Middle East/Mediterranean Calendar for December 2002

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


Dec. 5 (Thurs.), 7:30 pm—Ann Zwicker Kerr signs "Painting the Middle East: Contemporary Issues in the Middle East"

The author has traveled and painted extensively in the region. Her delicate watercolors depict the
beauty and peace that exist in a region despite violence and unrest. At Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore, Pacific Palisades, 310.454.4063



Dec. 7 (Sat.), 2:00 pm—"The Perfumes of Araby Dance Company presents Dance & Music of the Middle East"

This event, designed for teens to watch and learn Arab folk dance, is organized by the Los Angeles Public Library, Teen•scape, 5th & Flower, Downtown LA, 213.228.7510.


Dec. 8 (Sun.), 12-6:00 pm—Symposium on Israeli Theatre at UCLA

Symposium on Israeli Theater: Professors and performing artists from Tel Aviv University and UCLA discuss and demonstrate current trends in Israeli theater and music, incl. Hebrew, Yiddish, Palestinian, and fusion performances. Little Theater, Macgowan Hall, UCLA, 310.206.6853.


Dec. 14 (Sat.), 7:30 pm—"Children of Heaven," By Majid Majidi

A 1997 film by Persian director Majid Majidi, "Children of Heaven" screens in Farsi with English subtitles. Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro. For further information, call 310.548.7466 or click here. or go to the WarnerGrand site. Tickets: $7; $20 for four-film subscription.


Dec. 19 (Thurs.), 8:00 pm—Levantine BookGroup Discusses "I, the Divine "

The BookGroup meets again the third Thursday of the month, this time to talk about Rabih Alameddine's latest novel. Call 323.650.7010 if you'd like to RSVP, and see the BookGroup page for details.

The BookGroup is always free to the public. At the Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025, one half block west of Beverly Glen.


Dec. 21 (Sat.), 8:00 pm-midnight—Levantine Center Holiday Groove Party—Middle East DJs, Live Dancers, Mideast Buffet and More

To celebrate the end of its first season in Los Angeles, and offer a final opportunity this year for the many people on our list to meet and mingle, dance, drink, eat and celebrate, Levantine Cultural Center is hosting a music-driven holiday bash featuring the best in Middle Eastern/hip-hop dance music from DJ Assif and Saleem of 1001 Nights, with special guest dancers Feiruz Aram and Zari. Tickets are just $25 per person and include two drinks, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment! Expect special giveaways, a music/bookstore, bar and more. Any profits will benefit the cultural center, so come numerous, and don't hesitate, become a member now in 2002! Even if you can't make it, buy some tickets and donate them to friends! RSVP early to 323.650.7010.

At the Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025, one half block west of Beverly Glen.

Special Announcements

Arts-Oriented, Dynamic Conversational Levantine Arabic For Beginners Starts January 13, 2003

Learn beginning conversational Levantine Arabic three hours a week with Nezar Andary. Mondays, 7-10 pm, Jan. 13-March 17. 10 three-hour workshops, for just $100 per month ($300). Minimum of eight students, maximum of 18 allowed. Nezar Andary is a writer and translator who travels frequently back and forth to the Middle East. He has lived in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, and has written for a number of publications. He first began teaching Arabic as a student at Columbia University. Currently he is finishing his Ph.D. at UCLA, where his focus is Arabic and English literature, cultural studies, film and theatre. Nezar Andary will teach the class with a strong focus on music, theatre, and film. Register early by simply filling out our sign-up form and mentioning the "Levantine Arabic class" in one of the Other option boxes. For further info, call 323.650.7010.



Teen Artists Wanted By YouTHink.org

YOUR ART IN AN EXHIBIT! Come join other young people across southern California in a day of art and dialogue. youTHink, in partnership with the Levantine Cultural Center, will be conducting a 3.5-hour workshop entitled "Visions of Home." In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to discuss issues of culture and identity, create art projects representing your cultural heritage, and dialogue about how we can share our heritages with other people. This project is part of a large-scale celebration at Universal City Walk of the region's cultural diversity. This celebration will feature ten full-scale playhouses inspired by your artwork. To sign up for this workshop, please contact Michael deGuzman Nobleza, youTHink, at (323) 761-8914. You can also email Michael.

Watch for upcoming announcement about the orientation event at Levantine Cultural Center!

Board of Directors Meets Most Saturdays for Lunch at Mediterranean Café

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 address and time. 323.650.7010.

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LEVANTINE CULTURAL CENTER
Cultures of the Middle East & Mediterranean
10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90025 [facilities]
8424A Santa Monica Blvd., N.789, West Hollywood CA 90069 [office and mailing address]
323.650.7010, info@levantinecenter.org

Levantine Center advocates for, educates about, and in general promotes and supports Middle Eastern and Mediterranean contemporary arts and traditional cultures. We present or cosponsor programs of music, literature, art, film/video, publications, new media and more, often from educational and historical perspectives. While acknowledging the value of entertainment, we emphasize scholarship and substance. We are strongly multidisciplinary and non-sectarian, do not embrace any political or religious doctrine, and are committed to the principle of cross-cultural cooperation. We support the strengthening of ties between all cultural, ethnic and religious communities of the Middle East/West Asia/Levant, as well as between all peoples of Middle Eastern descent in diaspora.

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

Feb 2002	March 2002	April 2002
May/June 2002	July 2002	August 2002
September 2002	October 2002	November 2002

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