InternationalIn N.J., modern Armenian performers to celebrate centuries-old musical, dance traditions
Published: Thursday June 25, 2009
Alla Levonian.
Lodi, N.J. - On November 15, Hamazkayin will celebrate the lasting cultural legacy of the Armenian people in the "One Nation, One Culture" festival. The evening of artistic and patriotic performances will take place at the Felician College in Lodi, New Jersey.
The "One Nation, One Culture" festival will feature vocal performances by renowned Armenian singers Alla Levonian from Armenia; Babin Boghosian and Ensemble from Los Angeles; the Arekag Children's Choir and Dhol Group of Hamazkayin New Jersey. The Armenian General Benevolent Union Antranig Dance Ensemble; the Akh'tamar Dance Ensemble of the St. Thomas Armenian Church; the Yeraz Dance Ensemble of St. Sarkis Church; and the New Jersey Hamazkayin Nayiri Dance Group will delight audiences with their graceful and elegant performances of traditional and modern Armenian dances.
Alla Levonian and Bobin Boghosian
Beloved Armenian singer-songwriter Alla Levonian will travel from Armenia especially for this performance. The award-winning Levonian first began performing in 1993, at the Bohem Awards organized by Armenia's Ardzagank Studios. Since then, she has taken the stage numerous times to delight audiences with her self-penned songs, as well as her renditions of beloved Armenian folk songs. Levonian has dedicated her most recent collection of songs to Armenian mothers, to whom she wants to give "glory and honor" for their tireless devotion to the Armenian hearth and home.
Alla Levonian appeared in Las Vegas, as part of the "Armenian Stars Night" on December 27, 2008, at the Paris Hotel and Casino Ballroom and shared the stage with Armenian icon Nune Yesayan and Andy Madadian in a star-filled celebration concert. She dazzled the audience of 2,000 with her charismatic voice and traditional and jazzy folk songs.
Renowned folk singer and orator Babin Boghosian has performed throughout the world with his ensemble. Boghosian's vast repertoire of Armenian songs includes such favorites as "Dzaghig Es," "Anoush Hayasdan," and "Mayrigis."
Dance ensembles
The Antranig Dance Ensemble was established in 1969 under the auspices of the AGBU. Currently comprising over 40 young men and women, the Antranig Dance Ensemble shares its full-length dance productions, a gift of Armenian dance, with audiences throughout the United States, Canada, and Armenia.
Under the artistic direction of Joyce Tamesian-Shenloogian, the group trains throughout the year, and creates a dramatic stage production every two years. The dancers also train for three months each year with dancer and choreographer Gagik Karapetian, whose talents have also molded the State Dance Ensemble of Armenia. Antranig's dance repertoires – complemented by costumes designed and prepared by leading artisans in Armenia – range from folk-ballet and traditional Armenian dance to modern Armenian techniques and suites created for the ensemble by Karapetian.
The Akh'tamar Dance Ensemble will also be performing. Now in its 14th year, the ensemble comprises around 80 girls ages 8 to 20. This past summer, membership was also extended to young Armenian boys. There are around 15 boys ages 5 to 12 who have complemented the elegance of the group with their dynamic energy and strength. Founded by director and choreographer Sylva Asadourian in 1994, the troupe is committed to sharing the character and spirit of the Armenian people through their dances.
Hamazkayin is dedicated to the preservation and expansion of Armenian culture. With this in mind, Hamazkayin created the Nayiri Dance Ensemble to uphold the traditional dance culture of Armenia. The troupe is under the masterful direction of Arpine Hovsepian, a professional dance teacher who has performed with "Paregamoutyoun Dance Ensemble" internationally. She teaches and choreographs traditional Armenian dances.
Along with the chapter's dance group, the Hamazkayin Arekag Children's Choir will impress the audience with a performance under the direction of Vagharshak Ohanian, a professional baritone soloist and international performer who was born and raised in Yerevan and is a graduate of the city's Komitas Conservatory. The choir consists of 20 members, ages 7 to 13, and rehearses weekly.
The Yeraz Dance Ensemble of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church was established in September 1999, under the direction of Karnig Nercessian and Lena Orangian. Now, 10 years later, the group is over 80 dancers strong. A younger group ranges from ages 4 to 12 and the older group is from 13 to 22 years old. The troupe has performed extensively throughout the Eastern United States and plans a big performance to celebrate its 10th anniversary later in 2009.
Pride in culture
The Hamazkayin Dhol group started in 2008 with six adults, had its first performance at Dwight Englewood School, and practicing every week for the November festival, under the directorship of Garbis Kahwajian.
"The Armenian people have a remarkable cultural heritage that comprises two centuries of achievements and advances in art, literature, music, and dance," said Mari Keshishian, a member of the organizing committee. "Today, millions of Armenians are dispersed throughout dozens of countries around the world. But, it is the love of the Armenian culture that serves as a universal medium that binds us. This festival is a celebration of our ancestors, and a renewal of our commitment to the Armenian culture and identity."
The event is being organized by the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society Eastern USA Regional Executive. The Felician College is located at 262 South Main St., Lodi, NJ 07644-2117.
connect:
1-201-945-8992
Paradon2009@gmail.com
