:: November 2004 ::

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All programs free unless otherwise noted.



Oct. 29 (Fri.), 7pm—Poet/radio Host Jerry Quickly presents Beats for Baghdad

Pacifica Radio host and spoken word artist JERRY QUICKLEY turned unlikely war-correspondent in the Iraq Conflict. In the days before and during 'SHOCK AND AWE,' Quickley went to report on the people of Iraq for Pacifica Radio. With an unparalleled, ground-up, first-person, hip-hop perspective, the viewer experiences Quickley's independent reporting and a raw and precise account of the tension and horror, from inside Baghdad, during the first days of bombing of the War. The feature also showcases Los Angeles poets, musicians and performance groups who gathered at Cabaret Voltaire to benefit Quickley's return trip to Iraq. BEATS FOR BAGHDAD combines never before seen documentary footage from Iraq, music, poetry, live concert footage from CABARET VOLTAIRE and powerful performances to tell the story of Jerry Quickley's travels to, and ultimate expulsion from, Iraq.

"Jerry Quickley's work transcends not only the bounds of his art, but its responsibility. Unafraid to confront or offend (when necessary), Jerry uses visceral images, cupped in a poetic so tender, his ability to invoke rage or despair or hope are phenomenal." —Roger Bonair-Agard, Repeat Slam Champion and Co-Author of Burning Down the House.

Fri., Oct. 29th, 7-9 pm, at Heartbeat House, 1638 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles 90026. RSVP 323.660.6192.

Through Dec. 31. (Fri-Sun.), 12:00-5 p.m.—"Tracing Identity: An Insider's View of the L.A. Armenian Community," a photo essay by Ara Oshagan

Ara Oshagan's "Traces of Identity: An Insider's View of the L.A. Armenian Community, 2000-2004" is a photo essay curated by Charlie Hachadourian. From family retreats at Big Bear Lake, inmates in Ironwood state prison, and church services in Pasadena, to demonstrations on East Hollywood streets, a youth party in Studio City, a drug-rehab center in Palmdale and a convalescent home in Eagle Rock, among others, the exhibit brings together the strands of a diverse and vibrant Armenian presence across the breadth of the greater Los Angeles area. It addresses issues of identity and displacement common to many immigrant communities.

“Armenians are an extremely diverse community in Los Angeles, although they are united in the common tragedy of the 1915 genocide,” says project director, Dr. Donald E. Miller of USC. “Currently, there are about 250,000 Armenians living in Los Angeles, the largest concentration of Armenians living outside the Republic of Armenia. 'Traces of Identity' captures both the vitality and complexity of this community and powerfully raises the question, 'What does it mean to be Armenian in the 21st century?'"

Oshagan’s photos are intimate images of everyday life. “I know almost everyone I photograph — if not personally, then through a family or community connection,” says the Beirut-born photographer who is also a longtime resident of Los Angeles’ Armenian community. “This allows me a unique portal into their lives and a shared intimacy.” Visit the web site.

Through December 31, 2004. Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, 4800 Hollywood Blvd. (near Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027, Gallery phone: 323.644.6269. Gallery hours: Friday - Sunday, 12 - 5 pm.


Through Nov. 13—New Works by Huguette Caland at the Gallery Saint Germain

Born in Beirut in 1931, Venice-based artist Huguette Caland, née Khoury, has lived an international life and produced a large body of work that has been exhibited around the world.

According to critic Peter Frank, "Huguette Caland's paintings propose a civilization. They also situate themselves comfortably in the course of recent abstract art, drawing on and extending the reach of, among other phenomena, the unstretched, patterned and textured painting the Parisians call Support/Surface and the gritty, physically hyper-present work that southern California knows as Material Abstraction. But more than most of such work, Caland's art, in its vibrant patterning and earthy tonality, refers visually and metaphorically to woven tapestries and dyed cloths, to myriad indigenous cultures whose people, like all humans, seek to excite their eyes, stimulate their minds, and explain their world with their handiwork. Caland does not imitate, nor even emulate, any one specific people; indeed, her primary intention is not to confabulate erzatz batiks or set us imagining the ethnicity that may be responsible for them. She alone is responsible for these startling objects, and invites us to regard them first and foremost as self-sustianing visual phenomena. Still, their allure is as much atavistic as optical; we know them from somewhere else as well as from right in front of us."

Through Nov. 13 at Gallery Saint Germain, 302 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood 90048. Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. 310.652.5511.


Nov. 6 (Sat.), 6-8 pm—"Prism, Beyond the Focal Plane" Exhibit and Reception

Exhibition through January 15, 2005. Artists from the South Asian and Turkish disapora show new multimedia works, curated by Andaleeb Firdosy. "A map is a curious thing—a totalizing document, yet abstract and disembodied. It is an indispensable reference and completely malleable at once, marking the fires of politics with a sterile hand..." This exhibit is a catalogue of cartographers, artists creating metaphor-models that trace the contours of the globe, catch it through a peripheral glance, and offer up the occasional cross-section. The themes of the five disaporic artists are as varied as their maritime coordinates, yet their statements are expressed in an emergent modal currency, a double vision that draws a line suggesting dimensionality.

Gul Cagin, Arzu Arda Kosar, Meena Nanji, Allan deSouza and Andaleeb Firdosy. 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St., Santa Monica 90405. Info 310.453.3711. See the web site for details. Made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts, cosponsored by Artwallah.


Nov. 6 (Sat.), 8:30 pm—Marcel Khalife Live in Concert

Lebanon's Marcel Khalife is in some ways what Bob Dylan is to America, Paolo Conte is to Italy and Jacquel Brel or Georges Brassens is to France. Yet, Khalife says, "I have defied identities and categorizations, which only serve to blind us to the vastness and complexity of humanity."

His challenges are not only musical in character. Interpreter of music and oud performer, he is also a composer who is deeply attached to the text on which he relies. In his association with great contemporary Arab poets, particularly Palestinian poet par excellence, Mahmoud Darwish, he seeks to renew the character of the Arabic song, to break its stereotypes, and to advance the culture of the society that surrounds it.

His lyrical recordings adds up to about 20 albums, including "Promises of the Storm," "Ahmad Al Arabi," "Weddings," "Peace Be With You," "Ode To A Homeland," "Arabic Coffeepot," "The Children and Body (Al Jassad)" to name a few.

On his journey, Marcel Khalifé invents and creates original music, a novel world of sounds, freed of all pre-established rules. This language elevates him to the level of an ambassador of his own culture and to the vanguard of Near Eastern music in search of innovators.

Nov. 6, 13, 20 (Sat.), 8 pm—"They Were Poets," a new theatrical rendering of Armenian world poetry

A theatrical production of Armenian poetry spanning several centuries, translated into English and compiled, edited and directed by Anahid Aramouni Keshishian. Presented by Arena Productions in association with UCLA's Dept. of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.

Under the direction of Anahid Keshishian, a lecturer in Armenian studies at UCLA, the ARENA Theater Company presents previously censored, oppressed, and unexplored works to the world art scene. ARENA's first production was the 2003 production of Aghasi Ayvazyan's "Props."

Tickets $20. At Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 90027. Reservations/info 818.240.7080. Email Arena.


Nov. 11 (Thurs.), 9:45 pm—World Premiere of "Indocumentados" by Leonardo Ricagni at the ArcLight

Written and Directed by Leonardo Ricagni, INDOCUMENTADOS is an intimate and spiritually evocative look at the lives of “undocumented” immigrants - those we don’t see in front of us - struggling to survive in post September 11th New York. It is the story of how a bicycle destined to be shared, brings together different people from different cultures and religions and gives them an enlightened promise of hope in the darkness. Says one early viewer: "It's an amazing movie with great heart that deals with multicultural issues, and features two Iranian children who are separated from their family after 9/11 in New York City." Also screens Fri., Nov. 12, 4 pm.

Buy tix here. At ArcLight Cinemas, 6360 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90028, in Theaters 12 and 10.


Nov. 13 (Sat..), 8:00 pm—Solo Exhibit/Reception for Artist Farzin Nikzad

Articultural Gallery at the Pacific Arts Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90025. 310.481.9052 (one block west of Beverly Glen). Parking: behind Nextel wireless, just east of and behind McDonald's.

Opening reception Saturday Nov. 13 at 8 pm. Show runs Nov 13 to Nov 24. Gallery hours, Fridays and Saturdays 1 to 6 pm or by appointment.




Nov. 14 (Sun.), 2-4 pm—Israeli Human Rights Attorney Yael Berda

Drawing on her experience as both community organizer and defense attorney for various political prisoners, Yael will give an overview of the state of dissent within Israel, - the rising voices to bring an end to the occupation as well as to social, economic and cultural oppression. Yael will address how people inside Israel and the United States can act as solidarity allies to Israelis and Palestinians, in building solutions through a nonviolent struggle.

Yael Berda, 28, was born in New York and grew up in West Jerusalem. She's a practicing human rights lawyer and in 1997 founded mahapach, - today Israel's largest grassroots student movement working to strengthen disempowered Jewish and Palestinian communities to lead direct action campaigns in areas of social and environmental rights. Formerly a columnist for Kol Hair (Haaretz local Jerusalem paper) on issues of politics and culture, she's currently a commentator on channel 10's weekly program "politics plus". Yael teaches at the Ramat Gan college of law, and this fall spoke at UC Berkeley school of law, Stanford university and the national lawyers guild conference.


Liberty Hill Foundation, 2121 Cloverfield Blvd. Suite 113, Santa Monica, 90404. NE corner Cloverfield & Pico – Free Parking available on site. Refreshments will be served
Event is without charge. For more information call:Wally Marks, 310.472.0430.


Nov. 18 (Thurs.), 8:00 pm—"Arabesque" with Jane Birkin and Djam & Fam of Algeria

With her gamine good looks, beguiling demeanor and sweet voice, this radiant mini-skirted girl from Chelsea took London by storm in the ‘60s and ‘70s, both as an actress in films such as the acclaimed "Blow-Up," and as the protégé to her late ex-husband, legendary French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Together they recorded several albums, including the infamously sexy British chart-topper, “Je T’Aime … Moi Non Plus,” banned by the BBC in 1969 for Birkin’s erotically explicit sighs. An unlikely hero in France, Gainsbourg has recently been embraced by a new generation of rock hipsters, from Beck to Air, seduced by his stylish songs of love and carnal longing. In a tribute to Gainsbourg, Birkin and the outstanding Group Djam & Fam of Algeria reinvent his songs in the dazzling context of North African folk music, mixing Moroccan rhythms, soulful Middle Eastern harmonies, shades of Andalusia, and breathy vocals oozing with elegant sensuality.Each of these songs is introduced by a long instrumental in the style of Oum Khalsoum, with the oud playing of Amel Riahi el Mansouri, percussion by Aziz Boularoug, piano by Fred Maggi and strings by Djamel Benyelles, the group's leader and Rai's most famous string player. He can be heard with Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami and other Algerian music stars as well such French acts as Jacques Higelin. After traveling "Arabesque" to places as far afield as Toyko and Carthage, Algeria, Birkin plays her first concert in Los Angeles in years.

UCLA's Royce Hall. Tix $45, $35, $25 and $15 for students. Go here for tickets online, or call the UCLA Central Ticket Office (CTO) at 310.825.2101, Mon-Fri from 10am-4pm; and Sat & Sun from 10am-2pm.

Go here for musical samples, and here.


Nov. 20 (Sat.), 9:30 am-6:30 pm—"Rites of Passage" Creative Writing Workshop

Writing Studio of Los Angeles with instructor Elana Golden. Participants may take one or both days; lunch included. Rites of passage are the events in our lives that shaped us.  Whether formal – such as one's first communion, marriage, or parenthood, or informal such as immigration, rape, or addiction - the social context and the specifically personal are called forth into literary expression.  Interweaving these elements, beginning to find connections, alignments or contrasts between them, is what good literature is made up of.

Guidance and inspiration towards Writing The Short Story will be given. Creative Writing skills, such as character development, motivation, use of detail, dramatic elements, suspense, rhythm or subtext will be explored.

To find out more, visit the Writing Studio web site, in particular the Workshops page, or call 323.936.2601.


Nov. 20 (Sat.), 8-10 pm—Mystic Movement with Malek Vossough and David Martinelli

A night of live middle-eastern sufi music for sacred dance and free form movement.
Come to dance and explore the ecstatic union of free form movement with the haunting, serene and climactic music from the traditions of the Middle Eastern Sufi mystics. At Foundation. Every third Saturday of the month. 1720 Main St. in Venice at Windward Circle. Info, 310.305-1888 or www.createfoundation.net.

8-10pm admission: $10. Music performed on traditional instruments by Malek Vossough: melody, ney flute, oud and violin; David Martinelli: percussion: dumbek, daf, and riqq.
For more info contact Malek at 323.966.9034.

Nov. 20 (Sat.), 8 pm—The Whirling Dervishes of Damascus, Sheikh Hamza Shakkûr & the Al-Kindi Ensemble at UCLA's Royce Hall

Um

Moshe

The installation helps viewers to understand the “other” as well as themselves. It informs and provokes, challenging viewers’ fears, prejudice and assumptions surrounding the conflict. It strives to empower both the people in the photos – people who rarely have a voice – and viewers, who will perhaps leave the installation with a deeper, more humanistic understanding of the complexities, realities and diversity of perspectives that make this conflict so painfully difficult to resolve. During its inaugural show at the SHERRY FRUMKIN GALLERY in Santa Monica, from Nov. 20 - Dec. 31, a series of related programs will be held at the same venue to continue a dialogue around the conflict. The installation will travel to other US cities and abroad. (Contact Barbara Grover To bring "This Land" to your community.)

This Land is under the fiscal sponsorship of the Middle East Peace Network, a California 501 (c) 3 and is supported by the Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Levantine Cultural Center. The project was conceived by photojournalist Barbara Grover who has traveled from the Gaza Strip to the Lebanese border to photograph and interview subjects for this work.

At the Sherry Frumkin Gallery, Studio 21, 3026 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica 90495. Ph. 310.397.7493. "This Land" runs through Dec. 31. Gallery hours Wed.-Sat., 11 am - 6 pm.

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 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 $120 annual membership dues (that's just $10 per month! and 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
310.559.5544, 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.

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