How We Live at the Casitas StudiosSays photographer Sara Anjargolian: "'Are these photographs going to make a di

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).

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.

By Meena Nanji

By Tamim Ansary

Review by Tara Marie Good

A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes: your purchase benefits in part Levantine Cultural CenterIn 1940 Walter Benjamin wrote, "To articulate what is past does not mean to recognize ‘how it really was.' It means to take control of a memory, as it flashes in a moment of danger." For the German-Jewish Marxist philosopher that moment of danger was the Nazi march on Europe. The moment of danger that inspired Afghani born Tamim Ansary to articulate Islamic history in Destiny Disrupted was September 11th.

Destiny Disrupted is a historical narrative of the Islamic world addressing the chasm seen to separate Western and Middle Eastern histories. The main thesis presented by Ansary is that the history of Islam and the West are two parallel histories, which overlap at points, but are fundamentally separate. Claiming to represent a general Muslim perception, Ansary charts Middle Eastern history from the ancient world to the western colonial and economic expansion in the modern era.

ALOUD and the Vesper Society present Irene Khan, on "The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights." She will in conversation with David Kaye. Executive Director, UCLA School of Law International Human Rights Program

Percussionist Rowan StormRowan Storm, master of Middle East percussion and vocalist who has performed with a wide range of world music stars, including Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Naser Musa and Souhail Kaspar, will offer a rare Los Angeles workshop on "Essential Frame Drum Method: an Introductory Survey of Middle Eastern Frame Drums."

This workshop is for new and experienced drummers, but note that no previous experience is necessary.

In this three-hour workshop you will learn:

1. Essential elements for playing Frame Drums of the Middle East and Mediterranean, including:
- Frame Drums with nothing added
- Frame Drums with jingles: tambourine
- Frame Drums with rings: dayereh and daf

2. Key patterns which are common to many kinds of Middle Eastern percussion instruments

3. Efficient technique which empowers you to play tirelessly for many hours

4. Rhythms from the Middle East and Balkans

Using film, music and scholarship, on August 5th, speakers will explore the Mizrahim (Eastern Jews):

• Are the Jews of the Middle East/North Africa as Arab or Iranian as their host nationalities?
• 
  How were they received in Israel?
• 
  Are the Mizrahim/Sephardim a missing link to Middle East peace?

Using film, music and scholarship, on August 5th, speakers will explore the Mizrahim (Eastern Jews):

Jordan Elgrably: speaking at a recent event at USCBy Amanda Georges
The L.A. Pilot

LOS ANGELES — Even before September 11 drastically shifted the way Arab-Americans lived, journalist and writer Jordan Elgrably was already thinking about ways to educate America about the Arab world.

Months before the attack, Elgrably helped found Levantine Cultural Center in 2001, a Los Angeles based non-profit organization that works to showcase the top names in Middle Eastern music, film and art as an alternative resource of information about the Middle East.

In a post-9/11 world, Elgrably finds his original mission to be even more relevant and imperative.

Elgrably believes that art and culture offer people a unique perspective into Arab and Middle Eastern life and politics.