In Remembrance of Cyrus the Great
24 Shevat 5768, 31 January 08 06:10
by Amil Imani
(IsraelNN.com) It happened on January 26,
2008, at the UCLA Freud PlayHouse in Los Angeles, California. It
brought the world's most renowned scholars and top performing
artists together to remember the life of
Cyrus the Great, the founding father of Persia and the
mighty Persian Empire - perhaps the most exemplary, magnificent
and just king the world has ever known.
The event put together visual arts, the
ambiance of the theater, and the inspirational young and
beautiful Anna Djanbazian’s dancers (who, in precise rows,
executed perfectly harmonious and breathtaking dances). The
entertainment continued with delightful music by the legendary
Iranian pop singer Dariush, who selflessly and quickly accepted
the offer to perform without any compensation for this noble
cause. And the same goes for the always magnificent,
Oscar-nominated composer, vocalist and performance artist, the
beautiful
Sussan Deyhim.
The evening was cultivated by an impresario
of Persian archeology, the adventurous explorer and film maker
of our ancient past, and simply an Iranian hero,
Cyrus Kar himself. He lured and captivated the audience for
a mystical night of remembering Cyrus the Great.
The Iranian communities around the world
are grateful and appreciative when singers, dancers, performers
and artists are willing to set aside their time and perform
freely to promote justice and freedom. We hope to see more and
more Iranian artists participating in this kind of gathering.
”An artist is not paid for his labor, but for his vision,” said
James MacNeill Whistler.
It all began like a lyrical poem, evolving
into a contemplative national epic. In the ancient tradition of
historical epics, all the elements were perfectly matched to the
image of the inspirational melody.
The opening ceremony started with the
Mistress of Ceremonies,
Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the charming and beautiful singer,
songwriter and international human rights activist. She was also
Miss World Canada. Beyond a doubt, her presence lent a sense of
euphoria and excitment to the entire ceremony.
And finally, the very gracious audience -
they came from near and far to gather for what every Iranian
understands: the need to recognize and preserve our national
heritage from the ravages of time and calamities of the present
ruling regime in Iran. They came to support their fellow
Iranian, Cyrus Kar, who has been painstakingly trying to make a
documentary film about the life of the benevolent king, Cyrus
the Great.
There were many distinguished and honorable
speakers who contributed to this event, as well. The first was
Dr. David Stronach, the renowned Scottish archaeologist of
ancient Iran and Iraq. He is currently a professor at the
University of California, Berkeley. Also speaking were Dr.
Jennifer Rose, Professor at Stanford University,
Dr. Abbas Milani, an Iranian-American historian and author,
and Professor Mark D. Rosenbaum, legal director of the American
Civil Liberties Union in Los Angeles, where he has worked since
1974.
What the Islamic Republic's despotic rulers
have set out to do is defeat the Iranian spirit inside Iran and
extinguish Cyrus’ spirit around the world, through brainwashing,
coercion and terrorist acts. It has given Cyrus Kar all the more
impetus to recreate and show the world who and what Cyrus the
Great truly was: the embodiment of the human spirit. This
documentary is in its final stages and is in dire need of your
support.
It is ironic that a man whom the Jews
called “Messiah” and who died 2,500 years ago can be a threat to
the very existence of the current brutal, un-Iranian Islamic
regime.
The Islamic Republic of Iran seems to be fearful both of the
dead and the living. Yet, Iran has survived despite her
enemies, the course of innumerable wars, invasions, pillages and
captivity at the hands of barbaric tribes, and in spite of being
forced into an un-Iranian religion.
Our message to the world is clear. We, the
diverse people of Iran, are descendants of an optimistic,
enlightened and positive people. We are the children of Cyrus
the Great. We meet any challenge and pay any price to defeat
tyranny, and we will not rest until Iran is completely free of
the despotic rule of Islamofascism.
Southland troupes to receive Lester Horton Dance Awards
Recipients of the annual Lester Horton Awards include the Djanbazian
and Backhausdance companies and Francisco Martinez.
By Lynne Heffley , Times Staff Writer, Times Staff Writer
The 16th annual Lester Horton Dance Awards, "Milestones — Los
Angeles Dance," announced Sunday, honored an eclectic mix of
companies, with an emphasis on contemporary works.
Presented by the Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles and
named after the locally based modern dance pioneer, the awards
recognize excellence in all genres of concert dance in Southern
California.
Outstanding achievement by a company went to the Djanbazian Dance
Company for its multidisciplinary drama "Rumi: Path to
Enlightenment," choreographed by artistic director Anna Djanbazian
and inspired by the 13th century relationship between a wandering
dervish and a Sufi mystic.
Jennifer Backhaus and her Orange County-based contemporary ensemble,
Backhausdance, received awards for four separate works, including a
short-form choreography nod for Backhaus' Latin ballroom-inspired
"Love and Other Possibilities" and a revival, reconstruction,
restaging award for her "Disintegration," 2001.
The award for long-form choreography went to Francisco Martinez of
the veteran Francisco Martinez Dancetheatre for "Té Verde."
In the category of music for dance, "Synergy," a program of
premieres by the contemporary ensembles Regina Klenjoski Dance
Company and Trip Dance Theatre, earned honors for composers Ron
Bartlett, Charlie Campagna and Moira Smiley.
Special awards, previously announced, were given to Andrei Tremaine,
a choreographer and former Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancer;
choreographer and dance historian Allegra Fuller Snyder; the late
Alfred Desio, creator of the Colburn Kids Tap Ensemble and Zapped
Taps; and Ann Haskins, dance writer for LA Weekly.
Also acknowledged were dance companies with 25 years or more of
continuous professional participation in performance, leadership and
service to the Los Angeles community.
The list of winners:
Choreography, long form: Francisco Martinez ("Té Verde 'Danza
Brasileira' "), Francisco Martinez Dancetheatre
Choreography, short form: Jennifer Backhaus ("Love and Other
Impossibilities"), Backhausdance
Performance, company: Djanbazian Dance Company ("Rumi: Path to
Enlightenment")
Performance, male: Carlos Rodriguez ("La Hora de Salir"), Oni Dance
Performance female: Jean Michelle Sayeg ("Té Verde"), Martinez
Dancetheatre
Production of a festival or series: Jamie Nichols ("Celebrate Dance
2006," Alex Theatre)
Performance, small ensemble: Andrea Brache, Andrew Cook and William
Lu ("eXit" ), Backhausdance
Music for dance: Ron Bartlett, Charlie Campagna and Moira Smiley
("Synergy"), Trip Dance Theatre and Regina Klenjoski Dance Company
Costume design: Elias Roldan ("Arriba Jalisco: A Gritos"), Grandeza
Mexicana Folk Ballet Company
Set design: Brock Cilley ("The Cage"), Marie de la Palme,
choreographer and dancer
Lighting design: Monique L'Heureux ("La Jupe") Backhausdance
Revival, reconstruction, restaging: Jennifer Backhaus
("Disintegration," 2001)
Executive Producer Jamie Nichols presents CELEBRATE DANCE 2006
for one night only at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale,
California, Saturday, March 25th at 8:00pm. Nichols’ penchant
for selecting dance companies of various genres has proven
successful with the multiple Lester Horton Dance Awards and
nominations garnered by the companies she has produced the past
three years at the Alex Theater. Having been Artistic Director of
her own contemporary dance company Fast Feet for twenty-three years,
Nichols understands the need for dance companies to present work in
a professional atmosphere and her mission is to provide dance
companies with a world-class venue, present enlightening &
entertaining premieres to the diverse Los Angeles public and offer
affordable ticket prices for all ages.
CELEBRATE DANCE 2006 will be an exceptional event presenting
seven companies & choreographers celebrating diversity in ballet,
jazz, modern and contemporary dance idioms. Nichols brings to The
Alex Theatre a bevy of gifted artists and their premieres including:
Backhausdance - a vibrant contemporary company will ignite with a
hot and lively Latin piece - winner of three 2004 Lester Horton
Dance Awards and recently The Dance Under The Stars Choreography
Festival ‘05 in Palm Desert, Djanbazian Dance Company winner of four
Horton Awards in 2004 and two Grand Prix Italia ‘05 Awards - blend
exceptional ballet and modern skills with traditional dance flavor
featuring the “phenomenal” Arsen Serobian.
Jazz Antiqua Dance & Music Ensemble directed by Pat Taylor
celebrates the African American roots of the jazz tradition with
visceral jazz dance and powerful enticing choreography, San Pedro
City Ballet nominated for 2004 Horton Award for Performance Company
will bring Silence to the stage with sixteen dancers in a tribute to
9/11danced to the music of Ligeti and Khachturian and Pennington
Dance Group led by veteran Lewitzky Dance Company member and
renowned choreographer/teacher John Pennington offers modern dance
of highest caliber influenced by the Bella Lewitzky legacy.
Nichols will give Los Angeles the debut of two contemporary ballet
companies from San Francisco: Liss Fain Dance with the compelling
The Line Between Night & Day performed to music by Messiaen and
Viktor Kabaniaev and Dancers dancing the de-constructed duet White
Light fused with the music of Arvo Part. Kabaniaev from St.
Petersburg, Russia and former dancer with Eifman Ballet, was awarded
“First Laureate” at the 3rd International Serge Diahgilev
Competition for Choreographers in Poland ’04 and most recently
“Grand Prize” at The Dance Under The Stars Choreography Festival ‘05
in Palm Desert.
October 25, 2005
Dear Dance Enthusiast and Supporter of The Arts,
The Djanbazian Dance Foundation’s Board of Directors is
pleased to announce the 2006 premier of Lester Horton Award winning
choreographer Anna Djanbazian’s Search for Enlightenment (a working
title), on January 7th, 2006 at 8:00 P.M. and January 8th at 7:00 P.
M. at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse.
The meeting of the philosophers, mystics and poets, Rumi and Shams
in the 13th century, has inspired Djanbazian to create the two-act
contemporary dance event that will include: contemporary
choreography danced by the Djanbazian Dance Company and guest
dancers, live music with vocalist Shahla Sarookhani, video
projections, spoken word, and singing.
An evening of this tremendous proportion not only involves research,
artistic skill and innovative choreography but monetary support to
make it come to life on stage with a cast of skilled dancers,
musicians, a fine technical staff, exquisite costumes and brilliant
lighting to enhance the work presented. Since public funding for the
arts is at the lowest it has ever been, your generous contribution
to Djanbazian Dance Foundation (DDF) will help support this
important cultural event and the future of DDF.
The Djanbazian Dance Foundation as a non-profit cultural
organization has a mission to promote the development of the art of
dance by producing and organizing unique, diverse, educational and
cultural programs. The goals of DDF is to breakdown the cultural
barriers among the youth, build a positive experience and provide
special events that will bring a greater appreciation among various
cultural patrons. Search for Enlightenment (a working title), as a
premier event presented at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse on January 7th and
8th of 2006, will reach beyond the goals of DDF by offering a high
caliber evening of contemporary dance created by master
choreographer, Anna Djanbazian
RUMI: THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
WHAT: Anna Djanbazian, multiple Lester Horton Award 2004 winning
choreographer and recent recipient of two Dance Grand Prix Italia
2005 awards, will premiere her latest full evening contemporary
dance theatre piece RUMI: PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT at the Ralph Freud
Playhouse at UCLA on Saturday January 7th and Sunday January 8th
2006 at 8:00pm. The meeting of the mystics, poets and philosophers Molana Jalaleddin Rumi & Shams Tabrizi in the 13th century has
inspired Djanbazian’s contemporary dance theatre work in two-acts.
Djanbazian has woven a theatrical movement tapestry of rich and
sensual harmony using the exceptional abilities of the Djanbazian
Dance Company, guest artist Johnathan Sharp as RUMI, threaded with
other guest artists including: vocalist Shahla Sarookhani, musicians
Mehrdad Naghibian & Kamran Aghtaee, improvisational movement signer
Mary Lee Sanders, poetry recitation by Keowa Li Newell and Rumi’s
mystical words.
Molana Jalaleddin Rumi was a theologian and scholar of traditional
methods, but after meeting the enigmatic spiritual friend and
teacher “the wild holy man” Shams, Rumi experienced a divine
transformation and began his extraordinary work. He conceived
thousands of ghazals (a form of Persian poetry), couplets and
quatrains all influenced by the mystifying relationship with Shams
who without explanation vanished leaving an indelible impression on
Rumi.
Rumi has inspired artists, seekers of truth and those walking the
path of enlightenment with his words, thoughts and mystic
connotations. Anna Djanbazian will inspire the viewer with RUMI:
PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT by weaving live percussion, singing, poetry
recitation, improvisational movement signing and the divine language
of the human soul through her art of contemporary dance laced with
her traditional expertise.
“Dance as though no one is watching
Love, as though you’ve never been hurt before,
Sing, as though no one can hear you,
Work, as though you don’t need the money,
Live, as though heaven is on Earth.”
Molana Jalaleddin Rumi
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