Ep. 119: The First Hmong Arts Celebration at Mall of America

Mall of America is about to make history with its first-ever Hmong Arts Celebration, honoring 50 Years of Hmong Arts in Minnesota. This vibrant event will fill the Huntington® Bank Rotunda with music, dance, poetry, and visual art that showcase the depth and diversity of Hmong creativity.   In this episode of So Much More, we’re joined by Lue Finisher Thao, owner of Cypher Side Dance School and a leading voice in the Twin Cities arts community, and Kylie Passe, Experiential Events Coordinator at Mall of America. Together, they share the story behind this groundbreaking celebration; how it came together, what guests can expect, and why representation and cultural storytelling matter now more than ever.   Listeners will hear about Lue’s journey building Cypher Side into a hub for movement and mentorship, Kylie's behind-the-scenes insight into curating a lineup that spans generations of talent, and the shared pride of bringing Hmong artistry to one of the world’s most visited destinations.   Whether you’re an art lover, community supporter, or simply curious about the people shaping Minnesota’s creative future, this conversation is a celebration in itself.   1:45       How the name ‘Cypher Side’ came to being – it’s about individual creativity and community 3:30       The flavors and sounds of cultural community events at MOA 4:15       Traditional and modern-fusion fashion; music; dance; celebrities and more 6:35       All about Cypher Side Dance School 9:00       This event is about bringing awareness and encouraging big dreams 10:30    Interactive crafts and exhibits that will be part of the celebration 13:20    Break dancing elves and Santa – yes, it’s true! 15:00    Favorite past Mall of America Cypher Side dance events 18:00    How it takes great partners and a team to pull off major events   For more information on Cypher Side Dance School visit: https://cypherside.org/   For more information on the Hmong Arts Celebration visit: https://mallofamerica.com/events/view/35242   Guests: Lou Finisher Thao, owner of Cypher Side Dance School; Kylie Passe, Experiential Events Coordinator at Mall of America   Your host: Daniel Jasper   Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.