Jake Gyllenhaal--Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Photo Courtesy of Disney.

It’s almost time for its May 2010 release!

Check out the second trailer for the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time movie.

From the looks of this latest sneak peak, Jake Gyllenhaal who is set to be at this year’s Oscars, really seems to be embracing the Persian charm that his character’s background calls for.

Works by Yassi Golshani--L to R: Rupoush, Hafiz Divinatory Poems, Installation with sound 2002-03

Yassi Golshani grew up in Iran and gained an MA in Painting from Al Zahra University in Tehran. In 1996 she moved to Paris, where she studied at the University of Saint Denis-Paris VII and the Sorbonne. Golshani’s artistic practice moved from painting to installation work, and most recently she has created installations of boxes containing various items, from disbanded Iranian newspapers and religious poetry, to children’s toys. Golshani has participated in a number of exhibitions in Iran, Europe and the USA.

And now, in partnership with the luxury five-star hotel Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, the official hotel partner of the Frieze Art Fair, Candlestar presents: Perspectives.

The second in a series of collaborative exhibitions staged in the hotel lobby following Iran Unbowed, which showcased three generations of contemporary artists from Iran; Perspectives will explore ideas of expectation and illusion–each of the works displayed is not quite as it first appears.

Perspectives features five highly distinctive artists – two photographers Emily Allchurch and David Maisel, two painters Patrick Hughes and Gerry Judah, and the young, Prague-based Iranian, Yassi Golshani. Each of these accomplished, exacting artists painstakingly constructs a world and then delights in breaking the illusion – either literally, as in the paintings of Gerry Judah where tiny precise cities are built up and then broken down on the canvas, or more figuratively, as in Emily Allchurch’s Urban Chiaroscuro, where surveillance cameras and mirrors, modern signs and graffiti and other contemporary details are positioned within what is apparently an eighteenth century etching.

Perspectives will interrupt the normal transition of image to eye, while challenging expectations of the display context. Rather than accepting what you see at face value, each artwork rewards further investigation to decode its subject and form. The works will transform the hotel lobby into a forum of participation, as they demand and repay interaction from the viewer. The show promises to be thought provoking, and is a rare opportunity to see these international artists together.

Perspectives will be on show at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill from March to June, and there will be a Private View on Monday 15 March, 6 – 8.30 pm.

Click here for more info.

Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) is pleased to announce the fifth anniversary of Camp Ayandeh, IAAB’s Iranian-American leadership camp for high school students, to be held at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California, July 6 -12, 2010.  

Through a positive and inclusive environment, Camp Ayandeh allows campers to develop leadership skills, foster strong friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of culture and identity as the youth of the Iranian diaspora community. The Iranian-American community is diverse and vibrant, a characteristic that Camp Ayandeh represents, embraces, and celebrates. Campers leave with a stronger sense of self, lifelong friendships, and the necessary skills to lead both within and outside of the Iranian diaspora community.

“The camp’s programs are designed to promote and utilize campers’ creative energies and critical thinking skills,” IAAB’s Executive Director Mana Kharrazi explained. “Our activities focus on leadership abilities such as decision making, active-listening, and communication, that assist campers in becoming the community’s leaders of tomorrow.”

“To watch these students grow over the course of a week, and leave with not only a stronger sense of self, but the skills necessary to become leaders in their communities, is a truly inspiring experience,” shares former camper and camp counselor, Tara Safaie. Among the camp’s cultural activities are lessons on and exposure to Iranian language, music, poetry, films, and history. Through the guidance of Iranian-American camp counselors drawn from an array of American universities, Ayandeh campers are also encouraged to reflect on what it means to be a hyphenated Iranian-American with peers who serve as role models and identify with the realities of Iranian-American teenage life.

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is located just south of San Francisco, California and has recently been named one of the top tier universities of the western region by U.S. News & World Report rankings. As an influential university in the Bay Area, IAAB chose its lush and accommodating campus as an ideal location for this celebratory fifth installment of Camp Ayandeh.

“This year’s Camp Ayandeh is going to address fresh ideas with new perspectives in order to continue empowering and inspiring the youth of our diaspora community,” shares Pantea Faed, a member of IAAB’s camp planning committee. “We’re excited about the West Coast debut; Camp 2010 will be one to remember.”

Camp Ayandeh is a non-political and non-religious camp, and is open to high school students of all backgrounds. No prior knowledge of the Persian language is required.

For more information on Camp Ayandeh 2010, including camper and counselor applications, please visit http://iranianalliances.org/camp.

Campers are encouraged to apply early as application fees will increase after April 5th, 2010.

Contact: Leyla Serway, Public Relations
Iranian Alliances Across Borders
public_relations@iranianalliances.org
iranianalliances.org

Photo credit: Natascha Romboy

We’ve got some fantastic news for all you dance/trance/house/electro-music fans!

One of the world’s number one DJ/Producers, the über-gifted Namito (pronounced na-mee-tow), also known as the mastermind behind the sexy Kling Klong-released track that has been keeping us energized and feeling homesick for some major Tehran-style partying, Train to Tehran, will be performing at this year’s Winter Music Conference in Miami on March 24th, 2010 at Tangia Lounge in South Beach. (And at the 15-year Yoshitoshi anniversary event nonetheless.)

“I am really excited to play at the Yoshitoshi birthday party,”  The Berlin-based Iranian producer tells Persianesque Magazine exclusively. “I believe it’s going to be jam packed and filled with international guests.”

How does he feel about being a part of the mega-label that houses Deep Dish and many more chart-toppers?

“I was thinking about this a few days ago…[Being represented by Yoshitoshi Records] was a dream a few years ago, that has come true. It is a good sign that with hard work, you can achieve everything you want.”

Namito’s latest single, V, debuted on Sharam’s Radio1 Essential Mix and is now available for purchase on Beatport.

Click here to buy your ticket(s) now before they’re sold out!

The line-up includes: Audiojack, John Acquaviva, Spektre, Koen Groeneveld, Namito, Nicole Moudaber, Jaxson, Helmut Dubnitzky, KaiserSouzai, Pierce, and Visuals by Happy DVJ’s (Well Done).

Photo Credit: Enzie Shahmiri

For the second year, the Freer and Sackler galleries will mark the Persian New Year, known as “Nowruz,” with traditional displays of the haft sin table, fire jumping, storytelling, live music, art making, delicious food and more. The Persian New Year formally begins March 20, the first day of spring, but the Freer and Sackler galleries will begin celebrating Sunday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dating to 3,000 B.C.E., Nowruz is rooted in Zoroastrianism, the religion of Iran before Islam, and marks the vernal equinox, or the beginning of spring. Today, it is celebrated in Iran, Central Asia and Lebanon.

“We are thrilled to host our second Nowruz event,” said Marjan Adib, head of Strategy and Policy Implementation at the galleries. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to gather from many different cultures, backgrounds and ages to celebrate the arrival of spring.”

Music: The Pejvak Ensemble, Directed by Behfar Bahadoran
Enjoy new music performed on traditional Persian instruments at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the Meyer Auditorium. The ensemble features Behfar Bahadoran on tar and setar, Faraz Minooei on santur, Pezhham Akhavass on tombak, Steve Bloom on percussion, and Shohreh Majd performing vocals. Free tickets are required for The Pejvak Ensemble and can be reserved in advance beginning 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 22, through ticketmaster.com.

Booksigning: Najmieh Batmanglij
Acclaimed chef and author Najmieh Batmanglij signs copies of her many cookbooks, including Happy Nowruz: Cooking with Children to Celebrate the Persian New Year from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Sackler shop.

Haft Sin Tables
Haft sin tables, a traditional table display created during Nowruz, will feature the seven symbolic items that Iranian families traditionally use to honor the return of spring. The tables will be located in the Freer Gallery north corridor, Sackler pavilion and ImaginAsia classroom (Sackler sublevel 2).
 
Backgammon and Fire Jumping
Families will enjoy playing the ancient Persian board game backgammon, and for those who are new to the game, members of the Northern Virginia Backgammon Club will offer introductory lessons at 12 and 2 p.m. on Sackler sublevel 1. Also, cast off the troubles of the past year and celebrate the victory of light over darkness by jumping over an artificial fire in the Sackler Pavilion or ImaginAsia classroom on Sackler sublevel 2.

Greeting Cards and Fortunes for Children
Make a Nowruz greeting card and your fortune in a fun version of the Falnama (Book of Omens) in the ImaginAsia classroom on Sackler sublevel 2.

Video: Babak and Friends: A First Norooz
In this delightful 30-minute animated film, young Babak learns about Nowruz when his cousins arrive from Iran to celebrate the New Year. Continuous screenings will be offered in the ImaginAsia classroom on Sackler sublevel 2. 

Food from Johnny’s Kabob and Mie N Yu
Johnny’s Kabob will offer lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ripley Center concourse. Snacks and tea will be available from Mie N Yu from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Freer courtyard (rain location: Freer south corridor)

For complete schedules, event locations and additional details on all Nowruz events, please visit www.asia.si.edu/nowruz.

The Nowruz celebration is made possible with the support of the Ebrahimi Family Foundation.

The Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or visit the Web site: asia.si.edu.

By now we think you’ve probably heard about the leak in the shark-holding aquarium of popular UAE attraction, Dubai Mall–which coincidentally happened one day after the very unfortunate incident at Orlando’s Sea World, where an orca trainer was drowned while performing a routine exercise with the large animal.

Check out Persian comedian, K-von’s latest adventure in Dubai–and at the Dubai Mall no-less–captured on video. 

“I promise, I did not cause the leak!” K-von tells us of his stroll by the now-infamous tank in Dubai.

You like?

We do!

In fact: we love!

Throughout time, Persian patterns have remained of the most enlightened, delicate, and precisely-detailed in the world…And we simply adore seeing more and more  parts of our often-unmentioned culture so smartly inserted into the mainstream market. (In this case; urban playgrounds, empty pools, and skateboard ramps.)

Eric Esmailzadeh Parnes’s newest creation and usable product(s): “Boards of Iran,” easily double as figurative flying carpets. (Pending upon how fast you can board.)

These beautiful urban pieces finally allow us to step (even with our dirtiest sneakers) on such recherché prints found mostly on the best of silk Persian rugs, guilt free.

“The geometric designs and intrinsic beauty of Persian rugs is well known and has been a coveted item both in the East, and West. It was only natural that these designs were chosen.” Says Parnes of his inspiration for the skateboards. ”I recreated the designs from a vast selection of different styles of rugs, and tried to portray the subtle hand crafted imperfections that make them special.”

Parnes who skateboards “in theory” because it “would either ruin the beauty of the design, or [his] body,” humorously tells us that he made this product for “rug dealers, and naturally, their children.”

I suppose it’s fair to disclose I have family that own a rug store, as well as family friends who do. (But then again who doesn’t.) I would love to set up a skateboard shop in a Bazaar as a art concept.” Adds the New York-based Iranian artist. ”It’s out there so that anyone who likes it gets it.”

Click here to purchase your own board or contact:  info@ericrobertparnes.com for more info.

February 4, 2010, Washington, DC – Now at 19 partners and counting, the coalition was formed to ensure maximum and consistent participation by Iranian Americans in the 2010 U.S. Census. The addition of new organizations strengthens and expands the coalition’s outreach and penetration, providing it with more resources and a larger platform for educating Iranian Americans nationwide and encouraging their participation in the Census.

The census is a count of everyone living in the United States. This includes people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups, as well as both citizens and non-citizens. Like many ethnic groups, Iranian Americans have traditionally been undercounted; the 2000 Census count of our community was only 338,000. This is a problem as it undermines our access to a variety of social services. The only solution is for us to register our Iranian origin, and to be counted by the Census Bureau.

The Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition is taking a proactive role to try and ensure that our community’s statistics are accurately reflected and that it has access to key services and an enhanced political voice.  With that in mind, the coalition has assembled an informational and instructional pamphlet, available both in English and Persian, to answer questions about the U.S. Census.   

Simultaneously, the coalition is developing customized messaging and communication tools specific to the Iranian American population to be rolled out nationally over the coming weeks, to help raise awareness about the U.S. 2010 Census campaign among all of the Iranian American households and communities nationwide.

Stand Up and Be Counted

The Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition includes both national and regional Iranian American organizations that have united under the common objective of educating Iranian Americans about the 2010 Census. Specific goals of this project include reaching every Iranian American household in the country to educate them about the importance of participating in the 2010 Census, to assure them that the information provided to the Census Bureau will by law be confidential, and to urge them to respond to questions relating to race, ethnicity, and national origin in a consistent manner.  In order to assure maximum outreach, the Census Coalition has hired full-time consultants to both reach out to the Iranian American community and coordinate with the U.S. Census.

For more information or to join the Iranian American 2010 Census Project contact any of the coalition partners:

Andisheh Center: www.andisheh.org

Association of Iranian American Professionals (AIAP): www.aiap.orgindex.shtml

Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats (BAIAD): www.baiad.org

Bay Area Iranian-American Voter Association (BAIVOTER): www.baivoter.org

Empowered Women United: empoweredwomenunited.com

Farhang Foundation: www.farhang.org

Iranican: www.iranican.com

Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB): www.iranianalliances.org

Iranian American Bar Association (IABA): www.iaba.us

Iranian Psychological Association of America (IPAA): www.myipaa.org

Iranian Studies Group at MIT: www.isgmit.org

National Iranian American Council (NIAC): www.niacouncil.org

Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County (NIPOC): www.nipoc.org

PARSA Community Foundation: www.parsacf.org

Persian Center www.persiancenter.org

Persian Cultural Club www.persiancenter.org  

Persianesque Magazine: www.persianesquemagazine.com

Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA): www.paaia.org

Shabeh Jomeh: www.shabehjomeh.com

U.S. Census Bureau: www.census.gov

Nader Davoodi, Untitled

Nader Davoodi is an award winning artist, photographer, photojournalist and publisher.  His work has at many times captured the zeitgeist of contemporary Iran.

Nader Davoodi’s latest works visualise the poetry of the Mo’jjam History by the 13th century A.D. Iranian poet Ghazvini.  The compilations in the Mojj’am History chronicle Iran’s Shahs (kings) from the reign of Kioumars Shah, whose reign coincides with the beginning of the epic Shahnameh (book of kings), through the end of the reign of Anushiravan Shah.

Read the full story

We are pleased to announce that the festival committee has extended the deadline of the 2nd Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival to Monday, February 22, 2010.

This year, filmmakers from all walks of life, Iranian and non-Iranian, are invited to create a music video (less than 9 minutes).

A music video is a short movie or animation that is accompanied with music of any style or genre (contemporary, pop, classical, folk, Iranian, non-Iranian, etc.). The music may be with or without lyrics and in any language. The music and the lyrics may be original or pre-existing.

Read the full story

L to R, Photo: Michelle Blioux, Model; Zadasha White - Amy Sarabi - Artwork by Amy Sarabi--All images courtesy of Lifetime

Seems like it was just last season (season six to be exact) that we got our fix of “Iranians on TV”–via the tiny Persian designer, Shirin Askari–on Lifetime’s Project Runway.

Wait…it was.

But now, there’s a new Persian girl–who’s also (originally) from Texas like her predecessor–to watch on the show of shows in Fashion, Iranian-American fashion designer: Amy Sarabi.

“My parents came to the United States in 1979.” Sarabi tells us. ”They landed in Texas where they attended Graduate School. I spent the majority of my childhood growing up in Plano, Texas: I have an older brother, Shahin and an older sister Shiva.”

The 26 year-old designer’s fascination with fashion emerged early in life: “I was always buying garments and turning them into something else, I have a vivid memory of myself standing in front of my mother’s mirror at about 6 years old putting a nightgown on the wrong way intentionally and wearing it as a little jacket.”

Already placing in the “Best 3″ category on her Project Runway scorecard for her  unconventional approach to simplicity while remaining authentic to the texture, look, and earthy color pallete of the delicious burlap creation she sent down the runway on Episode 2: The Fashion Farm, Amy’s had a stellar start on Project Runway this season.

And although she may not have enough time to “make things for [herself]” to wear, we’re confident that the “silk organza”-loving, and progressively artful honarmand (artist), Amy Sarabi will in no time be a respected voice in the fashion world, and rule her scene. (As most Persian women seem to naturally do.)

A true Persian girl at heart, Amy admits to us that her own personal style consists  of wearing “a lot of  black.” Her design aesthetic, however,  is far from being monochromatic. It’s rich and kaleidoscopic.

Enjoy Persianesque Magazine’s exclusive interview with  the fashion-theory-au-fait and forward-focused, global design-house-in-the-making source: Amy Sarabi. Read the full story

L to R, K-von, Snookie, and The Situation -- Photo Credit: K-von

At a recent industry party in Hollywood, CA, Italian-Americans and Iranian-Americans had a little more than just their homeland flag colors in common. Iranian-American comedian, K-von, was hanging with MTV’s Jersey Shore cast members and current media-obsessions, Mike “The situation” Sorrentino and Nicole “Snookie” Polizzi.

Having been on “a handful of TV shows,” K-von is in talks with producers about being on yet another show.  ”This was a great networking party for me and it became even better when the stars of one of today’s most talked about reality shows walked in the door and joined our table.” Says the “Bad Boy of Persian Comedy” of the partial Jersey Shore crew that “showed up 15 minutes after” he did.

“We talked about the show, their success, the fact that they get paid to go to parties now, and the rest was very casual stuff.” Adds K-von of his time with The Situation and Snookie. “I also congratulated Snookie on getting on Leno–since that’s been a dream of mine for years.  Most of all, I listened to them talk, so I can eventually use that harsh ‘New Joisy’ accent in my comedy act.  I can’t wait.”

The concept of ethnicity-driven shows–whether in the reality genre or not–is not only interesting but a foreseeable staple category contender in your future TV-show line-up.

So? Is it time for a Persian-filled-cast series on MTV?

“Of course,” K-von tells Persianesque Magazine. “I have been giving them ideas for possible shows for 5 years now. I think I’m like an annoying kid that keeps asking his parents for things. I bet I can wear them out! I think they should have a show where they send a beautiful Persian girl and a half-Persian comedian around the world to party at the most exotic hot spots and do on-site filming of the trip. Each week it could be somewhere different like: Dubai, Hawaii, Thailand, or Paris.  It’d be a mix of the Travel Channel and the Real World; I would call it ‘Persians in Paradise.’”

Click here to connect with K-von on Facebook or, click here to follow K-von on Twitter.

Iranian-American Actor/Comedian: Maz Jobrani, Original Photo: MazJobrani.com

Iranian-American actor and mega-comedian, Maz Jobrani, is set to star in ABC’s first Iranian-American comedy pilot based on Firoozeh Dumas’s book about growing up in the 1970s in Newport Beach, California: Funny in Farsi.

For those that know, Persian humor is truly some of the most clever and unique form of comedy. And with Maz Jobrani’s timing and skills, we’re positive that he’ll be providing some authentic Persian flavor to the mainstream tube; which will surely prove to be funny in English as well.

How does Maz feel about being a part of this project?

“Like Tony the Tiger,” he tells us. “Grrrrrrreeeat!”