Transcending Nationalisms

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June 30 (Sat), 4-10 pm—International Conference and Concert, "Transcending Nationalisms," at the Fowler Museum, UCLA

Can literature, music, art bridge the Middle East and the West? Writers/editors and musicians create a culture jam to blure the divide. A public conversation with Reza Aslan, Heather Raffo and Sholeh Wolpé, moderated by Jordan Elgrably, followed by a reception and a concert with Som'ma & MC Rai at UCLA's Fowler Museum.

Necar Zadegan has been working professionally as an actress since she was 16, here in the States and abroad. She attended UCSB on a performance scholarship and graduated with degrees in literature and writing. She has since been traveling the world on a theatrical tour with Workshop 79 and spent the last year doing work for television on shows like Nip/Tuck, The Unit, NCIS, How I Met Your Mother and will be in an upcoming series for ABC called Big Shots. She just closed a show called Gilgamesh at the Boston Court theater and reads work regularly at the Cafe Metropol downtown.

Gilbraltar-born Israeli American actor Herzl Tobey trained at The Arts Educational Schools in London, where he performed in plays ranging from Choderlos de Laclos's "Dangerous Liaisons" to contemporary theatre by such as David Mamet and Tom Stoppard. Later, after performing in theatre in Israel he moved to Los Angeles after being offered a part in the play "The Palestinian Connection," directed by Roy Avigdori, in which he played the part of Ahmed Bakur, the Palestinian terrorist organization leader. Back Stage West said that "Herzl Tobey brought a cold-blooded matter of factness to his role as the terrorist." Herzl has appeared in "The Shield" and the original theatrical production of "Convergence." He has appeared in other TV productions including "Wanted," "Threshold", "Heist" and "24" and in the film "Ground Zero" now in post-production.

Writers and editors of major anthologies featuring work from and about the Middle East discuss the role of literature in moving Western consciousness away from the terrorists and fanatics towards the cultural heritage of that region. To what extent can such anthologies play a role in bringing about a more balanced sense of shared humanity, and how can theycontribute to the ongoing dialogue now taking place between the East and the West?

There is an emerging international literary voice that is suggestive of a powerful and sustained interest in Middle Eastern cultures, and in the culture of its worldwide diaspora. It is a voice that is diverse and complex, shaped by the forces of immigration, exile, political upheaval, and revolution. Reza Aslan, Heather Raffo and Sholeh Wolpé present the case for culture and discuss the important conciliatory role such anthologies can play in the present political climate.

Organized and presented by Levantine Cultural Center and the Fowler Museum with the support of the Center for Near East Studies-UCLA and PEN Center West. Members of Levantine Cultural Center, the Fowler Museum, CNES and PEN, as well as students, receive a discount on event tix: Panel, reception and concert with Som'ma Ensemble & MC Rai, general admission, $30, members/students price, $25. Panel event only, 4-6 pm, general admission $15, members/student price, $10. Info call 310.657.5511/657.5522.

This program was made possible by the generous support of Diane Shammas, Shari Rezai and Hamid Mosavi, Shamshiri, fine Persan/Middle East cuisine, Westwood.

My mother, daughter and myself attended the wonderful evening at the Fowler museum. It is our collective opinion that the evening was stellar: a brilliant combination of the arts, the intellect, human sentiment, the sensual spirit, and rational consideration. I do believe that minds are reached through hearts which are engaged by the arts, good company, food, music, poetry. You provide that special combination. The multi talented participants were each and every one amazing and inspirational. I came away with a renewed sense of our collective humanity , resolve to continue my activism, and a restored spirit which remains full of hope...despite my natural pessimistic tendencies. Beautiful evening! Brilliant guest artists and intellectuals...great music...delicious food...marvelous ambiance. Your tireless efforts and diligent commitment to a better, more beautiful and cultured world are truly appreciated by us. I feel very fortunate to be able to join in the Levantine Center events. THANK YOU! Shanti, shalom, salaam Maureen Cruise I very much enjoyed the program and hope that you keep doing what you are doing. The mixture of academic talk along with poetry and artistic presentations and music and of course the food made it very much enjoyable. Best Touraj Dr. Touraj Daryaee Professor of History Acting Chair of the History Department California State University, Fullerton Hello Jordan: I share your assessment of the event. It had a nice variety and demonstrated (rather than talk about) exactly what the concept of cultural bridge through the arts is all about. I enjoyed that piece of the program immensely. I was quite delighted and surprised by the generous food buffet and desserts as well. To spend $30 for the lecture, food, a CD, and concert was the best bargain I've found all year! My only feedback for future events (which I will make every effort to attend and will spread the word as well) are the following: 1. Any change in line up of presenters should be notified to ticket holders in advance and not at the start of the performance. Fortunately, your replacements were excellent otherwise, you would have had a lot of disgruntled people to deal with. 2. Questions from the panelists should be requested from the audience in writing so the most interesting or relevant ones could be posed. I personally did not appreciate people advertising their websites or using the time to advocate their opinions rather than ask a direct concise question. Thank you for seeking our opinion to enhance future events. You have set a high standard and I know that you will keep delighting us with outstanding events. Maryam Shah-Hosseini The music was amazing!!!! I would attend a million events like the one Saturday night. I wasn't there for the discussion and food, so have no feedback about that. I am the music freak, and am totally frustrated that so few middle eastern/north african concerts have been happening in LA (ex: Skirball, Grand Performances, UCLA, etc.) Deborah Glusker I enjoyed the combination of arts and dialogue very much and found it to be enriching. Heather and Reza were most informative. You moderating was refreshing, natural and keeping the flow. So often moderators are so much about themselves that the content is difficult to learn. I am grateful that LA Times had a notice on your event Thursday in the Calendar. I was deeply moved to find shared voices who understand the value of the arts in the growth of society. I shared my information about Create a Bridge Between Cultures. Thank you. In this work I hope to give people a voice with personal involvement and growth while participating in society through the arts. When we put up our related sites page, Words Without Borders will be there. Is there a way to let people know about www.createabridge.org on your site? Please keep me posted for Levantine Center events. Most sincerely, Patrisha p.s. It has to do with the East moving West - and West moving East. The evening's music: I think many Westerners look to other cultures for the acoustic nature of their music. It was a lesson to hear the Eastern musicians add electronic sounds to their lovely music. They are excellent musicians. I enjoyed when I could hear them clearly in their simplicity and beauty and found the electronic covered this up. As a singer, I see this often. When people think their personal offerings are not enough, we do not get to receive the heart in the sounds. My feedback. Thanks for your excellent work, Patrisha What a marvelous event!! The panel, the mixing of mediums, the food, the people....it was a highlight of the week. Yes, we would come to future events like it. Count us in. Thanks for your hard work. Ellen Sturz I arrived only 15 minutes before the end of the lecture, unfortunately. My friend said it was quite informative and interesting so, I guess, the format worked! I can confirm that company and the food and entertainment was top shelf. Jordan, thanking you in advance for your assistance and I'm looking forward to attending and volunteering at your next function. Peace, Jim Hi there. I think it's great that you're asking for feedback on last Saturday's program. So, a few thoughts ... and, since I aim to keep this as brief as possible, please understand that I'm focusing on a few "suggestion"-type thoughts. Please know that the underpinning of everything I write is that I thought it was a very worthwhile program, a unique combination of elements, stimulating, enriching, fun—all the good stuff! (Great food, too.) Two suggestions. (1) Hindsight being 20/20 ... Perhaps Reza Aslan should not have been part of the program. He certainly is intelligent, articulate, and engaged in issues pertinent to the Levantine Center's mission ... but he is more a "talking head" type person than someone with a direct personal experience of working through how to bring Americans and the Arab/Muslim world closer through "the arts." (I haven't read his book, but my understanding is that it's more "discourse" than "the arts.") I wouldn't be intent on making these sorts of distinctions -- I don't think it would have occurred to me ahead of time -- but for the fact that the difference between Reza and his "style," on the one hand, and Sholeh and Heather, on the other, did affect the discussion part of the program. There may have been gender issues operating here too -- but in any case there's no doubt that Reza did dominate the discussion. Even when you said, near the end, that time was limited, he spoke at some length; and at minimum I think one could conclude that this was the result of him being on so many talk shows and "earning his living," so to speak (or, literally, I guess) by talking, by having "answers" ... I'm not sure that this panel was best served by someone who packages things rather tidily in packages and answers, as Reza must, of necessity, do in most of the formats where he appears ... We had two stunning performances -- by Heather, and by Sholeh and her companions -- but, in the end, not nearly enough time to discuss these, in ways in which they might have been discussed. Had the panel afterwards consisted only of those who first did a performance, I think the relationship between the performances and what we were discussing afterwards would have been much stronger. I don't think anyone is in a position to offer tidy "answers," at this point ... but explorations, efforts, suggestions, questions ... (I could go on about this, but I think you know what I mean.) (2) One other thought, that arises from one thing you say in your message, about your desire "to create dialogue and community among us all." Since the format of the afternoon was sort of a "combination" format to begin with -- how about the idea (if you do something like this in the future) of, first, having performances, and then having 15 minutes where you ask the audience to divide itself up into groups of from 4-6 people (approx.) for a small group discussion of reactions to the performances AND one stipulation here being that each person should not be in a group where he/she knows more than half the people. (Best would be: knows no more than one other person.) In other words, structure a way for folks to meet new people and hear their ideas, and share ideas together. This would be a further step towards a feeling of "community" -- and also, incidentally, serve the purpose of getting some thoughts rolling, into the Q&A period. Anyway, thanks for the program, and thanks for asking for the feedback. Michelle Gubbay I suppose my question to you — if you attented the presentation in the Lenart Auditorium — is: did we effectively demonstrate that the arts, that literature, can indeed bring Americans and the Arab/Muslim world closer? I think so. I can't think of any other more effective way to do so. The poetry and the music are very direct, more direct than other forms of art in conveying our mutual values. How did this program match your expectations? Yes, perhaps exceeded them. We really had a good time. Did you like or dislike the format, mixing dramatic readings with discussion and audience Q & A? We liked it. It's a shame we ran out of time for questions though. Steven Drums I very much enjoyed my experience on Saturday, June 30th. In response to your "request for feedback", I can only encourage you to continue what you're doing—it works on several levels. Regards, Mina Eghbal Thanks for a wonderful nite. We loved the music so much went back for more on Tuesday at Zanzibar. Keep it up. Alexandra Olivas

Reza Aslan is the author of No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam (Random House, 2005) and Editor in Chief of the upcoming Norton Anthology of Modern Literature of the Muslim World. An internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions, Reza Aslan is a regular commentator for NPR's Marketplace and Middle East Analyst for CBS News and has made several appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He is a research fellow with USC's Center for Public Diplomacy and a national advisory board member of Levantine Cultural Center.

Heather Raffo is a playwright and actor. She is a multiple award-winner for her one-woman show on Iraq, 9 Parts of Desire. Visit her site.

Sholeh Wolpé is a poet, translator and editor of the forthcoming anthology Iconoclasts and Visionaries. Her books include The Scar Saloon and Sin: The Poetry of Forough Farrokhzad.

Jordan Elgrably (moderator) is co-editor of the forthcoming anthology Iconoclasts and Visionaries and author of the forthcoming book of author interviews, Politics of the Word.

Som'ma Ensemble and MC Rai The San Francisco-based Persian-Middle East ensemble led by Shirzad Sharif, joined by North African vocalist MC Rai, performs a concert of Arab and Iranian traditional music and electronica.

Fowler Museum, UCLA. 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles, CA 90095. [Map]

LEVANTINE CULTURAL CENTER
Cultures of the Middle East & Mediterranean
1012 S. Robertson Blvd., Suite C
Los Angeles CA 90035-1537
310.657.5511, info@levantinecenter.org

Founded in the summer of 2001 by several Americans of North African/Middle Eastern heritage, Levantine Cultural Center (LCC) has become a highly visible and prolific pan-cultural arts project for Middle Eastern cultures, producing numerous groundbreaking performances and lectures. LCC often forms cross-cultural partnerships with like-minded organizations, curates multidisciplinary programs, and regularly includes Arabs/Muslims, Christians and Jews in its outreach, attracting culturally and religiously diverse audiences. LCC celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2006 with a series of worldbeat shows, literary events in the series "Maktub: New Writing From/To the Mideast" and the monthly comedy/satire show "Sultans of Satire: Middle East Comic Relief." Info 310.657.5511.

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