By Mischa Geracoulis

Yuval Ron Ensemble: with guests Najwa Gibran, Norik Manoukian, Miriam Peretz, Maya Karasso

The Yuval Ron Ensemble will perform mystical music and dance of the Middle East. Celebrating the ancient cultures of the three Abrahamic faiths, this concert features musical director Yuval Ron on oud and Norik Manoukian on duduk and woodwinds, with Palestinian vocalist Najwa Gibran, and folkloric dancers Maya Karasso and Miriam Peretz.

Tickets available at the Middle East Ministry Table on Sundays or call 626.583.2734 and speak to Norma Sigmund.

Listen to music sample.

Miriam Peretz Silk Road-Afghan Dance WorkshopDon't miss this exclusive dance workshop taught by the much-lauded San Francisco-based dancer and choreographer, Miriam Peretz.

The Silk Road was a historic trading route stretching 7,000 miles across Central Asia from the China Sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west. Some of the countries include- Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.

This workshop will give small samples of various Central Asian dance styles, with a main focus on Afghan dance. The workshop will give special attention to the art of spinning (central to all Central Asian dance forms,) and teach Afghan dance vocabulary culminating in a short dance. We will also learn the attan—the national folk dance of Afghanistan, danced at almost all celebrations and rites of passage.

Miriam Peretz is an internationally acclaimed performing artist and instructor specializing in dances from the Silk Road and the Middle East.

 

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.

Levantine Cultural Center launches the Levantine Film Circle with new monthly series, beginning October 18, 2009 with two Los Angeles premieres, the feature "Driving to Zigzigland" and

Kiyana dance, mystical whirling weekendOctober 23, Friday, 7-9 pm, Conference and Demonstration

October 24, Saturday, 6-9 pm, Training, Movements & Dancing

October 25, Sunday, 4:30-7:30 pm, Training, Movements & Dancing

Sama'a master Javad Tehranian returns for a national tour with Kiyana presentations in Los Angeles in October, teaching the Persian form of whirling or Sufi dance known as Kiyana.

Wear comfortable clothes and prepare for a three-hour intense dance and exercise workshop (Oct. 23 is a conference and presentation only).

Javad Tehranian teaches vital exercises, infinity respiration, eye exercises, and body discipline, as well as symmetric and asymmetric movements by the method of divided attention, inner development, rhythmical contemplative movements, and the  enchanting, euphoric Sama'a dance.

Kiyana, meaning “the origin”, is a system of movements and internal work coming from ancient Persia; it relates to the education and the complete development, the unity and oneness of the body, mind and spirit, cleanliness, purity, equilibrium, power, health of body, tranquility in the mind and subtility of the soul of human beings.

Anna Djanbazian's Zal & Rudabeh Contemporary BalletThe premiere of full-length contemporary ballet theatre 'ZAL & RUDABEH,' conceived and directed by award-winning choreographer Anna Djanbazian, divulges a timeless tale of forbidden romance, war, triumph and the transcendental power of love, based on an epic tale— 'Shah-nameh'—the Book of Kings, by Ferdowsi, an 11th century Persian poet.

The ballet 'ZAL & RUDABEH,' inspired by the vibrant skills of Persian storytelling, NAQQALI, showcases this historic fable, interwoven with live percussion, song and poetry recitation in both Persian and English.

The Djanbazian Dance Company performers include Athenia Barouni, Tina Mirzakhanian, Alex Crawford, Rubina Vartanian, Talita Ghazanian, Tania Mangasarian, Talin Davidian, Alina Ananian, Anoush Akopyan, Lana Moussesian, Biayna Ayvazian, Christine Dashdemirians, Maryam Ghukasian, and Catherine Eskandar.

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.