Can you believe it?!

We are just starting our 12th year serving greater Los Angeles. Don Heckman wrote the first LA Times article about us, positively reviewing our first public program, in a Calendar review published June 25, 2001. (We received another thumbs-up review in December 2001 by theatre critic Don Shirley and many more LA Times articles since.) 

Get some comic relief and laugh about the Middle East with one of L.A's hottest comedy group, the Sultans of Satire, in a special performance featuring Middle Eastern comics with guest star K-von. The Sultans of Satire are seriously funny-if you love to laugh, if you need to laugh, you'll appreciate this show with its satirical insights and fresh perspectives on American and Middle Eastern life. The humor is universal; the comedans hail from the Middle East and North Africa! This show's cast features Noël Elgrably, Zara Mizrahi, Sammy Obeid and Mona Shaikh, with specal guest K-von. The Sultans of Satire is the longest-running Middle Eastern stand-up comedy show in the U.S. Features some of the best young stand-up comedians today from diverse faiths. This show cosponsored by Freedom Theatre West. Tickets/info 323.413.2001. Watch video clips at sultansofsatire.com.

This show is seriously funny. If you love to laugh, if you need to laugh, you'll dig the Sultans of Satire with its satirical insights and fresh perspectives on American and Middle Eastern life. The revolving cast features Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud, Omar Elba, Nöel Elgrably, Amir K., Sheno Khal and Mona Shaikh. The Sultans of Satire is the longest-running Middle Eastern stand-up comedy show in the U.S. Features some of the best young stand-up comedians today who just happen to be of Arab, Lebanese, Palestinian, Egyptian, Iranian and Moroccan heritage from diverse faiths. Tickets/info 323.413.2001. Watch video clips at sultansofsatire.com.

With Monajat Galeet Dardashti, inheritor of a Persian musical legacy from her grandfather, famed classical singer Yona Dardashti, presents a multi-sensory musical performance to kick off a weekend exploring Iranian Jewish cultural history, as part of the ongoing "Light and Shadows" exhibit. Monajat features live music layered with an electronic soundscape and dynamic live video art in a performance that re-imagines the poetic, repentant Jewish prayers of Selichot. A talkback with Dardashti follows the performance.

[Monday December 10, 2012] On Wednesday December 19th, The Levantine Cultural Center presents honored media critic and film scholar Dr. Jack G. Shaheen in an intimate discussion and forum on misleading stereotypes based on Hollywood's negative portrayal of Arabs. Shaheen will be discussing his life-long commitment to illuminate social justice, with insights into the highs and lows of his 40-year quest, including his mission to reveal and terminate these damaging Arab and Muslim stigmas.

Few Americans realize it, but Morocco was indeed the first country in the world to officially recognize the new revolutionary American government, in 1777. In the spirit of friendship and the holiday spirit, Moroccans, Americans, North Africans and our friends invite everyone together for an evening of camaraderie, with mint tea and sweets provided by the Moroccan American Association of California and the Moroccan American Friendship Association. Seating limited, RSVPs strongly recommended, to 323.413.2001.

WHO: Jack G. Shaheen, media activist
WHERE: Levantine Cultural Center, 5998 W. Pico Blvd., LA 90035, street parking.
PRICE: Free to general public
INFO/RSVPs: Levantine Cultural Center, 323.413.2001, levantinecenter.org.

[Los Angeles-Monday November 27, 2012] Beginning Saturday, December 1st, the Levantine Cultural Center presents a fascinating new exhibit based on the work of film and media scholar Dr. Jack G. Shaheen's work: A is for Arab: Stereotypes in U.S. Popular Culture.

New comedians added: Omid Singh and Amir K. Hilarious! Outrageous! Do you want satirical insights on the Middle East? Ready for a fresh and funny perspective on American and Middle Eastern life? Need to laugh about it all? The Sultans of Satire show features some of the best stand-up comedians today who just happen to be of Arab, Iranian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern Jewish heritage. This edition of Middle East Comic Relief features (Egyptian American) Omar Elba who hosts, along with (Pakistani American) Mona Shaikh, (Jordanian American) Mike Batayeh, (Sephardic American) Noël Elgrably and special guests Omid Singh (Iranian-Indian) and Amir K. (Iranian), with a special appearance by (Indian Jewish) Samson Koletkar from the Bay Area. 

Don't miss the new reboot of the classic Levantine comedy show! More outrageous, more politically incorrect! Celebrating the 7th anniversary of the Sultans of Satire, the comedians perform at the Levantine Café after recent appearances on the Comedy Central Stage, UC Berkeley and UCLA. This edition of Middle East Comic Relief features Ara Basil, Marie Thérèse Abou-Daoud, Omar Elba, Paul Elia, and Mike Batayeh, with special appearances by Samson Koletkar from the Bay Area and Nasry Malak. The hilarious Peter the Persian headlines! Samson Koletkar videos.   Peter the Persian on Persian coolness.    Mike Batayeh on the LA experience.   Nöel Elgrably in the Sultans of Satire.   Omar Elba's latest clip.