To inquire about getting events listed, email the Calendar Editor. [Send all photos as small jpegs or gifs.] To learn about previous events, scroll to bottom of the page. All programs free unless otherwise noted.


"Sleeper Cell on Showtime"

"Stunning new fall drama series," says Newsday. The New York Times called "Sleeper Cell" better than "24."

Is the new Showtime series about Al Qaeda sleeper cells in the U.S. worth a look? You tell us. Visit the Sleeper Cell web site, tune in to upcoming episodes, and let us know what you think.


Thursdays to Dec. 15—"What I Heard About Iraq" at the Fountain Theatre

This play has received laudatory reviews across the spectrum. See reviews online. "What I Heard About Iraq (A Cry for 5 Voices" is an anti-war play, adapted from an article by Eliot Weinberger by Simon Levy and directed by Levy. This world premiere is said to be "a moving and galvanizing multimedia theatre piece about the war in Iraq."

Wrote F. Kathleen Foley in the Los Angeles Times: "Levy's razor-sharp staging features superb production elements [with a] keenly calibrated ensemble... Levy is clearly a man on a mission, and his passionately antiwar play is unapologetically biased. But, then, the sheer aggregate of disaster in Iraq, recapitulated here, makes a compelling case against a mounting misadventure that President Bush labeled, with no conscious irony, a 'catastrophic success.'... AN OFTEN STUNNING DISTILLATION OF AMERICAN HUBRIS AND DENIAL, 'WHAT I HEARD ABOUT IRAQ' SHOULD BE VIEWED WITH AN OPEN MIND, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION."

Jerry Jackson, MetroLA, said: "The writing, direction and performance levels are uniformly top notch...... You can't sit through this compelling evening without being moved, angered, and hopefully charged to take some individual action."

With special post-performance discussions after every show.

Fountain Theatre. 5060 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles . Fri/Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Tix $15.00 to $25.00. Box office and group sales, 323.663.1525. Directions.


Dec. 7 (Wed.), 7 pm—"Thieves of Baghdad" at the Hammer

Matthew Bogdanos at the Hammer. The Marine colonel andNYC homicide prosecutor reads from "Thieves of Baghdad" about his investigation of the looting of the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad. UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire, Westwood. 310.443.7000.


Dec. 11 (Sun.), 2-4 pm—"Café Connection," A Multi-Media Workshop on East/West Jerusalem with artist Azriel Cohen cosponsored by the Folk and Craft Art Museum & Levantine Cultural Center

Café Connection is a multi-media exhibition including paintings, music and storytelling that creates an intimate encounter with Jerusalem's Israeli (West) and Palestinian (East) cultures. Artist Azriel Cohen began to work in Jerusalem's café houses at a time when the city was filled with tension and fear. First he painted west Jerusalem (Israeli, where he lived). He then crossed to the other side of the city, something rarely done since the construction of the dividing wall, and painted east Jerusalem.

The result of that journey is the installation Café Connection.The artist explored and recorded daily life of regular people on both sides of the city through paintings. He spoke with café owners and clientele. These original images, created in miniature, were enlarged using digital technology and displayed along with texts of interviews with the owners of the cafes. The exhibition has been shown in Israel, England and Hungary and has drawn significant media attention.

Azriel Cohen is a visual artist who develops innovative ways to bridge between different cultures. He has an undergraduate degree in psychology, an M.F.A. in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts, New York City and diplomas in conflict resolution theory. In 1997, he founded the Ohr Olam Project (www.ohrolam.org), a program for Jewish travelers in India. He co-founded Peace Begins With Myself, a program that brought Israelis and Palestinians to Thich Naht Hanh’s Plum Village in France and he is active in several grassroots initiatives that bridge between Jews and Arabs in Israel.

On Sunday, December 11, from 2-4 pm, Café Connection will feature 12 works on canvas along with texts from interviews. Azriel Cohen will recount stories about life in Palestinian and Israeli cafés in east and west Jerusalem.

Cosponsored by the Folk and Craft Art Museum at Levantine Cultural Center, 5920 Blackwelder Street, Culver City 90232 (closest major cross-streets are La Cienega Blvd. and Washington Blvd.). RSVPs strongly suggested as seating is limited. Suggested donation $5. To RSVP call 310.559.5544 or email info@levantinecenter.org with the names of each guest.

Through Dec. 11 (Fri/Sat/Sun) 8 pm/2 pm matinee—Yussef El Guindi's "Acts of Desire" at the Fountain Theatre

Two beautiful, evocative one-acts from Egyptian/American playwright, Yussef El Guindi. The first play, "Karima's City," traces the haunting journey of an urban Muslim woman as she wanders through her unnamed city, the familiar trees evaporating before her eyes. The second play, "Such a Beautiful Voice has Sayeda," is the tale of a lonely young Muslim wife who is suddenly given the gift to sing. These plays give us a glimpse into the world of contemporary Muslim women.

Features Mueen Jahan Ahmad, Naila Azad, Marc Casabani, Kamal Marayati, Grace Nassar, Navid Negahban, Sarah Ripard, and Marisa Vural. Directed by Deborah Lawler, with music by Alfred Madain.

Fountain Theatre. 5060 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles . Fri/Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Tix $15.00 to $25.00. Box office and group sales, 323.663.1525. Directions.


Now Playing—"Private" Starring Mohammad Bakri

Inspired by real events, documentary filmmaker Saverio Costanzo's feature debut is a minimalist psychological drama about a Palestinian family of seven suddenly confronted with a volatile situation in their home that in many ways reflects the larger ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. "Acted with fierce conviction" wrote the Village Voice. "Powerful. An emotionally-gripping drama" wrote Variety.

Mohammad, his wife and their five children live in a large, isolated house located halfway between a Palestinian village and an Israeli settlement. The house, in the crossfire of the two sides, is a strategic lookout point that the Israeli army decides to seize, confining the family to a few downstairs rooms in daytime and a single room at night. Mohammad refuses to leave his home and, reinforced by his principles against violence, decides to find a way to keep his family together in the house until the Israeli soldiers move on.

Winner of a Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, PRIVATE is convincingly shot in a documentary style with a hand-held camera and a quick pace. Director Costanzo has created a unique occasion for both Israeli and Palestinian actors to work together, and being an outsider himself, he has worked to maintain a neutral standpoint while dramatizing the conflict.

Playing at Laemmele's Fairfax and Pasadena theatres, and at Edwards in Irvine.


Dec. 16-18 (Fri/Sat/Sun), 8:30/7:30 pm—Vashti World Percussion Concert at Electric Lodge

VASHTI World Percussion Ensemble performs "A Winter Solstice Offering for Peace" with Brahim Fribgane (Morocco) Dumbek, Bendir, 'Ud, Qarqarba, Vocal Randy Gloss (USA) Frame drums, Riq, Pandeiro, Kanjira, Hand Percussion Munyungo Jackson (USA ) Congas, Shekere, Surdo, Talking Drum, Marimbula, Udu Hand Percussion, Cajon Houman Pourmehdi (Iran) Tonbak, Daf, Cajon, Ney, Vocal Poovalur Sriji (India) Mridangam, Kanjira, Percussion Adam Rudolph (USA) Handrumset, Udu, Kalimba, Bendir, Cajon With speical guest Noureddine El-Warari – projected images.

Fri., Dec. 16th 8:30 pm/Sat Dec 17th 8:30 PM/Sun., Dec. 18th 7:30 PM @ Electric Lodge, Venice, CA. $20 1416 Electric Ave. (1 blk. east of Abbot Kinney, south of California); Please park in free on-site lot. Tickets on sale an hour prior to show only (no advance sales/reservations). Info 310.823.0710.


Dec. 20 (Tues), 9:00 pm sharp—Zéra Vaughan World Music Concert at Temple Bar

Tunisian vocal artist Zéra Vaughan performs live at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica, featuring Amir Efrat, keyboards, Giusepe Patane, bass, Peter Lobo, drums, ahu Canseven, percussion, Masa Hama, guitar, Sirsa Shekim, vocals and special guest Fred Selden, ethnic flutes.

"Back to the Roots" is Zera's new CD which includes 14 tracks, fusing the spices of the Middle East with European cabaret and pop. Zéra Vaughan sings mainly in French and English, but also in Hebrew and Arabic. She lives between Paris and Los Angeles. For Zéra Vaughan music and photos click here.

Cover $5. Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd. at 11th St., Santa Monica 90401. Info 310.393.6611.


Dec. 31 (Sat), 9 pm—Beirut Times's New Year's Eve Celebration

The Beirut Times presents its New Year's Eve celebration at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017. The evening features "the best international music with DJ and Singer Sami. Lots of photos, free Arabic CDs and live entertainment, raffle drawing, party favors and suprises." Read all the details online. For Sponsorship (business or individual) and for any additional information contact 323.978.8888 or send your email to: newyear@beiruttimes.net.


Dec. 31 (Sat.), 10 pm—Club LaZeez Fêtes the New Year in Middle East Style

Bring in 2006 dancing to the hottest remixes of Middle Eastern, Arabic, Latin, Armenian, Indian , and World Dj music. Middle Eastern Appetizers "Spectacular Belly dance show" Non stop dance DJ music with the best in town .

Cover only $15. At the Stone Bar, 5221 Hollywood Blvd (between Western and Normandie), Hollywood 90027. Important information about parking: There is street parking nearby, but if you can't find a spot please be aware ..there are 2 valet parking 2 blocks from the club: 1. At the Jumbo Clown Room 5153 Hollywood , just across the street from Panos Bakery, east of the Stone Bar. 2. At the Thai shopping center, Hollywood and Hobart Ave, just 1 block west of the Stone Bar. Early arrival recommended. Info 323.933.9214 ext . 2. Or email Saleem.


Volunteer with Levantine Cultural Center's Programming Committee

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!


Board of Directors Seeks Community Leaders

Levantine Center's Board of Directors is continually 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.

Please contact us at 310.559.5544.

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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, 5920 Blackwelder Street, Culver City CA 90232.

LEVANTINE CULTURAL CENTER
Cultures of the Middle East & Mediterranean
5920 Blackwelder Street, Culver City, CA. 90232
310.559.5544, info@levantinecenter.org

Levantine Cultural Center, founded in 2001 as a not-for-profit arts organization, 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.

 
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