FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tamar Fortgang
213-237-2873 (do not publish)
REDCATpr@calarts.edu

Axis of Love World Music and Dance Festival at REDCAT

December 20, 21
8:30 p.m. both evenings
$24 - general
$12 - students

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December 3, Los Angeles - The Axis of Love World Music and Dance Festival makes it debut December 20 & 21 at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater) CalArts' new performance venue and gallery in Walt Disney Concert Hall. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. both evenings. Tickets may be purchased at the REDCAT box office located at the corner of 2nd and Hope streets, by calling 213-237-2800 or online here.

The Axis of Love Festival is presented by CalArts in collaboration with the Sangeet School of World Music and the Persian American Cultural Center with co-sponsorship from Amnesty International. The festival features Persian and American artists who will perform world music with an emphasis on unity and collaboration between cultures inspired by the holiday season. Performing will be some of Los Angeles' leading world music ensembles: Arohi Ensemble, Hands On'Semble and the Liän Ensemble with the Shahrzad Dance Academy. These groups draw influences from and explore the commonalities in the musical traditions of Persia, India, Africa, Brazil and the U.S. Throughout the weekend the artists of the respective ensembles will collaborate and share the stage in cross-cultural performance.

A detailed festival schedule follows:

Saturday, Dec. 20th 8:30pm

Arohi with John Bergamo & Hands On'Semble
"Hands On'Semble is a stellar percussion group... with extraordinary soloing, and an extensive palette of sounds." -Modern Drummer Magazine

"Arohi creates exciting World Music... Arohi transitions seamlessly between different instruments and styles. It is music that takes you on a journey." -India Journal

Hands On'Semble is devoted to the art of hand drumming blending the rhythmic concepts, techniques and music of India, the Middle East, West Africa, Indonesia, South America and the West. The group is led by world-renowned percussionist and composer John Bergamo and features fellow percussionists Randy Gloss, Andrew Grueschow, and Austin Wrinkle. http://www.handsonsemble.com

Arohi Ensemble features Paul Livingstone on a variety of "world strings" with and without frets including 9- and 11- string guitars and requinto jarocho; flute virtuoso and "world wind" phenomenon Pedro Eustache from Venezuela; percussionist Leonice Shinneman on Afro-Indian percussion/drum set; and bassist Anand Bennett on 7-string electric mandocello and contrabass. Members of the group all play traditional and contemporary instruments that they have designed and redefined themselves. "Arohi" is a term from Indian classical music that means "ascending melody." Paul's latest CD, "Arohi" incorporates a unique variety of traditional and contemporary instruments from over ten different cultures in a collection of original, creative world music pieces and improvisations. http://www.tanpura.com/

Sunday, Dec. 21st 8:30pm

Liän Ensemble & Shahrzad Dance Academy
"The Liän Ensemble. world class Persian musicians." -Newsound Music

Liän Ensemble was formed in 1997 with the intention of introducing Persian music to as wide an audience as possible. Members of Liän represent many years of experience in teaching and performing music around the globe. Liän's goal for this concert is to increase awareness and recognition of Persian culture, art and literature. Today, close to one million Persians live in California, yet, the ensemble believes, that little is done to harmonize the community within the larger society. Liän strives toward collaboration between cultures and the mutual enrichment of people of all backgraounds. The group features Calarts alumna Pirayeh Pourafar on tar; Houman Pourmehdi on tonbak, daf, and cajon; Calarts faculty Randy Gloss on percussion; Mahshid Mirzadeh on santur; vocalists Soleyman Vaziri and Siamak Shajarian. music@lianrecords.com, http://www.lianrecords.com (310) 477-8617

Shahrzad Dance Academy (SDA) is a professional dance company formed in 1995 and incorporated in 1996 by Shahrzad "Shazzy" Khorsandi. The academy provides formal training in Persian dance to students of all ages, focusing on contemporary and classical Persian and fusion choreography. The ensemble performs at various cultural events, lecture-demonstrations, and 1-2 company concerts a year in Northern California, in addition to collaborating on dance productions with various organizations. The academy also produces instructional and performance Persian dance videos, which are sold to the public and libraries nationally and internationally. Shahrzad@value.net http://www.shahrzaddanceacademy.org

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