A potential cast member on Canada’s Lake Shore–a reality show where eight cast members from different backgrounds and sexual orientations move into a house together, and learn how to not step on each other’s toes–Iranian-Canadian, Roxie aka Persia, says of the forthcoming TV show: Continue Reading

Anousheh Ansari in Space Tourists--Iranian Film Festival San Francisco

Set to take place September 18-19, 2010 at the San Francisco Art institute, the 3rd Annual Iranian Film Festival San Francisco has a great roster of films on hand. Continue Reading

Lost Art original piece in Washington, DC--Photo: RJS

Recently we had the pleasure of meeting prominent (and tireless) Iranian-American artist, Farzad Kohan…And uncontrollably, he’s managed to turn us into a collector, curator, fan, and friend.

“Art is the purest vehicle of the human expression: When all else fails we communicate our emotions, our ideals, our hopes and dreams through our art.” Quips Kohan, whose ability to connect on an-almost spiritual level with his audience, still fascinates us. Continue Reading

After watching The Glass House and “finding out about the hardship and traumas that [the girls under the care of the Omid Foundation in Iran] experienced, [it] provoked feelings of sadness, anger and dismay in me,” says Mina Roshandeli of her inspiration to participate in the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge–set to take place in Hyde Park, London, UK–and her intent to raise funds for the Omid Foundation.

“…But I never even came close to imagining what those young women had been through.” Continue Reading

New York–ILLUMINATIONS (After Arthur Rimbaud) an exhibition of sculpture, video and installation by 16 well-known and emerging artists who work with light, will be on view at Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller (LTMH) Gallery from September 15 through October 15, 2010.

Inspired by a collection of poetry entitled Illuminations by Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891), the exhibition is curated by Ashok Adicéam, an independent curator and art advisor. (A fully illustrated catalogue with an essay by Adicéam will accompany the exhibition.)

Creating a revealing dialogue between artists living and working in the East and West, ILLUMINATIONS (After Arthur Rimbaud) highlights the strength of light to bind different cultures together.

As Rimbaud wrote, “…the soul for the soul, summing up everything, perfumes and sounds and colors.”

While a number of the artists are inspired by neon lighting, Iranian artist Leila Pazooki, uses blue neon tubes to sculpt a Persian word in Orientalism, 2010.

Continue Reading

It’s no secret that Iranian women are a force to be reckoned with…

So get ready to meet your latest rising star, the super-talented female entrepreneur and jewelry designer: Lisa Nik.

Previously, Executive Vice President of RC for luxury jewelry line Roberto Coin, where she worked for over a decade, the multilingual Lisa–she is fluent in Spanish, Italian, Persian, and English–is a graduate of NYU and GIA certified.

As she expands her business and brand (simply named: Lisa Nik), we got a chance to sit down with the part-time snowboarder for a quick chat. Continue Reading

L to R: Roxie "Persia" Ramedani, Melissa Karimzadeh

Jersey Shore who?

Real World what?

It’s all aboot Toronto’s Lake Shore…Eh?

“Initially the show was going to focus on a group of hipsters, of Middle-Eastern descent, but after a lot of thought, [we] thought it would be much more riveting to explore how eight extremely diverse twenty-something Torontonians co-habitate,” says producer Maryam Rahimi of her Toronto-based co-venture.

The show’s premise?

“Eight cast-members from different backgrounds and sexual orientations move into a house together, and learn how to not step on each other’s toes! It’s not a competition; it’s all about their differences!”

And with former Miss Universe Canada crown-holder, Iranian model, Samantha Tajik, as co-host and judge of the show, Lake Shore promises to provide lots of “drama”.

Twenty-five finalists–two of which are also Persian–have been already chosen so auditions are now closed, but the show still needs your help in choosing the final eight cast-members.

Of course we encourage you to vote for the Persian girls: Melissa Karmizadeh and Roxie “Persia” Ramedani.

Dubbed “The Persian”, Karimzadeh is a 20-year-old model, and believes she’s had “more life experience under [her] belt than most people will ever have.”

“I’m completely and utterly happy with the person I’ve become.” She says. “I’ve done it all, and now, I know exactly what I want: Freedom, boys, whiskey, and rock and roll. I have a very old soul and a compassionate nature, but I’ll always be a wild-child at heart!”

The other Persian dokhtar (Persian: girl) in the mix trying to win-over the judges is also nicknamed The Persian in her audition video, and is known as Persia.

“I hold it down for my thick girls.” She says. “Last thing I’ll be is Snooki. Where all others fail, Persia succeeds. I’m a satisfaction guaranteed.”

Filming on Lake Shore begins sometime late 2010 or winter/spring of 2011.

Click here to cast your vote!

Calling all Maz Jobrani fans!

You must check out these vintage videos we’ve come across, featuring your favorite Iranian-American comedian: Maz Jobrani as Belind Dater; Jamshid.

“Belind Date” written by playwright, Amir Ohebsion, is timeless and hilariously witty.

We have a feeling you don’t want to miss the hysterical banter that goes on between Maz and his co-star.

(…And don’t forget to watch part 2 of this very clever yet relatable comedy theater piece!)

Here’s a sample of what can be heard being discussed between the two young Iranian-American daters:

Jamshid: “As Khayyam used to say; ‘engaar keh neesty…cho hasti…khosh baash. Yani: Tekeelah ro boro baalaa! (Persian: It’s as though you aren’t here…when you are…be happy. Meaning: Take the Tequila shot!”