One Hundred One Levantine Delights

[Los Angeles, April 29, 2009] Since 2001, Levantine Cultural Center (LCC) has been the place in Los Angeles to find public programs on Israelis and Palestinians, Iraq, Iran and North Africa; it has been a rallying point for the Arab/Muslim world to see itself reflected accurately and for the most part, positively, through world-class literary, visual and performing arts programs. Using cultural diplomacy that emphasizes the importance of interfaith relationships, the center presents programs and education to a broad range of constituents in Southern California—to Americans of all cultural backgrounds.

Arena Productions presents a benefit concert for the documentary “Children of War,” directed by Bryan Single. This evening features a performance by the Element Band followed by DJ Remy as he plays music from around the world.

Silent Auction featuring artwork donated by Vahe Berberian, Vachag, Sev, Farzad Karimi, Upper Playground, Sam Saghatelian, Roobo, Jon Draggonette and Edik Havobian. 100% of proceeds will go towards the release of the feature length documentary “Children of War.”

Filmed in the war zone of northern Uganda, Africa, this is a unique and incandescent documentary which follows the emotional and spiritual journey of a group of former child soldiers as they undergo a process of healing in a rehabilitation center.

Purchase advance tix online here. For more information on the film please log on to www.childrenofwarfilm.com.

The Element Band

“Beneath The Veil” stars Mary Apick, Apick Youssefian and Ali Pourtash at the Geffen Playhouse

A provocative look at the clash of secular and political ideologies, "Beneath the Veil" is timed to commemorate International Women’s Day. This exclusive engagement is produced and directed by Mary Apick. The play includes traditional Middle Eastern music and dance. Purchase tickets here.

Winner of the 2005 Los Angeles Theatre Festival’s Critics’ Choice Award, “Beneath the Veil” is the provocative and spine chilling portrayal of the true lives of women and girls in the 21st century who have been forced to cover their faces in public, as well as those who freely choose to wear the veil. The message of the play is "choice and freedom”—the birthright of every human, including women and girls.

...A few pix from the evening:

Tony Khalife, Necar Zadegan and Shila Vosough, with Miles Jay on bass......dancing in the spirit of Rumi......with Matthew Huffshui on percussion......the Valentine crew with dancer Joan Terry and......enjoying the music and poetry at Mimoda Studio...

“My Rumi Valentine”

A mystical romantic evening of world music and dance, poetry, flowers, aphrodisiacs...with guest artists Necar Zadegan and Shila Vosough, presented by Tony Khalife.

No Borders: by Anna-Marie Lopez de LeonThis eclectic event benefitting Doctors Without Borders includes a silent art auction with work by dozens of contributing artists including Anna-Marie Lopez de Leon, and performances by the Middle Eastern-jazz fusion group Saffron Parade Arabesque Band, Tehran’s heavy metal band TarantisT, belly dancers, deejays and much more. Pic Vicious and Killsonic will perform later in the soirée.

Best of Natacha Atlas: your purchase benefits LCC programmingNatacha Atlas has long been one of our favorite Arab fusion artists, though it’s been several years since we’ve seen her in Los Angeles. The London-based singer was born in Belgium of Egyptian and Moroccan heritage. She sings in Arabic, French and English. Natacha cut her teeth singing with the Transglobal Underground and has more than half a dozen solo albums to her credit. She’s also served as Good Will Ambassador for the United Nations and has always been an outspoken peace advocate.

The Silk Road Music & Dance Ensemble and the iST-West Ensemble will perform live with special guest vocalist Serpil Borazan. Featuring Rowan Storm on percussions, with Nyofu Tyson on saz, Neil Seigel on Azeri tar, Ergun Tamer on kanun and Robyn Friend performing dances of Turkey and Central Asia, plus additional musicians.

Zarbang and Banafsheh with Namah Dancers at the Wilshire Ebell. Enjoy an evening of exquisite contemporary mystical Persian music and dance. An evening of wild and whirling dance, ground-breaking drums and Rumi's evocative poetry. A collection of masters, seasoned from years together, Mirror features the Sufi dance innovator Banafsheh, her dance company NAMAH and music from the world renowned ZARBANG.

Merging contemporary dance with Sufi ritual, Persian dance & Flamenco, Banafsheh and ZARBANG take the audience on a journey into the mysteries of being alive and living from the heart, featuring Pejman Hadadi, Behnam & Reza Samani, Javid Afsari, Kelly Archbold and Bahareh Ebrahimzadeh. At the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. 8th St., Los Angeles 90005. Tickets & Information: 818.887.7878, 818.908.0808.

Zarbang and Banafsheh: concert of contemporary mystical music and dance