discovered Long Beach, we were amazed at how many Cambodian-language restaurant signs there were,\u201d said Dara Huot, Chief Executive Officer of Phare, with a chuckle. \u201cWe thought it would be more of an alien culture. But we have tasted more Khmer food than American food\u2014now we want to try other food.\u201d<\/p>\n
This fall marks the first U.S. tour for Phare, which was founded in 1994 in Battambang, Cambodia by survivors of the Khmer Rouge\u2014nine young men returning from refugee camps. They decided to share skills they learned in art therapy classes within the camps with the youth in the city. Their school grew exponentially, and they expanded, founding the performance arm of the school\u2014what would become Phare\u2014in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the country\u2019s second-largest city and home of Angkor Wat.<\/p>\n
Sunday night\u2019s performance at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) will be their first performance in the U.S. Very fitting, given Long Beach is home to the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been very boldly welcomed by community leaders in the community,\u201d said Huot.<\/p>\n
The tour was kickstarted by an invitation from the Ringling Brothers to perform with them in Sarasota, Florida next month. And if they were going to be in the U.S., performing in Long Beach was a must, according to one of the tour coordinators, Sorany Var.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of like coming home,\u201d said Var. \u201cIt was very important to make Long Beach a first stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
The particular performance piece the troupe will perform, Khmer Metal<\/em>, was purposeful as well, said both Var and Huot.<\/p>\n\u201cWhen people think of Cambodian performance, they think of Apsara dancers and ornate jewelry,\u201d said Var. \u201cKhmer Metal<\/em> is very modern, showing the evolution of [Cambodian performance] and showcasing ![\"Phare](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Phare_US_tour_dates_2015.jpg\")
modern elements.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cWhen we\u2019d ask Europeans about Cambodia and what images come to mind, they\u2019d say four things: Khmer Rouge, landmines, Angkor Wat and NGO [Non-Governmental Organizations],\u201d said Huot. \u201cI feel very sad when people think about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Huot said Khmer Metal<\/em> was designed to showcase the country\u2019s \u201cpositive\u201d young population, which is growing rapidly, as well as the issues they face on a daily basis\u2014issues such as alcoholism, sexuality, drugs and interpersonal relationships in a rapidly-developing country that has emerged, resilient, from a troubled past.<\/p>\nHuot called the youth of Cambodia, including Phare\u2019s performers, an \u201cimage of hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKhmer Metal<\/em> is probably, we feel, the most contemporary and most easily understood storyline, showing what the youth is experiencing,\u201d said Huot. \u201cOthers are about the life of the founders, and what they went through with the Khmer Rouge.\u201d<\/p>\nThe performance is designed to trace the often turbulent but ultimately exciting emotions of Cambodia\u2019s youth, said Huot.<\/p>\n
Huot hopes that Cambodian Americans viewing the performance gain insight into the daily lives of Cambodians and that there is more to the country than the tragic legacy shaped by the Khmer Rouge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot more to experience and learn about Cambodia,\u201d said Huot. \u201cThe message of hope and triumph in life is the greatest achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"KhmerMetal\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/KhmerMetal.jpg\")
An alluring stranger, romance, a stolen iPod, and music fuel an exciting and upbeat performance called Khmer Metal<\/a>. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n