Welcome
to Our CalendarBookGroup
Middle East/Mediterranean Calendar for Januar/February 2003
[To learn about getting events listed, email the Calendar Editor. Send all photos as small jpegs or gifs to Photos.]
Jan. 17-Feb 15—Stars, Stripes and Semites, New Paintings and Drawings By Doris Bittar
David Zapf Gallery. Reception on Friday, January 17, 6-9 pm. The David Zapf Gallery is located at 2400 Kettner Blvd. in San Diego. Phone: (619) 232-5004. Click here for printable flyer.
Jan. 18 (Sat.), 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.—The Hero's Journey Writing Workshop at the Writing Studio
The previous creative writing workshop Levantine Center members and friends raved about was "Authority and Rebellion," also by instructor Elana Golden, and took place in Dec. Here is what one attendee commented: "Elana has created this sweet, tender, safe and loving environment in which I felt good about sharing myself. I was supported in sharing my writing openly, honestly and authentically." —Hadia Haaj
The Hero's Journey is a day-long writing workshop invoking the important stories that may have shaped our lives, and is about turning these into fiction, or memoir…"The assignments will guide you through the offset of the journey, meeting guides and mentors, facing rivals, ordeals and tribulations. It is an excellent workshop for immigrants and people from different cultures, as well as to all those who've grown and expanded through challenge and difficulty. The space is safe and supportive, the work is organic and tailor-made to each participant."The Writing Studio celebrates the uniqueness of each of its writers, and is a meeting place for writers, experienced and new, from a diverse cultures, countries, backgrounds and life styles. For: Anyone who wants to write; experienced and new writers. When: Saturday, January 18th 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM - Lunch included. Where: a cozy home in Hollywood. Cost: 100 dollars - 90 dollars to members of the Levantine Center. Limited to 7 people. For information and registration call Elana 323. 936.2601.
Elana is a writer and director of film and theater, who combines in her classes art, spirituality and politics.
Jan. 20 (Mon.), 7-10 pm, Arts-Oriented, Dynamic Conversational Levantine Arabic For Beginners Starts January 20, 2003, through March 31, 2003
Learn beginning conversational Levantine Arabic three hours a week with Nezar Andary. Mondays, 7-10 pm, Jan. 20-March 31. 12 three-hour workshops, for just $100 per month (total $300) 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 will teach 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.
Jan. 23 (Thurs.), 8:00 pm—Levantine BookGroup Discusses The Cyclist
The BookGroup meets again on a Thursday night, this time to talk about Viken Berberian's first novel. "Seductive, insidious, upsetting and completely satisfying," says Eric Bogosian. "An intoxicating cocktail." Says Publisher's Weekly, "The Cyclist is at once terrifying and hilarious. It is not a defense of terrorism but instead the tale of an endearing and conflicted character that will undoubtedly remain in the mind of the reader long after finishing the novel."
Call 323.650.7010 if you'd like to RSVP, and see the BookGroup page for details.
The BookGroup is always free to the public. At the Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025, one half block west of Beverly Glen.
Feb. 7 (Fri.), 8:00 pm—Khaliji Gulf Music House Concert with Naser Musa and Souhail Kaspar at Levantine CenterCONCERT MOVED to Saturday, March 15. See Feb/March calendar for details.
A night with Khaliji masters Souhail Kaspar and Naser Musa, and tickets are only $12, $10 for members. Open bar and book/cd store opens at 7:30, concert starts at 8 pm. For complete details visit the Khaliji page! To RSVP (seating limited), call 323.650.7010.
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 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.
Submit your calendar listings to our calendar editor now.
To subscribe to our listserve, send a message to: LevantineCulturalCenter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to Levantine Center updates, simply go to our signup page and fill in the blanks; or send an email with "subscribe me" in the subject or message box to info@levantinecenter.org
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.