Passage to Dawn concertThe Society of Cinema and Arts presents "Passage to Dawn" at the Zipper in a night of live Persian and Azari music with master musicians Hamid Motebassem on setar, Pejman Hadadi on percussion and Imamyar Hasanov on kamancheh.

This is haunting, spirited music suitable for those with the soul of a Sufi wanderer.

Sample some Hamid Motebassem music now.

A portion of the ticket sales benefits Child International (C.H.I.L.D.), a major charitable organization that helps children in Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East with educational and development needs—so you can feel good while feeling good.

Buy tickets online here (be sure to scroll down).

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.

Reviewed by Jen Reinhardt

He who has faith will never get lost. He who is at peace won't lose his way. —Bab'Aziz.

"Bab'Aziz" poster: your purchase in part benefits Levantine Cultural CenterWatching "Bab'Aziz" reminded me of how much I had become accustomed to Western cinematic conventions such as linear temporality and narrative structure. Akin to the dance of a whirling dervish (i.e. a Sufi Muslim ascetic), this film blends together a kaleidoscope of tales with breathtaking dreamscapes shot by celebrated Iranian photographer and cinematographer Mahmoud Kalari and an original musical score by Israeli composer Armand Amar. (The film costars Golshifteh Farahani.)

Co-written by Tunisian director Nacer Khemir, "Bab'Aziz" (2006) is the third and final installment of his "Desert Trilogy," and loosely follows the story of blind dervish, Bab'Aziz, and his granddaughter, Ishtar, as they embark on an eventful journey through the desert. Much like "A Thousand and One Nights," in which Scheherazade entertains the Prince with her tales and postpones her death by prolonging the ending until the following day, in order to keep Ishtar entertained on their search for the gathering of the Dervish that occurs once every thirty years, Bab'Aziz spins the story of a prince who one fateful day leaves his kingdom and becomes transfixed by his reflection.

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.

Reviewed by Jen Reinhardt

When Tupac Shakur spit tracks in the ‘90s about American racism, poverty, social injustice, and life in the hood, he probably had no idea that he would later become one of the most revered cultural icons for thousands of young Palestinians.

Slingshot Hip Hop, the DVD: $25 per copy for personal home use only"Slingshot Hip Hop," a 2008 documentary from the New York-based director, producer and editor Jackie Reem Salloum, follows the burgeoning Palestinian hip hop scene from the mixed (Arab and Jew) cities in Israel to the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank. The documentary focuses on the members of the first Palestinian hip hop crew, DAM, who describe how they learn English by translating 2Pac's lyrics into Arabic. [Levantine Cultural Center was the first organization to bring DAM to Southern California for a live performance, back in 2007.]

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

Hamed Nikpay: all photos by Mak NZ

Reviewed by Omid Arabian

Hamed Nikpay, the Iranian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, brought his unique brand of flamenco-infused Persian music to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on October 3rd. Mr. Nikpay is blessed with a powerful voice that—though it lacks the velvety richness of Nazeri’s or the theatricality of Namjoo’s—can bring the house down with its sheer force. For most of the evening, however, Mr. Nikpay stopped short of going full-blast, preferring instead to showcase his admittedly impressive control and impeccable musicality.  This made for a show that, though long on beauty and class, was also a bit short on passion—despite the flamenco flavor.

Hamed NikpayHamed Nikpay's "All Is Calm On The Road / Asoudeh Dar Raah" Concert Tour wraps up in Los Angeles on Oct. 3rd at the Wishire Ebell Theater.

Order tix online or at Music Box-Westwood; Sherkat Ketab-Westwood; QMarket-Valley; Woodland Hills Market-Valley; Mission Ranch Market-Irvine.

Box office opens at 6:30 pm, show starts at 8:00 pm.

Fusion Vocalist Hamed Nikpay, with an ensemble of acclaimed world music performing & recording artists, sings Persian-Flamenco melodies from his new album "All Is Calm."

8th Annual West Hollywood Book FairLevantine Cultural Center will be participating in the 8th annual West Hollywood Book Fair, Sunday October 4th, 2009 with a booth featuring authors and musicians/peformers, and a panel discussion with Tamim Ansary and Reza Aslan. Directions/map.

For the past seven years, this event has attracted many avid readers and book enthusiasts alike. Over 400 authors and artists will be in attendance during the 2009 edition of the WeHo Book Fair, with some 100 discussion panels, book signings, writing workshops, poetry readings, storytelling and theatre. As ever, there will be a children’s area to entertain kids.

Come visit the Levantine Cultural Center’s booth (# E47-48, located in “The Field”), where we will have a comfortable lounge area to relax in, interesting books, CDs and DVDs available for purchase and some free goodies for those who come by. We will also be hosting a number of book/CD/DVD signings with authors and musicians: