Rosa Rojas: guedra dancer and teacherGuedra is a ritual blessing dance from the Tuareg Berbers, or "Blue People". Guedra is performed to envelop all present with positive energy, peace and spiritual love.The rhythmical clapping, and chanting, and dancers finger's and hand movements all have their origin in ancient symbolism. The Blue People consider Guedra to be their direct contact the elements, spirit, and universe. It is their deepest expression of their souls and provides protection against a hostile environment and evil spirits. The Guedra is an Arabic word for cooking pot. The cooking pot was covered in animal skin to make a drum to be played in the heartbeat rhythm. Workshop is open to all!

The Guedra workshop will begin with counter clapping and chanting warm up. Students will learn two blessing and counter clapping rhythms. There will also be a T'bal (standing dance) warm up. we will than proceed with Guedra on the knees and sitting position, and explore the intricacies of the hand, and arm movements. The Symbolic gestures are designed to send out blessings to the future, past, and present; to the Sun, Earth, Water and Wind. Towards the end of the workshop we will combine all elements of the Guedra.

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.

Levantine Cultural Center in association with The Writing Studio^TM offers ongoing classes in creative writing,

Arabic instructor Dina Abou-SalemRegister Today To Learn Conversational Levantine or "Shami" Arabic Using Dive

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.

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.

Conversational Arabic: classes emphasize speaking, understanding and grammarRegister Today To Learn "Shami" Arabic Using Diverse Audiovisual Supplements Including Music and Film

Levantine 1 for Beginners: Class meets Mondays, 7:15-10:00 pm, starting the second Monday of September, on Sept. 14, through November 16, 2009.

Small class size (15 students max) meets at the Levantine Cultural Center, 5998 W. Pico Blvd., one block east of Crescent Heights Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90035 (ample street parking).

These are great classes for those wishing to learn the essentials of conversational Arabic spoken in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine/Israel. Tuition competitively priced at just $300. Members of Levantine Cutural Center receive a 10% discount. Individual class audits, $35 per session. Call for more info: 310.657.5511.

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.

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

Beginning Saturday, September 12th, 2009
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.

An assignment exploring a topic such as childhood, immigration, relationships, sexuality, prejudice, war, addiction, financial crisis, grief and hope is presented in each class. World myths, and music, painting and literature of the great masters are used to inspire the work. The classes are cathartic, educational, transformational and fun.