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to Sufi seminar, Al Karisma concert & "Sixteen Wounded"
Play Levantine Cultural Center Honors the Legacy of Peace and Reconciliation of Martin Luther King, Jr. on this Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 GUEST FEATURE ARTICLES FROM COMMONGROUND NEWS SERVICE BLURRING THE BOUNDARIES: Israeli and Palestinian Tsunami Survivors Reunite in Jerusalem to Give Thanks/Support By Lauren Gelfond Feldinger Israelis Yossi and Inbal Gross, and Palestinians Sally and Sami Khoury, found themselves on vacation in Phuket, Thailand with four tidal waves came crashing down on their lives. US AND THEM?: The West and the Arab World: The Case of Media By Daoud Kuttab Director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al-Quds University in Ramallah, Daoud Kuttab discusses the imbalance in the flow of information from the ‘West to the Arab and Muslim region’ and argues for a more equitable two-way relationship. He further declares that "We can't expect to participate in a serious dialogue with the West unless we first develop a genuinely independent media that pays attention to our own issues. Only when we have the courage and willingness to dialogue with each other, can we succeed in organizing a dialogue with the rest of the world." SPECIAL SERIES ON ISLAM, THE WEST & THE POST 9/11 WORLD: See Range of Articles by Diverse Authors including Sarah Eltantawi The relationship between the Islamic/Arabic world and the West has been the source of growing tension throughout the world. Although the events of September 11, 2001 and the US-led response have been an important factor in the increase in tensions, there are many facets in this complicated relationship. As there are numerous relevant factors influencing this relationship, Search for Common Ground has commissioned a series of articles on the subject of Arab/Muslim-Western Relations. |
| Jan 22 (Sat.) 10 am-5pm—A Sufi Seminar: "The Alchemy of Happiness" This day-long event features "dances of universal peace, breathing practices, visualization, chanting, meditation, discourses and poetry," according to its organizers. A day of immersion in the ocean of spiritual practices given by the Sufis to awaken the heart, with particular emphasis on the stream of blessings brought by Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan, Murshid Samuel L. Lewis and Mevlana Rumi. Presented by Rev. Tasnim Hermila Fernandez, Senior teacher, Sufi Order International, Co-founder of the, International Network for Dances of Universal Peace, Interfaith Minister, Director of the Church of All in Burbank. 10am–5pm, $40, pre-registration required. Burbank workshop space is limited. Email Rev. Tasnim or Waliya for further info, or call 818.841.3246 or 310.575.1972.  
Jan. 22 (Sat.) 8-11 pm—Al Karisma Live
in VeniceLevantine Cultural Center & Souhail Kaspar's Neareastmusic.com present: Al Karisma, an ensemble featuring the Grooves of Andalusia, Arabia & North Africa. :: Open Dancing • Optional Traditional Dress Encouraged • Open Bar with Lively Reception & Middle Eastern Jewelry Vendors 8-9 pm • Full Show 9 to 11 pm :: This refreshing quintet brings together visiting master musician from Morocco, Rachid Halihal, with master percussionist Souhail Kaspar for an evening of inspired music and song. The first half of the program presents vibrant grooves from the Golden Era of Arabic music with vocal and instrumental selections including the likes of Oum Kolthoum, Mohamed Abdul Wahab, and the Rahbani brothers. The second half of the program will present a variety of different styles of music from Morocco and North Africa, including "ala" or music of Andalusia. Features visiting master musician from Morocco, Rachid Halihal on oud, violin and vocals; master percussionist Souhail Kaspar; Kylie Faint on kanun; Chakib Hilali on oud, percussion and ney; and Bahia Sultan on percussion. For full bios and to purchase advance tickets, click here. Or call 310.559.5544 to reserve by phone. Seating limited, advance purchase recommended online, or get your tickets at the door (cash only please). Tickets $20 preferred seating (includes one drink), or $15 general admission. Location: Venice United Methodist Church, 1020 Victoria Ave. at Lincoln Blvd., Venice 90291. Click here for map. Street parking. For full details, click here.
Jan.
26-Jan 30 (Wed-Sun.), 8:00 pm and 4 pm/7:30 Sun.—L.A. Theatre
Works' "Sixteen Wounded" Plays at Skirball Cultural Center |
Common Ground News provides news, op-eds, features, and analysis by local and international experts on a broad range of Middle East issues.
www.commongroundnews.org
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About the Center
evantine Cultural Center was founded in the summer of 2001 by four Middle Eastern Americans, who recognized through their own friendships and professional relationships with others of Mideast descent that we share much in common—no matter what our family religion, or our politics.
Our objective is to raise American consciousness with regard to the artistic and intellectual achievements of people of Mideast heritage, whether still living in the region, or in diaspora in the U.S., Europe or elsewhere. To have maximum effect and extend our reach beyond our current audiences (over 50,000 people a month visit our website, and nearly two thousand are on our listserv), we need you to become active suppporters of Levantine Cultural Center. Take out membership today; become a program sponsor; or volunteer! Call us at 310.559.5544 for more information.
We look forward to 2005 being a banner year in terms of advancing the center's development. Our longterm objective is to build a groundswell of support, much the way the Paris landmark Institute du Monde Arab (IMA) did in the late '80s and early '90s. In fact, it took the founders of IMA 13 years to raise the millions they needed to construct their nine-story, state-of-the-art building on the Left Bank.
It took the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles 20 years to raise $50 milion to construct the complex they now occcupy off the 405.
Our doable goal in 2005 is to move into our own building, and begin a capital campaign to raise millions over the next five years, so that we will have managed to construct the first premiere arts complex anywhere in the West devoted to cultures of the Middle East and Mediterranean.
Please become an active supporter. This year, we seek a new five-year home, where we can save for the future while continuing to make the present an enriching experience of cultural exploration for the city of Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Then we will begin the hard development work of a capital campaign.
Be sure to tell your friends about us, and we hope to see you on Jan. 22 for Al Karisma.
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Copyright © 2005 Levantine Cultural Center
editor@levantinecenter.org