Los Angeles-TehranThis is the first working committee meeting and leadership dinner of the new Los Angeles-Tehran "World Cities" Online Dialogue.

Only the first 25 to RSVP will be seated. A delicious Middle Eastern buffet will be served. RSVPS to 310.657.5511. No reservations will be accepted via email. Calls only.

Dismantling the Axis of Evil (new)

This program includes a brief review of roles in film and television, followed by a spirited dicussion, and questions from the audience. Panelists include Ahmed Ahmed, comedian and actor, Reza Aslan, author of No God, but god and How to Win a Cosmic War; John Tehranian, attorney and author of Whitewashed: America's Invisible Middle Eastern Minority; Maz Jobrani, actor and comedian ("Axis of Evil Comedy Tour"; "The Interpreter"); and Shiva Rose, actress ("David & Layla," "CSI Miami"), activist and playwright.

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.

Levantine BookGroup Relaunches With The Lemon Tree, Snow, and We Look Like the Enemy

On the first Wednesday of each month, from 7:30-9:30 pm, starting on October 7th with The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan, the Levantine BookGroup resumes as the only progressive Middle East book group in Southern California.

With meetings free to the public at Levantine Cultural Center and discounted books available at the Levantine bookshop, the new Levantine BookGroup returns from its early roots as a staple of the center back in 2001, 2002, 2003. This book group offers the opportunity to discuss books written by authors of Middle Eastern origin or writing about Middle Eastern cultures and societies. Non-fiction and fiction will alternatively be selected to cover the rich literary production emanating from or about this region.

Levantine Cultural Center in association with The Writing Studio^TM offers ongoing classes in creative writing, autobiography, memoir and fiction, with Elana Golden.

Every Saturday except the 4th Saturday in the month

CLASS CAN BE JOINED AT ANY TIME, SIGN UP FOR A SET OF FOUR CLASSES.
2:15 - 5:15 PM

At Levantine Cultural Center, 5998 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
$120 for four (4) consecutive classes paid in advance
Suitable for new and experienced writers - limited to 10 participants

In each class, participants write and read in the group in an atmosphere of respect and artistic passion. The skills of creative writing are taught and explored, as well as methods to put aside the critical mind and free the writer's personal voice.

Sussan Deyhim and U2By Catherine Batruni

Since June 12th, 2009, the day of the fateful Iranian elections, the protestors on the streets of Tehran have seen an enormous outpouring of support from people all over the world. Even a simple changing of a Facebook profile picture to a "Where Is My Vote?" image was a meaningful sign of solidarity for the Iranians fighting for their freedom and civil rights.

The Immigrant Experience Workshop

THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
Saturdays July 18th, August 1st, 8th and 15th, 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Whether you and/or your family immigrated by choice, were exiled or displaced as a result of war, revolution or political suppression, you left one life behind and crossed a threshold into a new one. You may be living a life with the body in one place and the heart in another.

The workshop will offer inspiration from literature, art and music to usher you into a story that positions the personal against a historical/ political/ societal background.