The Third Area presents "Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here, a Memorial Reading" as part of LA of the Land 2010: Transnational City:

"New Voices" Film Series Screens Franco-Lebanese-Iranian Feature

"Niloofar"Levantine Center presents an exclusive director's screening of Niloofar, the acclaimed directorial debut by Franco-Lebanese director Sabine El Gemayel. Filmed in the Khuzestan Province of Iran, near the Iraqi border, this movie is in Persian with English subtitles (82 minutes). This is third film to screen in the New Voices in Middle Eastern Cinema series, which takes place every third Thursday of the month. A Q & A with writer/director Sabine El Gemayel will follow the screening.

Niloofar is a twelve-year-old girl whose dream is to read and write, but she lives in a village where education is only for boys. Her mother, a well-known midwife, insists that Niloofar become her apprentice. While assisting her mother during a delivery, Niloofar meets a feminist woman who undertakes to teach her in secret. Unfortunately, in exchange for a palm tree field, Niloofar's father promises her in marriage to an older man once she becomes a woman.

Horrified by this notion, Niloofar does everything in her power to postpone her first periods. Eventually, the inevitable occurs. However, Niloofar, who is determined to keep her freedom as long as possible, arranges to conceal the fact from her family for another two years until the truth can no longer be hidden. Then, rather than live in a marriage without love, Niloofar runs away with her friend. Shocked, her family considers itself dishonored and sends her step-brother to track her down.

Reviewed by Afsaneh Ashley Tabaddor

What does it mean to be "White" in America today?

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).

By Uri Avnery

Maz Jobrani, "Brown and Friendly"The very funny physical and political comedian Maz Jobrani headlines on his latest comedy tour "Brown and Friendly" after wrapping up the "Axil of Evil" experience, coming back to Los Angeles, his home town for the past decade. Born in Iran, raised in San Francisco, Maz is one of the top stand-up comedians to emerge since 2001. He cut his teeth during the Bush era, making fun of many things Iranian, Middle Eastern and American, while starring in countless comedy shows around the country, and indeed, around the world.

On January 23rd, he brings "Brown and Friendly" to the Wiltern Theater. Opening for him will be Iranian-Scottish American hybrid K-von, with the Armenian-Sicilian comedian Sam Tripoli, plus Ian Edwards, and Quinn Dahle. Maz Jobrani is a cultural ambassador with Levantine Cultural Center.

Read an article about the show.

 Ara Basil's "Ballistic" Comedy Show: click image to purchase tickets

Ara Basil's "Ballistic" debuts starring Jonny Loquasta of CBS' Mobile "LOL", Noel Elgrably of "Sultans of Satire", "Axis of Evil Comedy Show", "New York Arab Comedy Festival" and the LA Comedy Festival." Also starring the very funny Iranian comedian Nadine Rajabi, of Showtime's "Hot Tamales" as well as a regular commentator on E!, XM Radio, VH1, "The Skinny" (Fox TV) and the Style Network. Also starring the superb Armenian Sicilian comic SamTripoli, who has appeared on Spike TV, Showtime's "Comics Without Borders," Comedy Central and Live Nude.

The headliner for this show is the great Greek comedian from Canada, Angelo Tsarouchas, who has his own Showtime special, regular stars in Canada's "Just for Laughts" and has been in "Mad Men", "Fred and Vinnie" and even the "Sultans of Satire."

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

Golnaz Family Reunion, Tehran to LAX: Photos by Shelley Gazin (NFS); All Rights ReservedLevantine Cultural Center's Inside/Outside Gallery presents a roster of six artists in "Artists for Iran," a celebration of the arts and human rights.

Combining cultural diplomacy and human rights, "Artists for Iran" comes on the heels of International Human Rights Day.

Works in the show "Artists for Iran" will remain on display at the Inside/Outside Gallery through December 31, 2009.

Among the participants are:

Anahid Boghosian (artist)
Rabea Chaudhry (artist)
Sophia Gasparian (artist)
Shelley Gazin (photographer)
Maryam Gueramian (artist)
Jessica Shokrian (photographer-video artist)

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.