Sài Gòn By Night
A Cabaret Celebrating
Vietnamese Art & Culture
September 20, 2025 at Pearl Street Warehouse
Sài Gòn By Night is inspired by the iconic Paris By Night variety show from the early 1980s. The original was a cultural lifeline for the Vietnamese diaspora, particularly in the years following the end of the War in Vietnam. 50 years later, Sài Gòn By Night, created by artist children of the first Vietnamese immigrants, serves as a bridge between the refugee generation’s cultural preservation and the contemporary Vietnamese American experience. Experience how Viet culture is thriving today in music, drag, dance, comedy, and theater.
The show is executively produced by Philippa Pham Hughes and presented by Vagabond, a collective of Vietnamese artists, rooted in the DMV.
Meet The Cast
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Sài Gòn By Night 2025 graphic by Sophie Nguyen and Anthony Le
MCs:
Philippa Pham Hughes
Lộc “Leo” Nguyễn
Folktales and Poetry:
Thu Anh Nguyen
Drag:
Ant Honey aka Anthony Trung Quang Le
The Band:
Fictionals aka Jess Nguyen
Ellie La’Goon
Joe Gopiao
Nathan Fussel
Veronique aka Veronica Faison
Dancers:
Khue Duong
Sarina Asher
Come see the show the Kennedy Center didn’t want you to see!
The Kennedy Center banned this show when we refused to take out the drag performance. We were able to discuss the ban in Time Magazine and NPR’s All Things Considered.
When the Kennedy Center cancelled our show, we also lost funding to pay the artists involved. If you are able to support more, we have a Premium ticket level which directly supports paying the participating artists more equitably.
Meet The MCs
Philippa Pham Hughes
Executive Producer and MC
As a former Social Practice Resident at the Kennedy Center, I had the opportunity to produce something that showcases the breadth and depth of the next generation of Vietnamese artists in America. That vision was cut short. But because of the resilience of our community and the support of the DC arts community, the show will go on!
Stand-up comedian and DJ from Sài Gòn here! I cannot wait to channel my inner Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn to MC the night alongside my lovely co-host, Phillippa Hughes. Being apart of this production feels like I am hanging out and practicing skits with all of my cousins – you can’t really top that. From a small (but mighty) zine project “Vagabond”, we look forward to taking the big stage!
Meet The Special Acts
Thu Anh Nguyen
Poet and Performer
Thu Anh Nguyen is a Saigon-born, FL raised, Marylander who grew up dancing and singing to Paris by Night with her huge family of aunties and cousins. She is a poet and painter whose work proudly examines what it means to be an immigrant. She is excited to share her poetry and storytelling in the show, and to honor all her aunties and female elders by playing the Mom in the skit.
This year, I’ve expanded my art practice into performance, dance and drag, creating new ways to invite the audience to explore joy and belonging in today’s fragmented world. Dancing is making me so happy right now, and I want to share that feeling.
Khue Duong
Dancer and Performer
Khue Duong is a Vietnamese-American actress, singer, and dancer based in the DMV. As a Viet Immigrant, Khue is happy to join force in Saigon By Night as a performer, dancing in the musical number and in the skit.
Meet The Band
Fictionals
Musician and Musical Director
As an artist and founder of an organization that advocates for the interests of a diaspora displaced by imperial violence (Viet Place Collective) — I have a responsibility to bridge connections between the personal and political, to rectify the silent violence of historical amnesia concerning the war against my people.
The choice to remember is a choice to deny erasure of the past, which is why nostalgic shows like Paris by Night have held an international diaspora together for decades. With Sai Gon by Night, I hope to celebrate and evolve this feeling of collective nostalgia into collective joy and action.
Ellie La’Goon
Musician
I’m just a musician/artist! I will be apart of the Fictionals backing band (the drummer!) and I’m from the heart of the DMV.
Joe is DMV native who enjoys playing and listening to music with others, being outdoors, and learning niche skills. Joe will be playing saxophone, keys, and bass as part of Fictionals’ band.
Nathan Fussel
Musician
I’m musician from a small town in southern VA, and i’m an instrumentalist for the show.
Veronique is a jazz-influenced songwriter and vocalist and lover of reproductive justice, supporting the show with background vocals.
Meet The Dancers
Khue Duong is a Vietnamese-American actress, singer, and dancer based in the DMV. As a Viet Immigrant, Khue is happy to join force in Saigon By Night as a performer, dancing in the musical number and in the skit.
Sarina is one of the backup dancers and the lead choreographer for our live band performance! She has trained and performed in various styles such as contemporary, hip hop, heels, and street jazz. She was born and raised in the DMV and is passionate about building and uplifting community.
Meet The Skit Performers
Stand-up comedian and DJ from Sài Gòn here! I cannot wait to channel my inner Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn to MC the night alongside my lovely co-host, Phillippa Hughes. Being apart of this production feels like I am hanging out and practicing skits with all of my cousins – you can’t really top that. From a small (but mighty) zine project “Vagabond”, we look forward to taking the big stage!
Thu Anh Nguyen is a Saigon-born, FL raised, Marylander who grew up dancing and singing to Paris by Night with her huge family of aunties and cousins. She is a poet and painter whose work proudly examines what it means to be an immigrant. She is excited to share her poetry and storytelling in the show, and to honor all her aunties and female elders by playing the Mom in the skit.
Khue Duong is a Vietnamese-American actress, singer, and dancer based in the DMV. As a Viet Immigrant, Khue is happy to join force in Saigon By Night as a performer, dancing in the musical number and in the skit.
Khoi Duong
Performer
I’m born and raised in Loudoun County and am playing the son in the skit.
Venue
Pearl Street Warehouse
Meet The Team
- Rosana Vollmerhausen (Project Manager)
- Mollie Coleman, High Caliber Events (Stage Manager)
- Ashley Jaye Williams (Production)
- Sophie Nguyen (Graphic Designer)
- Paris Preston (Videographer)
- Clarisse Liclic (Photographer)
- Jeron Hagler (Photographer)