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Middle East/Mediterranean Calendar for April 2003
[To learn about getting events listed, email the Calendar Editor. Send all photos as small jpegs or gifs to Photos.]
March 29 (Sat.), 11:00 p.m.-3 a.m.—An Evening of Arab, Indian and African Music with Cheb i Sabbah at Electric Lotus
The master of the indo-electro scene comes back to Los Angeles in two weeks
to spin his "Outernational mix" of Arabian-African-Asian club tracks. Algeria-born, San Francisco-based DJ Cheb i Sabbah, melds classic Hindustani ragas with sequencing and sampling in his productions and remixes. His last CD, Krishna Lila , was an excursion into bhajans, the devotional music of India.
Opening the show at 11pm will be Janaka of Dhamaal Soundsytem (a collective of djs, musicians and artists that lay down a monthly in SF, where Indian rhythms meet drum n bass + breakbeats). The hop frog collectiv will showcase some home grown midi-eastern sounds during dining.
Featuring: dj Cheb i Sabbah (1002 Nights, SF, 6 Degrees), Janaka (Dhamaal Soundsystem, SF), Hop-Frog Collektiv during the dinner set.
4656 Franklin Ave (at Vermont), Los Feliz.
March 30 (Sun.), 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.—"Fire Within," Film and Photography at University of Judaism
Fire Within Exhibits Hope for Peace in the Middle East—a new film and photography exhibit explores issues of tolerance and friendship between a group of young Israeli rab Muslims, Israeli Jews and American Jews.
The University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive (& the 405 Freeway), Los Angeles 90077. Call
(310) 476-9777for info. Free event, donations welcome.
April 1 (Tues.), 5:00-7 p.m.—"The Black Panthers (of Israel) Speak," A Documentary by Sami Shalom Chetrit and Elie Hamo, Follorwed by a Discussion With Sami Shalom Chetrit, at UCLA's Royce Hall 314
The uprising of the Black Panthers in the early 1970s had a radical effect on Israeli society. It signaled an awakening of Mizrahi cultural consciousness that continues to this day. The movement took the Mizrahi class struggle out of its local and nationalist Jewish framework, linking it to the civil rights struggle in the United States, Third World Marxism, and, for the first time, to the Palestinian struggle in Israel.
In this film, key leaders in the movement speak of the Mizrahi struggle in the 1970s and now, of the tragic role played by Shas in quelling that struggle, of the relationship between the occupation and oppression of the Palestinians, and the social and cultural oppression of the Mizrahim.
In Hebrew, with English subtitles. (Israel, 2003, 53 min., Beta SP).
Enter from Hilgard, free to the public, parking $7.
April 4 (Fri.), 7 pm—World Premiere screening of "The Hittites," Tolga Örnek's new feature-length
documentary film about the ancient Hittite civilization of eastern Turkey, narrated by Academy Award® winner Jeremy Irons.
"The Hittites," chronicles this incredibly advanced culture that once decimated the armies of Egypt's King Ramses II, and features 23,000 historically accurate handmade props and sets, including a miniature
scale model of the ancient Hittite city; full-scale working battle chariots; and replicas of period statuary, pottery, armor, costumes and weaponry. More than 100 days of principal photography took place in 31 locations in Asia, Europe and Africa including Syria, Turkey and Egypt. The entire feature was shot on Super 35mm film. Motion control cameras and high-tech computer graphics were used to recreate the daily life of the Hittites, the most powerful people in the Near and Middle East of their time.
Free to the public! 7:00-9:00pm, screening, 9:00-11:00 pm, reception in the Academy lobby. Please arrive early, as the Academy now requires metal detector screening of all who enter the facility. Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
RSVP BY FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2003. Via email: screening@hankwitz.com, Via telephone: (818) 817-9693.There will also be a VIP reception at 5:00pm hosted by Tolga Örnek (the only Turkish member of the IDA) and Digital Ranch Productions. The cost to attend the reception is $95 per person. Please deliver your check or money order no later than March 28 payable to: Digital Ranch, 14110 Riverside Drive , Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. (You must pre-pay if you wish to attend the VIP reception: no money will be taken at the door.) There is no charge for the screening itself, but you must RSVP in advance in order to attend.
April 6 (Sun.), 7 p.m—Yair Dalal, Iraqi/Israeli Oud, Violin and Vocals Live in Concert
Yair Dalal, composer and performer of "Perfume Road," "Al Ol" and other recordings of Indian and Israeli-inflected Arab music, is back in Los Angeles for an exclusive concert at Kahal Joseph Congregation, the city's unique Iraqi kehila, at 10505 Santa Monica Blvd., one block west of Beverly Glen at Thayer Ave, L.A. 90025.
Dalal is a formidable oudist in the Iraqi style, as well as a virtuoso violinist. A master on the world music scene, he has played and studied with Bedouin and Arab musicians in the Middle East, Europe and the United States, and his songs are haunting and often spiritual in nature. He was last seen at the Armand Hammer's summer concert series. This concert is not to be missed; tickets are just $20 and $25. Call Melanie at 310.474.0559 for info and reservations. Click here for more about Yair Dalal.
April (Mondays), 7 pm, New Season of Beginning/Intermediate Levantine Conversational Arabic Begins, at Levantine Cultural Center
Learn beginning/beginning-intermediate conversational Levantine Arabic in 18 classes totalling 36 hours. These classes are fun, motivating and enjoyable.
Says one student of this class, "I thoroughly enjoy the class and would love to continue. Nezar encourages us constantly, makes us feel comfortable so it is easy to participate. You feel satisfied with your accomplish-ments." Adds another student in the first 2003 semester, "Nezar is well-prepared, prompt and always patient. I enjoy his wide-ranging knowledge of the different Arabic dialects and social customs, and his sense of humor."
Mondays and some Wednesday evenings, 7-10, or 7:30 to 9 pm, starting April 21:
• 18 intensive workshops
• Tuition just $300 (book and tapes not included) and no parking fees
• Small class size (15 students or less) allows for more personalized instruction
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 teaches the class with a strong focus on art, music, theatre, travel and film.
Register now by calling for a form by fax, or click here to download the form. Call 323.650.7010.
April 19 (Sat.), 3 pm—"Turkey, East or West," An Exclusive Screening of Binnur Karaevli's "Searching for Paradise" followed by a Public Dialogue and Open-Bar Reception at LACMA's Bing Theatre
Poised at the edge of the Levant and Europe simultaneously, Turkey has been in the news again lately not only because of its drive to become a member of the European Union, but because the U.S. requested Turkey's assent in its proposed war on Iraq. Join a large turn-out for this timely and stimulating event followed by a reception. A film screening and public dialogue, featuring the award-winning documentary by Binnur Karaevli, "Searching for Paradise," along with special guest speakers Alev Lytle Croutier, Gabriael Piterberg and moderator Gloria Goodale, with celebrity host TBA.
At LACMA's Bing Auditorium. Organized by Levantine Cultural Center in cooperation with G.R.I.T. (Girls Reeling It Together), with special support from Kaya & Mary Tuncer of the Global Friendship Through Space Education.
At Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Bing Theatre, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. Tickets $6.
To RSVP, call 323.650.7010. For more details, visit the Turkey, East or West page.
Apri 24 (Thurs.), 8 pm—Levantine BookGroup Reads Crescent, the new novel by Diana Abu-jaber.
Join the Levantine BookGroup when we discuss Diana Abu-Jaber's new novel, Crescent (W.W. Norton, April 2003). Copies are in stores now.
"—An Iraqi love feast spiced with despair; a culinary romance set in a Middle Eastern cafe..."
The story takes place in Los Angeles, but like the rest of us at the moment, every character is fixated on the Middle East.
Read a review by Ron Charles in the Christian Science Monitor
Read more about Diana Abu-Jaber.
Check out a Q & A.
Go to our BookGroup page.
RSVP for the BookGroup: 323.650.7010.
We meet from 8-9:30 pm at the Levantine Cultural Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025. Street parking.
Diana Abu-Jaber appears at the Center on Wednesday, May 7, 8:30 pm, for a reading and booksigning.
And Save the Date...
May 17 (Sat.)., 8 pm—From Uzbekistan to Morocco, Dance of the Islamic World. Featuring Robyn Friend, Helene Eriksen, Neil Seigel and guest percussionists. At Levantine Cultural Center.
June 28/29 (Sat./Sun.) Middle East Arts Festival. Live music, dance, readings and more activities TBA.
Special Announcements
Learn Levantine Arabic at Levantine Cultural Center!
We currently offer a beginning conversational Levantine Arabic (spoken in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan) class, through March 31. Beginning in April, we'll offer both the beginning conversational Levantine Arabic class, and a beginning/intermediate level, both taught by Nezar Andary, an excellent instructor who has lived in Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Students love this class! All classes take place at the center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90069.
Watch for upcoming announcement about the orientation event at Levantine Cultural Center!
Board of Directors Meets Most Saturdays for LunchLevantine 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.
See what Levantine Center was up to during our pre-opening season, late in '01.