East/West CONVERGENCES features artists from Syria and Lebanon and highlights the eloquence and interconnectedness of Arab and Western cultures. Exhibit runs through February 28, 2010.

Contact: Sarah Holswade For Immediate Release
Tel: 310.657.5511
Email: sarah@levantinecenter.org

East/West
CONVERGENCES
Artists from Syria and Lebanon

Golnaz Family Reunion, Tehran to LAX: Photos by Shelley Gazin (NFS); All Rights ReservedLevantine Cultural Center's Inside/Outside Gallery presents a roster of six artists in "Artists for Iran," a celebration of the arts and human rights.

Combining cultural diplomacy and human rights, "Artists for Iran" comes on the heels of International Human Rights Day.

Works in the show "Artists for Iran" will remain on display at the Inside/Outside Gallery through December 31, 2009.

Among the participants are:

Anahid Boghosian (artist)
Rabea Chaudhry (artist)
Sophia Gasparian (artist)
Shelley Gazin (photographer)
Maryam Gueramian (artist)
Jessica Shokrian (photographer-video artist)

Contact: Sarah Holswade For Immediate Release
Tel: 310.657.5511
Email: sarah@levantinecenter.org

ARTISTS FOR IRAN
A Celebration of the Arts and Human Rights

Who: Visual artists, poets, writers, comedians, actors and more.

What: A night devoted to literary, visual and performing arts highlighting the issues of human rights in Iran and around the world.

Where: Levantine Cultural Center,
5998 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90035

When: Dec. 12, 2009 from 7:30pm to 12am

Details: Free to the public, donations requested, open bar.

 

Photo by Jessica Shokrian: © Jessica Shokrian All Rights ReservedPhoto by Shelley Gazin: © Shelley Gazin All Rights ReservedLevantine Cultural Center presents an extensive roster of artists and performers in "Artists for Iran," a celebration of the arts and human rights in conjunction with United4Iran.org, which is coordinating related programs in 27 cities worldwide. Combining cultural diplomacy and human rights, "Artists for Iran" comes on the heels of International Human Rights Day. Artists from Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East along with Americans of diverse backgrounds will merge in a space devoted to art, photography, poetry, live performance, comedy and more.  Works in the show "Artists for Iran" will remain on display at the Inside/Outside Gallery through December 31, 2009.

Imaginary Knots: Multimedia Persian PerformanceDancer and choreographer Shida Pegahi, a founding member of Levantine Cultural Center, will present her new collaboration with Iranian composer and musician Hamid Saeidi along with a highly creative team of 30 artists who have put together an evening celebrating the cultural origins of Persian carpets at LACMA.

LACMA has acquired two 16th century Persian carpets that are going to be on display for two months and Levantine Cultural Center, SociArts and the Farhang Foundation wanted to encourage the community to come and see those carpets and enjoy an artistic event about Persian carpets.

Huguette Caland's "Autumn" showLebanon-born fine artist Huguette Caland opens her solo show, Autumn, with a reception on Nov. 7 and show running through December 19, 2009.

new work by Kinda Hibrawi"Dear Mr. Gibran" features new paintings by Kinda Hibrawi. Khalil Gibran is one of Lebanon's most revered poets and spiritual seekers who spent many years living in New York and hence has become a symbol of east-west understanding, with his major work The Prophet selling millions of copies in translation around the world.

Opening Reception November 14, 7-10 pm. Special guest performance by Omar Offendum.

Women in Film 3rd Annual Short Film SeriesPalestinian & Israeli Film/Culture

Through a diverse program of short films, art, poetry, comedy and more, this year's series will celebrate and support the creative talents of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers. Every filmmaker has a unique perspective on their culture and their world. The films selected both narrative and documentary, will provide views into the psyche of these communities and deepen our understanding of Palestinian and Israeli life, lands, and cultures.

The short films shown at this special event are the apex of an entire evening of artistic expression.

While tasting the culinary delights of both Palestinians and Israelis, the audience will enjoy a display of fine art: paintings and photographs. Entertainment will include Palestinian and Israeli dance and music that will express the vibrant and artistic beauty of these two diverse cultures.

"Mary Apick's play, Beneath the Veil, skewers the worst of fundamentalist ideology, whether East or West, while championing freedom of expression for woman—including a woman's desire to don the veil, or not. I thought it was a smart, brave piece of theatre." —Jordan Elgrably

 
"Beneath the Veil" at the Irvine Barclay TheatreThis is the first run of Beneath the Veil in Orange County. Organzied by Jewel of Persia at the Barclay, the play has already won over audiences at the Kennedy Center in DC and the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood.

"Beneath the Veil" is the brainchild of award-winning actress and activist Mary Apick, a popular child star and performer in her native Iran who was forced to flee the country after the Iranian Revolution. Since then, she has enjoyed a successful acting career in the United States, sometimes tackling politically charged projects.