A 9/11 Gallery

March 22 (Sat), 8 pm (doors 7 pm)The Art of Resistance 2: Arabs, Blacks & Jews Culture Jam

A multidisciplinary evening of music, poetry, discussion and more, "The Art of Resistance" returns and will once again provide an artistic and intellectual forum for participants and audience members to think about alternatives to the existing master narrative, and to see/hear how Black, Arab and Jewish artists and writers "resist" our status quo of received ideas. Co-presented by Levantine Cultural Center and and the international literary journal, TheTruthAbouttheFact.com, "The Art of Resistance" is co-produced and co-hosted by African American author Michael Datcher, editor of The Truth About The Fact: An International Journal of Literary Nonfiction based at LMU, where he teaches in the English Department; and Arab Jewish writer Jordan Elgrably, who heads up the Levantine Cultural Center in Los Angeles, which has explored contemporary arts/cultures of North Africa and the Middle East, building bridges to peace since 2001.

Guest artists include actors Roger Guenveur Smith and Mark Broyard, poets Peter Harris and Rachel Kann, Deejay Al-Fareed and the hip hop crew Chutzpah, along with author/professors Saree Makdisi and Darnise Martin. There will be a musical performance by Nailah. See artist bios below. Watch Quicktime movie of last year's Art of Resistance, produced by Christeon Gordon of Naked Sun Productions.

Media Sponsor

KPFK 90.7 FM is the media sponsor. This program is cosponsored by CODEPINK: Women for Peace & The Whole 9.


Space limited, advance reservations are strongly advised. Last year it was standing room only and totally worthwhile. [See original Art of Resistance page.]

Sat., March 22, 2008, 8 pm, at Fais Do-Do, 5257 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90016. Suggested donation, $15 general, $12 students. Doors open at 7 pm for mixer, bar and Cajun cuisine. Seating limited. Ample street parking available, lot parking $5. Call 310.657.5511.

Donation, $15

Students, $12

Artist Bios

Roger Guenveur Smith and Mark Broyard will perform work from INSIDE THE CREOLE MAFIA, which was distinguished as last season's Production of the Year by the LA Weekly.  The "not-too-dark comedy" is co-authored by Broyard, who is also a painter and musician, and Smith, lifelong friends whose families first intersected in New Orleans' Seventh Ward, the birthplace of the mythic Mafia. With CREOLE MAFIA Broyard and Smith have engaged—and outraged—audiences   from coast to coast, winning hearts, minds, and the key to the  city of New Orleans. Read a Backstage review of Inside the Creole Mafia.

Roger Guenveur Smith adapted his Obie Award-winning solo  performance of A HUEY P. NEWTON STORY into a Peabody Award- winning telefilm. He was nominated for the SAG Award for his  work in AMERICAN GANGSTER. ICELAND, written, directed, and performed by Smith, plays Redcat 13-16 March.

Described as "a cross between Eminem and Woody Allen," (New York Times) Chutzpah—The World's First Ever Jewish Hip Hop Supergroup—is about to have their 2^nd CD Hip Hop Fantasy released on June 10, 2008, by JMG/Shout Factory Records. Their first release was "Eponymous" and their short film "Chutzpah, This Is?" has toured a dozen U.S. and international fim festivals.

Hip Hop Fantasy features special appearances by Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famers Grandmaster Melle Mel and Deborah Harry, Oscar winner Isaac Hayes, MC Chenjerai (Hypno) of the hit Hip Hop group The Spooks, Bishop Don "The Magic" Juan, actors Gary Oldman and George Segal, Israeli rapper Maya Rubin, Eshy, EtanG, MC Postel, JAQ, and others. The CD is fully loaded with 18 new tracks that cover subjects ranging from overcoming ethnic stereotypes to blazing a freedom trail for all disenfranchised peopleŠand there are also some really funny ones too. As Dave Chappelle famously said, "Jewish hip hop—who the f*** knew?" See chutzpahthegroup.com.

Darnise C. Martin holds a doctorate degree in Cultural and Historical Studies of Religion. She is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University, teaching courses in Theology and African American Studies.

Saree Makdisi is a professor of English and comparative literature at UCLA. A native of Beirut, he is the son of author Jean Said Makdisi and the nephew of Edward Said. He is a frequent op-ed contributor to the Los Angeles Times; his forthcoming book is Palestine Inside Out, An Everyday Occupation (Norton, May 2008).

Peter J. Harris has published his poetry, short fiction and personal essays since the 1970s. His work has often explored the lives of Black men. His personal essays about manhood and masculinity have been published in several anthologies, and he is the author of Johnson Chronicles: Truth & Tall Tales about My Penis. Visit inspirationcrib.com.

Rachel Kann, winner of a James Kirkwood Award in fiction, LA Weekly Award Winner and Backstage West Critic's Pick Garland Award, brings her performance poetry to stages as diverse as Disney Concert Hall, Royce Hall, and California Plaza, to name just a few. She also features at poetry landmarks like The Nuyorican Poets' Café, Beyond Baroque, and The Green Mill. Like all genre-tweaking geniuses, Rachel Kann's work adds a perspective to the aesthetic landscape we didn't even know was missing.  And like all great new artists, now that she¹s here she seems obvious, even essential.    -Kotori Magazine. Myspace.com/rachelkann.

Back in her native Winston-Salem, N.C., Nailah sang in coffeehouses and at weddings, yet never considered herself a professional singer. Taking the "safe" route, Nailah became a D.C. attorney and lobbyist for a law enforcement organization, helping to lay the foundation for the passage of the Brady Bill. Arriving in L.A., lucky breaks landed her at Def Jam West/PMP Records; the Def Jam experience led to Nailah recording/touring with several artists including Warren G and the G Funk Family, John Cale (co-founder of The Velvet Underground), Cree Summer, Masauko Chipembere, Rosey and Beck. She has written songs with noted jazz artists Tom Scott and Jeff Lorber ("Philly Style"), and her music has also been featured on the popular FX television show, "The Shield." Visit nailahmusic.com.

Bring your ideas, enthusiasm and support to the Center by participating in our Programming Committee, which cooperates with our Board of Directors in creating new arts programs in the months ahead. Visit our volunteer opportunities page. To get on the reservation list for the next meeting, email us now!

Levantine Center's Board of Directors is continually seeking to work with new volunteers who may be invited to join the board. We welcomes inquiries—we are actively searching for more people with our passion and conviction! Our core group of volunteers consists of diverse members of the community who are of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean heritage or who have a strong professional or artistic interest in furthering our mission. Our volunteers work on literary, film, fine art, music and educational programming.

Our Advisory Board is also in formation. Advisory board members are known professionally in their own communities and offer valuable counsel and services to the organization; they are eligible to attend the organization's annual retreat and receive other benefits.

Please contact us at 310.657.5511.

To join/support Levantine Cultural Center, simply go to our membership page and fill in the blanks, use your credit card, or print and mail in your check for $60 or $120 or $250 annual membership dues to: Levantine Center, 1012 S. Robertson Blvd., Suite C, Los Angeles CA 90035-1537.