Middle East/Mediterranean Calendar for August 2002

[To learn about getting events listed, email the Calendar Editor. Send all photos as small jpegs or gifs to Photos.]



August 17 (Sat.), 6:00 pm—Central Asian Festival, with Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble, Axiom of Choice, Pejman Hadadi and Shabaz at Grand Performances' California Plaza

This promises to be one of the best concert evenings of the summer. "Near Eastern art music" is how the local Axiom of Choice describes their music. The group features the excellent Persian vocalist Mamak Khadem. Omar Faruk Tekbilek infuses Sufi spirituality with his haunting vocals and multi-instrumentation in the Turkish style, with Egytpian influences (check his latest recording, the excellent Alif). Pejman Hadadi is one of the busiest Persian percussionists now based in the U.S. The San Francisco-based Shabaz rounds out the evening with its "sound for the 21st century," relying on traditional Qawwali but also blending in other genres (dub, reggae, electronica, North and West African rhythms, dance music, western rock). This concert is free to the public. For parking and other info, click here.


August 17 (Sat.), 8:00 pm—Persian folksinger and instrumentalis Faramarz Aslani, with Mitra and Rama of Two Worlds, Wilshire Ebell Theatre

Persian vocalist and flamenco guitarist Faramarz Aslani's "Occupation of the Heart" is a perennial classic. Aslani performs new and enduring songs. Iranian American vocalist Mitra opens with the guitar duo Two Worlds led by Rama Morovati. Reservations and info: 818.222.9779 or 818.266.8777. Concert begins at 8pm sharp. Organizers encourage early ticket purchase as all seats are numbered. Ticket Prices: $65, $55, $45, $35 and $25.



August 22 (Thurs.), 8:00 pm, Levantine BookGroup Reconvenes to discuss Ghassan Kanafani's classic Men in the Sun

The BookGroup, originally launched last fall, begins the new season reading a classic of Palestinian literature, the novella by poet and fiction writer Ghassan Kafanani. Men in the Sun recounts the journey of a group of Palestinian immigrants escaping to Kuwait in a water tank. The book also contains several compelling short stories, such as "Letter From Gaza," which is still relevant today. Kanafani inspired an entire generation of Arab poets and fiction writers and he continues to be revered by contemporary Palestinians. The BookGroup is always FREE TO THE PUBLIC and takes place every third Thursday of the month at the just-opened Pacific Arts Center, located at 10469 Santa Monica Blvd, a half-block west of Beverly Glen Blvd., just east of Overland in Century City. For a biographical sketch of Kanafani, click here. The BookGroup is co-chaired by Nezar Andary and Rheim Alkadhi. Purchase Men in the Sun from your local indie bookstore or online from Barnes and Nobles. BookGroup cosponsored by Al Jadid Magazine.



August 28 (Wed.), 8:30 pm—Arab Women Poets With Nathalie Handal, Dima Hilal, Deema Shehabi, Back in L.A. at World Stage!

The editor of the anthology The Poetry of Arab Women, Nathalie Handal, will return to L.A. and read with poets Dima Hilal and Deema Shehabi at the World Stage, premiere literature & music performance gallery in LA's African American community, located in Leimert Park, at 4344 Degnan Boulevard.



August 29 (Thurs.), 7:30/8:00 pm, Levantine Cultural Center's New ArtSalon Presents "New Visions of Art and Islam," An Evening of Creative Exploration

Artist and scholar Doris Bittar will present a new multimedia talk on Islamic art which dispells some familiar, if faulty notions, while taking us in new directions. Click here to learn more about the presentation!

Levantine Cultural Center's new literary/arts series, ArtSalon, now meets every fourth Thursday of the month, beginning August 29, always with a multimedia program—a visiting author, a controversial topic, an artist, a staged play reading, and always invites audience participation. Save the dates of Sept. 26 and Oct. 24 for upcoming salons. Cash bar/bookstore opens at 7:30, program starts at 8 pm. Levantine's ArtSalon is $5 for the general public and free to our members. It takes place in the garden and studio of the just-opened Pacific Arts Center, located at 10469 Santa Monica Blvd, a half-block west of Beverly Glen Blvd., just east of Overland in Century City. ArtSalon is co-chaired by Jawad Ali and Jordan Elgrably, and cosponsored by Pacific Arts Center. Space is limited, and we encourage you to RSVP now: 323.650.7010.



Board of Directors Meets Most Sundays for Brunch—Call For Next Meeting

Levantine Center's Board of Directors is currently in formation, and welcomes inquiries—we are actively searching for more people with our passion and conviction! The board 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. As directors, board members represent the organization officially, are responsible for its financial health, and make the priority strategic decisions, with counsel from Advisory Board members where possible. Board members work with activists heading specific committes, including the Film/Video, Literary, Education Performing Arts and Membership Committees.

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.

To attend, you must RSVP for location and time. 323.650.7010.

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LEVANTINE CULTURAL CENTER
Cultures of the Middle East & Mediterranean 2002
8424A Santa Monica Blvd., N.789, West Hollywood CA 90069
323.650.7010, info@levantinecenter.org

Levantine Center advocates for, educates about, and in general promotes and supports Middle Eastern and Mediterranean arts and cultures. The Center exists to present music, literature, art, film/video, new media and history through education, scholarship and entertainment. We are strongly committed to the principle of cross-cultural cooperation, and support the strengthening of ties between all cultural, ethnic and religious communities of the Middle East/Levant as well as between all peoples of Middle Eastern descent.

 
See what Levantine Center has been up to and take note of other recent cultural events.

Feb 2022	March 2002	April 2002
May/June 2002	July 2002	August 2002

See what Levantine Center was up to during our pre-opening season.