Middle East/Mediterranean Calendar for November 2002

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

November "A 9/11 Gallery" Continues Online at LevantineCenter.org.

A new online exhibit commemorating the events of 9/11 from the perspective of artists, poets, writers and photographers is on view now. This sample work is by Douglas Fishbone. Other artists include Frank Shifreen, Loretta Ayeroff, Doris Bittar, Meira Yedidsion and Karenska Oslobod. Drama by Shahid Nadeem, poetry by Murat Nemet-Nejat and much more. Please return to view "A 9/11 Gallery" often, and tell your friends.



Nov 2 (Sat.), 7:30 pm—Rabbi Bob Alper and Ahmed Ahmed Do Stand-Up Comedy on Muslims, Jews and the Middle East

Billed as "Building Bridges with Laughter" by the Iman Center in Palms, this is comedy that offers "One Muslim. One Jew. One Stage.Two Very Funny Guys." Organizers describe it further as "an evening of non-political laughter." Alper bills himself as ³The world¹s only practicing clergyman doing stand-up comedyŠintentionally.² Alper performs all across North America, and has appeared in London.

Egyptian-born,California-raised, Ahmed Ahmed was a guest on ABC¹s The View, and was the subject of a front-page Wall Street Journal article, and appeared in a recent Newsweek. He performs regularly at The Comedy Store and headlines nationally. This unique comedy pair has appeared on CNN¹s ³American Morning,² MSNBC, the BBC,and NPR. They were featured in the Los Angeles Times and other publications. Sat., Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. at the Iman Cultural Center (Iranian Muslim Association of North America), 3376 Motor Avenue, L.A. 90034 (2 minutes from the Overland exit of the 10 Freeway). Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Open Seating. Available through Iman Cultural Center 310-202-8181.



Nov. 2 (Sat.), 7:30 pm—Ziba Shirazi Live in Concert at the Wilshire Ebell

This native of Tehran exudes a powerful stage presence, imbuing her original songs with the passion of Joan Baez and the longing of Mercedes Sosa—in Farsi. Ziba Shirabi's latest recording is "Lost Dreams." Find out why at the Wilshire Ebell Theater. Tickets $35, $25, are available at Alef Market, Ani Market, Q Market, Super Irvine, Music Box (Westwood) or online (click here). Info: 310.445.1558 or visit Ziba Shirazi's web site.

Levantine Cultural Center has THREE (3) pairs of tickets to see Ziba Shirazi for new member subscribers. To join now, just click on the sign-up page, fill out the form and mail it in with your check—you'll receive not only a year of great cultural arts programs by us, but free tickets to see Ziba AND an annual subscription to Al Jadid Magazine. Better yet, call us and say "I support Levantine Center, and I'd like to go to this concert as a new member—sign me up today!"


Nov. 6 (Wed.), 7:30 pm—Exclusive "America So Beautiful" Screening, Followed by Reception

Babak Shokrian's story of a group of young Iranian immigrants in Los Angeles, trying to find their way in America at the beginning of the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. One of the young men believes that his ticket out of his uncle's market is to become partners in a glitzy disco--if he could only come up with the money. As he struggles to get his cousins to invest in his dream, he decides to show them a night at the club. His quest to assimilate becomes a moving search for identity, culture and deep exploration into the American Dream.

Levantine Cultural Center and B Good Films invite you to an exclusive screening of AMERICA SO BEAUTIFUL, a feature film by Babak Shokrian. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6TH, 2002 at 7:30pm The American Cinematheque at the  EGYPTIAN 6712 Hollywood Blvd. (between McCadden Pl. & Las Palmas Ave.) Reception Following the screening at the PIG N' WHISTLE, 6714 Hollywood Blvd. RSVP Dominion3 Public Relations, 323.466.3393.

Read more about the film. Read about the filmmaker.



Nov. 8 (Fri.), 7:00-10:00 pm—Kasra, Reception for the Artist

Kasra is an Iranian-born artist who lived in Europe until last year. This is Kasra's first exhibit in the U.S. At Pacific Arts Center, 10459 Santa Monica Blvd., just west of Beverly Glen Blvd. Reception Friday, 7-10 pm. Exhibit runs through November. Call 310.481.9966.


Nov. 9 (Sat.) 7:30 pm and Nov. 11 (Mon.), 4:30 pm—Exclusive "West Bank Brooklyn" Screening, Followed by Director's Discussion, in AFI Fest 2002

Directed by Ghazi Albuliwi (USA, 2002,85 minutes, DigiBeta). Screening in American Directions. Director Ghazi Albuliwi will attend and host a Q&A following the screening.

With wit, charm and irreverence, writer/director/producer/actor Ghazi Albuliwi's WEST BANK BROOKLYN contrasts the different interpretations of God and religion for three young Muslim friends living in Brooklyn where Jewish, Muslim and Catholics live side-by-side. Albuliwi plays a chameleon-like realist who adopts a Puerto Rican name and look to avoid the stigma of being named Saddam. Ali sees his elder brother Mustafa reject the traditions of their faith, leaving their father broken-hearted. And Mohammed, whose uncle is killed in Palestine, turns to the Muslim faith but interprets it in anger and prejudice. Painting a human face on faith, the film explores the conflict of being a young man with ties to another culture, while attempting to forge his own identity as a young American.

At ArcLight Theatre, corner Sunset and Vine. Easy on-site validated parking at ArcLight Hollywood is available for only $2 for the first three hours and $6 for the entire day. Info/passes: 1.866.AFI FEST. see also Nov. 14 and Nov. 17.

Nov. 14 & 17 (Thurs. & Sun.), 7:30 pm—Intangible Cartographies & New Arab Video, Curated by Jayce Salloum, in L.A. Freewaves Fest At UCLA's Film & Television Archives' James Bridges Theater

Anne Bray is back with her tri-annual L.A. Freewaves across-L.A. video/film/new media festival, and teams up with UCLA/Levantine Cultural Center to cosponsor/present Arab filmmaker and curator Jayce Salloum with in/tangible cartographies [sic] on Thurs., Nov. 14 at 7:30 pm, featuring Upside Down, Cyber Palestine, Blue, Red Chewing Gum, Survival Signs and other shorts.

Also Sun., Nov. 17, 7:00 pm, with Jayce Salloum in person, moderated by Jawad Ali during the public dialogue portion of the evening. Salloum presents "untitled part 2: beauty and the east" with more art/experimental videos by Arab/Middle East/American artists. Admission is $7 general, $5 students. Box office opens one hour before show. Parking $7 in Lot 3. Purchase parking at Wyton Drive entrance (off Hilgard Avenue at Wyton) before 7 pm, or at the Lot 3 gate after 7 pm. General info: 310.206.8013. Levantine Cultural Center has five pairs of tickets for new member subscribers who join by Nov. 10. Click here to learn more. Call 323.650.7010.

Nov. 14, (Thurs.) 7:30 pm & Nov. 17 (Sun.), 2:30 pm—Elia Suleiman's "Divine Intervention" in AFI Fest 2002

A major winner at Cannes this year, "Divine Intervention" is directed by Elia Suleiman and is a French/Moroccan/Palestinian coproduction (92 minutes, 35mm). Screening in the European Showcase Part parable, part experimental narrative, Elia Suleiman utilizes irreverence, wit, mysticism and insight to craft an intense, hallucinogenic and extremely adept exploration of the dreams and nightmares of Palestinians and Israelis living in uncertain times. As a companion piece to his first film, DIVINITY GRATIS, Suleiman's second film DIVINE INTERVENTION was one of the most talked about films at this year's Cannes Film Festival. This is a work that challenges viewers and satiates sensibilities. At ArcLight Theatre, corner Sunset and Vine. Easy on-site validated parking at ArcLight Hollywood is available for only $2 for the first three hours and $6 for the entire day. Info/passes: 1.866.AFI FEST.

Also, Nov. 14, 5 pm, and Nov. 16, 9:30 pm, WEDDING IN RAMALLAH Directed by Sherine Salama (Australia, 2002, 94 minutes, 35mm). Screening in the Documentary Series. Director Sherine Salama will attend and host a Q&A following the screening. "I cannot take another broken heart again, you know?" says Bassam Abed on the eve of his second wedding. After a painful divorce from an American, Bassam returns to Palestine, seeking a traditional wife. Mariam, a gangly, stoop-shouldered spinster, accepts his offer and the two are married. After the ceremony, however, Bassam returns to the States, leaving his new bride adrift in a sea of gossipy in-laws and very few memories. The resulting documentary is an engrossing multi-act drama of visas, gunfire and crushed expectations.

At ArcLight Theatre, corner Sunset and Vine. Easy on-site validated parking at ArcLight Hollywood is available for only $2 for the first three hours and $6 for the entire day. Info/passes: 1.866.AFI FEST.

Nov. 20 (Wed.), 8:00 pm—"Banned & Taboo: Dialogue on Dance and the Middle East" With Experts on Several Forms of Middle East Dance including Raqs Sharki

A colloquium on dance, with public dialogue and demonstrations.

Banned in Iran since the 1979 Revolution, banned under the Taliban in Afghanistan, and taboo in several cultures, dance can be a controversial art form in the Middle East. Yet the Egyptian style of women's folkdancing, known properly as Raqs Sharki, or "belly dancing" in the American vernacular, has taken on great popularity in the United States and Europe. Is Raqs sharki taboo for Arab women at home, and abroad? Why do so many American women find themselves compelled by this dance form? What do the top artists in the field have to say on the history and contemporary reality of dance and the Middle East?

This evening colloquium and demonstrations are organized by Levantine Cultural Center and cosponsored by Ark 21 Records, in connection with the launch of a new CD, "Bellydance Superstars," which consists of a collection of Arab music selected by some of the top stars of Raqs sharki working in the United States. Moderated by artist and scholar Dr. Robyn Friend, introduced by Miles Copeland, the evening includes distinguished dance professionals such as Shida Pegahi, Barbara Racy, Jillina, Amar Gamal, Tamalyn Dallal and Joelle Ferrando, who helped produce the Ark 21 CD and is a former Raqs sharki dancer from Lebanon.

The evening begins with a panel and public dialogue. After an intermission, several performers will offer demonstrations, including Raqs sharki and dance from a range of Middle East cultures.

Tickets are just $6 for the general public, free for members of Levantine Cultural Center. Open bar & bookstore from 7:30 pm. To learn about the special benefits of being a member and how to join now, click here. At Levantine Cultural Center/Pacific Arts Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., a half-block west of Beverly Glen, between Century City and Westwood. Street parking. Read the signs.

Click here for a flyer on the Ark 21 dance events on Nov. 19 & 21connected with the CD release.
Click here to read bios of the panelists participating in "Banned & Taboo."

Nov. 21 (Thurs.), 8:00 pm—Levantine BookGroup Discusses "Only in London"

The BookGroup meets again the third Thursday of the month, this time to talk about Hanan Al-Shaykh's latest novel, Only in London. A chance meeting of four strangers on a turbulent plane ride from Dubai to London sets the stage for this fourth novel by acclaimed Lebanese author al-Shaykh (Women of Sand and Myrrh; Beirut Blues). The Literary Review (London) raves, "For all its deceptive lightness of touch, the novel teems with ideas: memory and exile, language, desire and identity, and the serach for order in the chaos of a metropolis. It is also very funny." Read a complete review online at BookGroup. You can if you wish RSVP for Nov. 21 and/or Dec. 19, when we will be meeting to talk about I, the Divine, by Rabih Alameddine. Call 323.650.7010 and see the BookGroup page for details.

The BookGroup is always free to the public. At the Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90067, one half block west of Beverly Glen.

Nov. 24 (Sun.), 2:00-4:30 pm—Poets for Peace "Response to War" with Sami Shalom Chetrit, Dima Hilal, Wanda Coleman, Jerry Quickley and Others at Beyond Baroque

An afternoon of poetry on war and peace, with Jenoyne Adams, Linda Albertano, Michael Datcher, John Harris, Lewis McAdams, Henry Morro, James Ragan, Austin Strauss, and Levantine Cultural Center artist members Dima Hilal, a native of Lebanon, and Sami Shalom Chetrit, a distinguished radical Mizrahi poet from Morocco/Israel.

Produced by Sherman Pearl and Larry Jaffe on behalf of United Poets Coalition/Poets for Peace, cosponsored by Levantine Cultural Center, the Office of the Americas and Workmen's Circle.

Requested donations, $5. At Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice CA 90291. 3/4 of a mile WEST of Lincoln on the north side of the street. Call 310.822.3006 the day of the performances. Bookstore open.


Nov. 25 (Mon.), 5:00 pm—"From French Algeria to Jerusalem: An Itinerary" By Henri Atlan

Born and raised, in part, in Algeria, Henri Atlan is a distinguished Sephardic author, professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris, a bio-ethicist and philosopher who divides his time between France and Israel, where he directs the Center for Human Biology at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem. Atlan has written a theory of complexity and self-organization, numerous works on cellular biology and immunology, artificial intelligence, philosophy and ethics of biology. His works include Enlightenment to Enlightenment: Intercritique of Science and Myth (1993) and Le Clonage humain (1999). He has written a number of essays over the years concerning Algerian life, Middle Eastern Jewish identity, and the problems of Israeli and Palestinian spaces.

At UCLA's 314 Royce Hall. No charge to the public, $7 for public. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call 310.825.5387. Parking: pick up permit at the kiosk off Hilgard Avenue at Wyton Drive and mention that you are attending the Center for Jewish Studies Amado Lecture; attendants will direct you to parking structure.


Special Announcements

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 90067 [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

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