A 9/11 Gallery

Feb. 8 (Fri), 8 pm—Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble and Zvartnots Armenian Folk Dancers at Cal State Fullerton

Beautiful costumes and high-energy mark the Zvartnots Armenian Folk Dancers in an inspiring showcase of music and dance. Then John Chookasian leads the Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble in a rich repertoire drawn from Western Armenian folk tunes, Eastern Armenian ballads, religious and patriotic songs filled with haunting laments and humorous tunes. Traditional Armenian instruments, such as the duduk , kanun (lap harp), oud (lute) and kemenche (folk violin), mark these passionate musicians' engaging and enlightening performance. Recipients of the 1999 Republic of Armenia National Gold Medal Award & 2006 Independent Music Award Winner for Best Traditional World Music Album. (World Music festival).

Meng Concert Hall, CSUF Performing Arts Center, 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton · CA 92831. Map
Tickets: $10 Buy tix.

Feb 9 & 10 (Sat/Sun), 8 pm/7 pm—World Music Concert, Kurdish Music of Iran with Maestro Ali Akbar Moradi

Kurdish master tanbur player and vocalist Ali Akbar Moradi returns to Southern California, with a concert on Sat., Feb. 9 in Irvine, Orange County, and a concert in Los Angeles at Zipper Hall.

Appearing with him are Mani Bolouri on kamancheh; Arash Moradi on tanbur and setar; Ulas Ozdemir on baglama and vocals; and Kouroush Moradi on tanbur and percussion.

Ali Akbar Moradi, (1957- ), is a well known Kurdish Iranian musician and composer. He was born in Kermanshah in western Iran. He started music at a very early age, and learned the Kurdish maqam repertoire and tanbur (Kurdish lute) under the supervision of Kurdish masters such as Mirza Sayyed Ali Kafashyan, Kaki Allah Morad Hamidi and Sayyed Vali Hosseyni. He gave his first recital in 1971 in Kermanshah. In 1981, he began collaborating with singer Shahram Nazeri, and performed throughout Europe and North America. He is an expert on the tanbur, which is considered sacred in Kurdish Sufi music. He has performed music in New York, San Francisco and London.

Moradi has appeared on several recordings, including 2004's memorable recording In The Mirror Of The Sky, with Kayhan Kalhor.

On Sat., Feb. 9, 8 pm, he'll perform in Orange County at Concordia University Irvine, in the CU Center, 1350 Concordia West, Irvine CA 92612. For tix/info call 949.433.5162.

On Sun. Feb. 10, 7 pm, the group appears at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles (directly across from Disney Hall), 200 S. Grand. Ave, Los Angeles CA 90012. Tix/info 949.433.5162.

Tix range $50, $40, $30 and $15 for students with valid i.d. Obtain tix in Los Angeles at Sherkatkabab and Music Box (Westwood) and at Wholesome Choice, Super Irvine and most Persian markets in Orange County.

Feb 10 (Sun), 7 pm—A Sufi Celebration, "The Hidden Angles of Life," at USC's Bovard

Returning to Los Angeles for the second annual event, MTO Sufi Association is presenting "Sufi Celebration"
at the USC Bovard Auditorium. This year's program, "The Hidden Angles of Life" features the exuberant and uplifting Sufi chanting called Zikr, demonstrations of Movazeneh—the practice of harmonizing and balancing the body, as well as captivating speeches on Sufism and its manifestations in the arts and sciences, and inspiring poetry renderings. The night tops off with gourmet appetizers, pastries, and refreshments amid the festive informal reception in the lobby.

Using both traditional and modern instruments such as the tar, setar, guitar, keyboard, daf, and tombak, the students of MTO Sufi Association have achieved an enchanting unique fusion of musical styles to accompany the Sufi chanting or Zikr.

The results of Sufism are found in some of the world's greatest literature and mystical love poetry, numerous artistic creations, and scientific discoveries. Rumi, the most renowned Sufi of all time, is well known in the West and has been the best-selling poet in the United States over the past decade. Sufism is not a historical relic, but a living reality attainable in contemporary everyday life, beyond any boundaries of gender, race, culture, religion or economics. It teaches one to move beyond societies' seemingly insurmountable stresses.

For more information and tickets, including group discounts, call 310.529-5389, email, or visit the Sufi Association web site.

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.