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Middle East/Mediterranean Calendar for February/March 2003
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Feb. 19 (Thurs.), 7:30 p.m.—"Bought and Sold," a film by Michael Tolajian at the Pacific Design Center
A special screening for Levantine Cultural Center subscribers, sponsored by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Independent Feature Project Los Angeles (IFP/LA).
Set in the ethnic neighborhoods of Jersey City, Bought & Sold is an uplifting coming-of-age story about Ray Ray Morales, a 19-year-old Puerto Rican who fantasizes about buying the DJ’s turntable rig in the window of a local pawnshop. When Ray Ray takes a second job to finance his dream, he develops an unlikely friendship with Kutty, an Armenian immigrant, and it forces Ray Ray to make a choice about where his life and loyalties truly lie. The film’s writer/director, Michael Tolajian, has worked for over 10 years in the film and television industry and won numerous awards, including an Emmy Award as a producer on Whatever Happened to Michael Ray?
91 minutes/ produced by Bergen Swanson/ cast: Rafael Sardina, Marjan Neshat, Frank Harts, Joe Grifasi, David Margulies.
Free to Levantine Center members plus one guest each. Recommended arrival time 7:00 PM as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations.
The Pacific Design Center is located on the corner of Melrose Ave and San Vicente Blvd. Parking is offered at a reduced rate of $5; enter the Pacific Design Center lots from San Vicente Blvd. The SilverScreen Theater is located on the 2nd floor of the building’s green wing. SilverScreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.
Feb. 21 (Sat.), 7:30 p.m.—Levantine Cultural Center Gathering To Support LCC in '04
Founded in August 2001, Levantine Cultural Center created dozens of programs throughout 2002 and 2003. This evening's gathering is directed towards those who would like to get involved in the creation of programs and membership growth in 2004. Come and meet some of our artist members and organizers. Potluck. At the beautiful home of artist Huguette Calande in Venice. You must RSVP by calling 310.415.1971 or email us.
Feb. 21 (Sat.), 7:30 p.m.—"Project Misplaced, The Rise and Fall of Simon Ordoubadi," a different kind of art exhibit and book signing
"Project Misplaced, The Rise and Fall of Simon Ordoubadi," runs Feb. 21 to 28, opening reception and book siging, Sat., Feb. 21, 7 to 11 p.m. Articultural Gallery, Pacific Arts Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025. Phone: 310.481.9052. Gallery hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12-6 p.m.
"Project Misplaced" presents the public life of a fictitious first-generation Iranian immigrant, Soleyman (Simon) Ordoubadi. In search of a new identity and a foothold in U.S. society, Ordoubadi seeks fame, fortune and power by imitating the commercial self-promotion he sees all around him. The work of award-winning artist and designer Houman Mortazavi, Project Misplaced took shape as a series of newspaper advertisements, leaflets and posters published in the Iranian press in Los Angeles and posted throughout the city's Iranian neighborhoods in 2003.
"Project Misplaced" is a work about cultural and social displacement. Uprooted from their native society, immigrants must redefine their existence in a new environment governed by unfamiliar rules, laws and
standards. They are challenged to survive under incomprehensible social conditions that render the old measuring sticks useless. In a process that is sometimes tragic, sometimes comic, and always absurd,
displacement leads to misplacement. The exhibition is accompanied by a book, with essays by Jacki Lyden
(NPR), Tara Bahrampour (NY Times), Elham Gheytanchi (SMC) and the artist, as well as the full series of artworks.
Feb. 22 (Sun.), 4 p.m.—"Sacred Soul," Mystical Mysic of the Middle East Meets the African-American Tradition of SpiritualsPerformed by: The Yuval Ron Ensemble featuring Najwa Gibran and The Gwen Wyatt Chorale with a 40 piece African-American chorus directed by Ms. Gwen Wyatt. The Yuval Ron Ensemble is Maya Haddi - vocals, Najwa Gibran - vocals, Norik Manoukian - woodwinds, Jamie Papish - percussion, David Martinelli - percussion, Virginie Alumyan - kanoun, Carolyne Aycaguer-Ron - harmonium, keyboards, Yuval Ron - oud, saz. Guest dancers: Aziz, Maya Karasso.Guest MC: Titus Levi.
Location: Wilshire United Methodist Church at: 4350 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 (on the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Plymouth, next to the Wilshire Ebell Theater).
The Gwen Wyatt Chorale is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic choral group who has performed at the Mormon Tabernacle, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and in the projects of South Central. Singing uplifting African American folk spirituals in the time-honored
traditional way, the Chorale raise their voices in a cappella song, with choreographed movement to enhance the storytelling aspect of the music.
The Yuval Ron Ensemble unites the sacred musical traditions of Judaism, Sufism (Islamic mystical tradition) and the Christian Armenian Church into an unusual musical celebration. Bringing together artists from Arabic, Jewish and Christian ancestry the Yuval Ron Ensemble is
dedicated to fostering an understanding of Middle Eastern cultures and religions.
Admission: $10 tickets, pay at the door (cash only). Advance ticket sale via mail: Please mail a check payable to Yuval Ron Music, to: 3812 Carpenter Ave. Studio City, CA 91604.
Tickets purchased by mail will be held at Will Call at church entrance on the day of the show. For more info: Tel: 818.505.1355 or email here. For more info visit the Yuval Ron Ensemble web site.
March 1 (Mon.), 7;30 p.m.—Latif Bolat Ensemble: Healing Sounds of Ancient Turkey, a Night of Turkish Sufi Mystic Music, Poetry and Images
Concert 6:30PM: Lecture on Turkish Mystic tradition. UCLA Ackerman Union Grand Ballroom. Admission: $10 general/ $8 UCLA Students and Staff. Info: (310)753-6963 or email.
Mystic, Sufi musician and scholar Latif Bolat will visit University of California, Los Angeles as part of his world concert tour. This concert will present music, poetry, Sufi stories and images from the ancient land of Turkey. Latif Bolat plays Turkish Folk Music and devotional Sufi songs which are called Ilahi and
Nefes, from the Anatolian peninsula. The lyrics of Ilahis or Nefeses are taken largely from the great 13th century mystical poets Rumi and Yunus Emre. The program also includes Traditional Turkish
folk songs as well as ballads composed by Latif Bolat. Throughout the program, devotional poetry will be recited from 13th Century Sufi poets Yunus Emre and Rumi, and images of Turkish people and
scenery will be reflected on a screen.One of the most well-known Turkish musicians in the US, Bolat possesses a vast repertoire, ranging from Sufi devotional songs and Turkish Folk music to classical pieces. His mesmerizing performances draw on ancient texts and employ traditional instruments such as the baglama (long necked lute), oud and ney
flute. In addition to full schedule of concert, lecture and workshop engagements at universities and concert halls around the world, he has made many live audio and television appearances and composed soundtrack music for the PBS documentary: Mohammed: Legacy of a Prophet and George Lucas's "Young Indiana Jones."
March 6 (Sat.), 8 p.m.—"Arab-esque Dance Concert" with 50 dancers including Juliet Arroyo, Karim Chieick-Ali, Moti Buchbut, Ballet Magique, Deborah Greenfield, Zahra Zuhair, Charlotte Fry, Aleya, Rei Aoo, Licea Perea and Jenevieve.
Alex Theater, 216 North Brand Boulevard., Glendale, Ca CA 91203-2610. Tickets $50, $35, $25, $20, $15 (students). Info:818-243.2539. For complete ticket info visit the Arab-esque web site here.
Passion, drama, and style explode from the sights, sounds and rhythms of Arabic, Flamenco, Tango, Japanese, Lebanese, African, Egyptian, Ballet, Jazz, Martial Arts, and other ecletic, electric world music and dance adventures during this bold performance. Music from Natacha Atlas, Rashid Taha, Ojos de Brujo, and Clotaire K.
The Arab-esque Dance Concert is an exclusive show premiering at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, creating a new style of contemporary world dance inspired by new world music from Europe. Diaspora musicians are working together creating exciting new sounds that seamlessly blend strong musical traditions of the East and the West bringing music into the new century. This concert celebrates that music while bringing together a diverse group of established and emerging choreographers working together to define this theme alongside a talented cast of local dancers. With this effort, Los Angeles is poised to emerge as a new leader in world dance.
Visit the Arabesque web site.
March 7 (Sun.), 7 p.m.—"Bam Earthquake Benefit Concert" with the Lian Ensemble
Scottish Rite Theater, 4357 Wilshire Boulevard., Los Angeles, Ca 90010. Info: 310.477-8617
TICKETS: $100, $75, $50, $40, $30, $20. Tickets are available at: Music Box 310.473.3466,
Ketab Corp. 310.477.7477, Q Market 818.758-9995, Super Irvine 949.552.8844.
Lian Ensemble performs Persian spiritual/mystical music and features Houman Pourmehdi, Percussion; Mahshid Mirzadeh, Santur; Soleyman Vaseghi, Vocals; Behzad Behzadpour, Vocals; David Johnson, Marimba, Percussion; Randy Gloss, Percussion; and Pirayeh Pourafar, Tar.
Visit the Lian Ensemble web site.
March 8 (Mon.), 7:30 p.m.—"Syria" travel slideshow in "Distant Lands" series
Sam & Heidi Moore show slides of Syria’s astounding wealth of historical & cultural sites. RSVP.
Distant Lands, 56 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena.Free. 626.449-3220.
March 9 (Tues.), 5-7:00 p.m.—"Back From Iraq" with Sharif Ossayran
Sharif Ossayran shows slides & shares the experience of his January 2004 visit to Iraq.
Doheny Memorial Library, USC. Free. 213.740.2666
March 11 (Thurs.), 7:30 p.m.—"Uncovered: The Whole Truth About Iraq"
Iraq at Immanuel Presbyterian. Screening of “Uncovered: The Whole Truth About Iraq.” Free. Donations accepted. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd, LA. 213.383.7484. See the film's web site.
March 11 (Thurs.), 9:30-12:30 p.m.—Free TARA Pre-Party with "Hybridizing global club culture and exotic world rhythms"
Launch of new weekly world music club groove with a free pre-party at Sugar Club. Arab, Brazilian, African and Asian based dub, breakbeat, and drum n bass, along with occasional live dunbek, didgeridoo, sitar and tabla. The night is hosted alongside DJ Moksha (Joshua Jacobs of the Ambient Groove/Synaptic Fusion yoga parties), DJ Tree (of the famed Mystik Alchemy multimedia breakbeat parties), Regan Kibbee +
DJ Jason Saville (both from the QofV list and the upcoming yearly tropical fiesta - Piscean LoveFest), and Derek Rath (host of KPFK's world funk show "Cosmic Barrio" on Sunday afternoons). Great sound system, close to the beach, sake cocktails, tropical aquanauts, etc.
At Sugar Club, 814 Broadway at Lincoln in Santa Monica. Free before 10:30 p.m.
This is a party to launch a new series with opening night on March 18 and a special event on March 25. More info: http://www.taratribe.com or call 310.710.8613.
March 13 (Sat.), 7:30 p.m.—Egypt and Human Rights at Midnight Special
Amnesty International presents "Human Rights in the Middle East" with a video & panelists.
Midnight Special, 1450 2nd St, Santa Monica. Free. 310.393.2923.
March 16 (Tues.), 8 p.m.—Fès Festival of Sacred Music at UCLA's Royce Hall with Françoise Atlan, The Anointed Jackson Sisters, Hadra des Femmes de Taroudant
"Style, creed and era aside, the music presents itself with something that has almost disappeared from the arts. Humility before the power of God(s) inspiration and time. Even for skeptics, the music itself is something to believe in"
-The New York Times
Every spring, the ancient city of Fès, Morocco hosts one of the world’s great musical events, a Festival of World Sacred Music featuring an array of the most revered artists from around the globe representing myriad musical traditions. The spirit and essence of this Moroccan tradition comes to Los Angeles for the first time—don't miss it!
Tickets $45, $38, $28, $17 students. Levantine members/subscribers receilve a special 15% discount off all ticket prices, but you must receive a copy of our email newsletter for the secret access code to give to the box office. Send us a note to get the latest newsletter and your access code!
UCLA Royce Hall, Parking Structures 4 or 5. Info/tix: 310.825.2101.
Visit the UCLA Live web site for details.
March 20 (Sat.), 8 p.m.—"The Persians," a play by Aeschylus at Loyola Marymount
A unique performance of the ancient Greek play benefits the Center of Modern Greek Studies at Loyola. A reception will follow the performance. Presented by the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
and The Marymount Institute for Faith Culture and the Arts. Directed and Translated by Katharine B. Free.
Scenography and Costume Design by Jan Du¶ek. Lighting Design by Charles Erven. Original Score by John Bilezikjian. Choreography by Athan Karras. Dramaturgy by Matt Dillon. Assistant Direction by Katharine Noon
Strub Theatre (across from the church in the main LMU plaza of the Upper Campus) Loyola Marymount University, Lincoln Blvd and LMU Drive. Tickets $30 per person.
The theater is located near the main plaza of the LMU Upper Campus, across from the Chapel.
Enter LMU Drive from Lincoln Blvd and continue to the Upper Campus. Bear left when you reach the top. You will pass the Chapel on your left. Continue to the nearest available parking on your right. The theater is the large white building next to the parking lot.
For additional information call 310.215.3130.
March 20 (Sat.), 7:30 p.m.—Spring Concert of MESTO, conductor Nabil Azzam, vocalist Hamid, vocalist Anna Suzette, qanun virtuoso Lilit Khojayan and tar virtuoso Muhammad Omranifar
The Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra performs Arab and other Middle Eastern classical/contemporary music with a full orchestra and guest stars. These are always exciting, musically-stunning concerts led by Nazareth-born maestro Nabil Azzam, who also performs on violin and oud. MESTO focuses on fostering new genres of musical expressions that combine the essence of non-European traditions; namely, styles of music based on ethnic scales and rhythms.
For reservations, click here. For more info:310.383.3790
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, California 90278.
Tickets: $30, $20 and V.I.P. $100. Also Limited Seats (with discount) For StudentsDirections to Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center: From the 405 San Diego Freeway take the Inglewood Avenue exit. Head south on Inglewood Avenue. After a short distance (1 long major block) turn right onto Manhattan Beach Blvd. Proceed west on Manhattan Beach Blvd approximately one mile. The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in on the right at the intersection of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Aviation Blvd. The entrance is off of Manhattan Beach Blvd just before you reach Aviation Blvd.
For further info, visit the MESTO web site.
March 27 (Sat.), 7:30 p.m.—Levantine Dinner Party and Arts Salon Featuring Live Music with Saleem, Elias and Ghassan (Middle East) plus the Darvak Ensemble (Iran) and Lory Tatoulian standup comedy and poet Dima Hilal.
A dinner party and arts salon in support ofLevantine Cultural Center in the fabulous home of a celebrated Lebanese-born artist living in Venice. Delicious dinner, drinks and desserts and a who's who of creative contemporaries in the Middle Eastern-American and American arts community. Space limited. Minimum suggested donation $30, preferred donations include annual membership at $120, $60 per person (each one-year membership to Levantine Cultural Center includes free gifts such as books/CDs and complementary event tickets up to four times a year. Reservations 323.650.7010.
Special Announcements
Volunteer with Levantine Cultural Center's Programming Committee
Bring your ideas, enthusiasm and support to the Center by participating in a new Programming Committee, that will cooperate with our Board of Directors in creating new arts programs in the weeks and months ahead. To get on the reservation list for the next meeting, email us now!
Board of Directors Seeks Community LeadersLevantine 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 323.650.7010.
Submit your calendar listings to our calendar editor now.
To subscribe to our listserve and receive our special updates (which include free ticket giveaways, articles and more), send a message to: info@levantinecenter.org and include Subscribe Me in the subject box. Be sure to give us your first and last name and how you heard about us!To join/support Levantine Cultural Center, simply go to our signup page and fill in the blanks, print and mail; or send your check for $120 annual membership dues (that's just $10 per month! you'll receive many discounts and a pair of free tickets to an upcoming event, a minimum $40 value) to: Levantine Center, 8424A Santa Monica Blvd., N. 789, West Hollywood, CA 90069.
LEVANTINE CULTURAL CENTER
Cultures of the Middle East & Mediterranean
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 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.
See what Levantine Center was up to during our pre-opening season, late in '01.