Calendar of Events
Published: Friday May 18, 2012
New York/New Jersey
May 18, 8 PM, New York City. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, President of the Fund for Armenian Relief and The Friends of the FAR Children Center will host a banquet in honor of Armenia's children to support underprivileged children of Armenia, featuring a live band performance. At Kavookjian Hall, 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016. For more information and tickets visit http://www.farusa.org/ or call 212.889.5150. The favor of your reply is requested by May 7.
May 19, 7:30 PM, Garden City, N.Y. The Annual Gala Dinner Dance for Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School will be held at the Garden City Country Club. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a multi-course dinner served at 9 PM. Kevork Artinian from Montreal will provide the evening's entertainment. Your contribution to the commemorative booklet, as well as your $130 admission donation, will greatly assist HMADS to continue its educational mission. For further information on the Gala Dinner Dance and how you can be part of this organization, please call the school office at (718) 225- 4826, Negdar Arukian at (718) 423-4813, Siran Saroyan at (718) 224-0121, or Siragan Varolian at (718) 631-7131.
May 22, 7 PM, New York City. Poets from the metropolitan New York area will gather in celebration of the World Poetry Movement organization established in 2011. The event will be hosted by author Nancy Agabian and will include reading and music by Amir Parsa, Sandra A. García- Betancourt, Lola Koundakjian, Vasyl Makhno, Alan Semerdjian and Alhaji Papa Susso. At the Nuyurican Poets Café, 236 East 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009. $10 entrance. For more information visit, http://www.wpm2011.org.
May 30, 7 PM, Staten Island, N.Y. Republican Candidate for State Assembly from Staten Island's 61st district Paul Sariyan is holding a fundraiser at Li Greci's Staaten, 697 Forest Avenue, Staten Island NY 10310. Open bar & live entertainment by Russ Martone performing "The Sinatra Experience." $100 per person. RSVP by May 29 to 718-983-0075.
June 6, 7 PM, New York City. Armenia Tree Project (ATP) and the Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE) will jointly support a new environmental project in Margahovit Village, in Armenia's Lori region, and will hold a fundraising event titled "Regardening of Eden," at Hotel Chantelle (92 Ludlow Street New York, NY 10002). Tickets are $75 in advance and $100 at the door, and complimentary tapas and cocktails will be served. All of the ticket proceeds will be allocated to the project and are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Benefit tickets may be purchased by calling Jason Sohigian at ATP Watertown at (617) 926-8733 ext. 14, or by visiting http://www.regardeningofeden.org.
June 9-10, New York City. The Armenian Students' Association (ASA) holds the 62nd annual Artists' Ball at ACA Galleries located at 529 West 20th Street in Manhattan's world-renowned art district Chelsea. Patrons of the upcoming Artists' Ball will be treated to the works of a highly talented and prolific pool of 23 artists from all over the world, including Kamee Abrahamian, Nishan Akgulian, Eliz Alahverdian, Seth Alexander, Steve Altan, Virginia Arakelian, Gagik Aroutiunian, Nerses Chorekchyan, Eric Hairabedian, Hakob Hakobyan, Aram Kailian, Ara Kantardjian, Eileen Karakashian, Tanya Kechichian, Kevork Mourad, Rudik Petrosyan, Alina Poroshina, Simon Samsonian, Serli, Khach Turabian, Christina Vandian, Tigran Vardanian and Roubina Vartan. For more information go to www.asainc.org/artistsball or email ArtistsBall@asainc.org.
June 14, 7 PM, New York City. The Children of Armenia Fund will hold a Summer Soiree at Dream Hotel penthouse at 355 West 16th Street (between 8th and 9th ave.) in downtown Manhattan will all proceeds benefiting programs in rural Armenia. Hosted by Anna Condo and Patricia Field and featuring cocktails & hors d'oevres. Pre-sale tickets are $150 and are on sale at http://www.coafkids.org/media-and-events/2012-summer-soiree.
June 16, noon-7 PM, New Rochelle, N.Y. Annual picnic on the scenic and spacious grounds of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary (150 Stratton Road New Rochelle, NY 10804 Tel: (914) 636-2003) featuring Armenian food -- including luleh and chicken kebob meals, lahmajoun, paklava -- music with the John Berberian Ensemble, children's activities, an Attic Treasures sale, Baykar the Armenian Vendor, children's author Talene Dadian White, and more! $50 Super Raffle tickets with a chance to win three great cash prizes. Winners announced at the conclusion of this afternoon event. Free parking and admission. Rain or shine... tent coverage provided.
June 24, 12:30 PM, Elberon, N.J. St. Stepanos Armenian Church holds its annual picnic with authentic Armenian food, music and dance right by the Jersey Shore. Rain or Shine! At the church grounds located at 1184 Ocean Avenue, Elberon, NJ 07740 Contact Taleen Terjanian at (732) 216-7970 with any questions.
New England
May 20, 2 PM, Watertown, Mass. The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) opens an exhibit "Bound for Glory: 500 Years of Armenian Printing at ALMA's 2nd floor (65 Main Street, Watertown MA 02472); on view through November 30. Refreshments will be served on the 3rd Floor Gallery. Free for ALMA members and for non-members: Free on Opening Day only (May 20). The exhibit draws on the museum's extensive collection of antiquarian and modern publications. For more information call 617-926-2562 or visit http://www.almainc.org.
June 8, 8 PM, Boston. The Friends of Armenian Culture Society will present the 61th annual Armenian Night at the Pops at Boston's Symphony Hall. The evening will feature the young clarinet sensation Narek Arutyunian. Music director Keith Lockhart will lead the Boston Pops orchestra. 19-year-old Arutyunian will perform Vittorio Monti's Czardas; ‘Kroonk' by Komitas, and the Jazz Clarinet Concerto by legendary clarinetist Artie Shaw. The evening will also pay tribute to American song-writer Cole Porter as part of Pops' 2012 celebration theme, Visions of America. Broadway stars Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie will perform a collection of songs, including Another Opening, Anything Goes, Another Show and So In Love. Tickets for the concerts are available for purchasing online at http://www.facsboston.org/.
July 20-22, Watertown, Mass. The third annual Boston Kermesse: One Town - One Tent festival returns to showcase the historical, cultural, artistic and culinary treasures of the Armenian community at Armenian Cultural Educational Center (ACEC) at 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA 02472. Entertainment for children of all ages will be offered along with ample culinary offerings reflecting the presence of Armenian life in many corners of the world. As for entertainment, Arman Hovanisyan, Harout Pamboukjian, Onnik Dinkjian, John Berberian, Mal Barsamian, Classic Groove and others will provide lively entertainment during the course of the festival. This family oriented festival is being organized by the ACEC to help sustain the cultural and educational endeavors of the Center. The Center supports the activities of the ARS, AYF, Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, and St. Stephen's Day, Saturday and Sunday Schools. For advertising opportunities please contact Mr. Baykar Dervishian at 508.667.2980 or acec@acecwatertown.org.
Mid-Atlantic
May 19, 2 PM, Washington, DC. In conjunction with the exhibit on Armenian printing tradition, The Library of Congress presents a performance by cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan at the Coolidge Auditorium of the Thomas Jefferson building, located at 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C. Hakhnazaryan is a Young Concert Artists laureate who captured the First Prize and Gold Medal at the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition in June 2011. The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and are available through http://www.ticketmaster.com/.
May 20, 1:30 PM, Bethesda, Md. Greater Metropolitan Washington Area Section (GMWAS) of the Armenian Engineers & Scientists of America, Inc. (AESA) hosts "The Hidden Life of Our Violent Universe & Challenges of Astronomy in Armenia." by astronomy professor Vladimir Airapetian. At Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church, Arabian Community Center, Keshishian Hall, 4906 Flint Drive, Bethesda, MD 20816. Following church services. Free and open to the public.
May 20, 1PM, Wynnewood, Penn. St. Sahag & St. Mesrob church presents a Women's Guild luncheon and performance of "Gamavor," a musical directed by Hourig Papazian-Sahagian. Featuring the actors, musicians, and ensemble from the popular productions The Way We Were and Hello Ellis Island. At Memorial Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy.
May 20, 5 PM, Washington. DC headquarters of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) at 1711 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 hosts the ANCA Telethon 2012 viewing party. Join us for one hour or all six hours. Food, drink and lively conversation will be provided throughout the evening. For more information visit http://www.anca.org/.
June 2, 1-6 PM, Alexandria, Va. 20th Annual Alexandria Armenian festival will take place at 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA (at the fountain in front of City hall). The Armenian Institute of Young Artists" will be displaying their original artwork on hand-crafted greeting cards. For more info link to http://armenianfestivals.wordpress.com/category/armenian-festivals.
Midwest
May 24-28, Chicago. Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) holds its General Assembly and Sports Weekend. Participants stay at Hotel Sax with a rate of $159.99/night plus tax. Sporting events at Windy City Fieldhouse. For more information visit http://www.acyoa.org/. Registration online only.
California
May 18, 7:30 PM, Sierra Madre. Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) hosts a wine tasting event sponsored by Mission Wine & Spirits at the Mankerian Residence, 590 Acacia St., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. $50 donation. RSVP to Salpi at 626-355-3789 or Robert at 626-794-7026. Featuring more than 15 California wineries serving fine wines paired with hors d'oevres.
May 18-20, Glendale. The Armenian Bar Association holds its 23rd Annual Meeting and Weekend at the Glendale Hilton focusing on legal and civil rights issues both in the United States and the Republic of Armenia, including a presentation by Yerevan-based investigative journalist Edik Baghdasaryan, and culminating with dinner banquet on May 19, which will feature a Who's Who of local and state jurists, lawyers and politicians. The keynote speaker at the gala banquet will be Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti. For information contact either ABA Executive Director Jacklin Boyadjian, at jackieb@armenianbar.com or her assistant, Lisa Boyadjian, at lisa@armenianbar.com.
May 19, 11 AM, Glendale. ARPA Institute hosts an all-day conference on "Current Issues Facing Armenia and the Diaspora," with lectures and panel discussions by scholars and experts, culminating in a Gala Banquet to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of ARPA. Conference will be at the Glendale Public Library (222 E. Harvard Street) and the Banquet will be held at 7:30 p.m. ($75 donation), at the Dream Palace Banquet Hall (510 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA), following the conference. For information contact Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818) 453-0618 or info@ARPAInstitute.org.
May 19, 7 PM, Burbank. "Armenian Games and Traditions" art exhibition by Armen Atanyan will take place at Zorayan museum of the Western Diocese, 3325 North Glenoaks blvd. For information contact info@armenianchurchwd.com.
May 20, 1 PM, Fresno. Members and friends of the First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno will salute Senior Pastor Mgrdich Melkonian, his wife Houri, and their family at an Appreciation Luncheon for his nine years as pastor in central California and ahead of his next assignment with Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Republic of Armenia next July. The luncheon will be catered by Pardini's of Fresno at the FAPC Fellowship Hall, 430 South First Street at historic Huntington Boulevard. Reservations are $25 per adult, $15 per child age 12 and younger, and tables of eight are available. Retired appellate jurist Steven M. Vartabedian will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Reservations information may be obtained by calling Mary Lou Bagdasarian at (559) 255-6630.
May 20, 5:30 PM, Mission Hills. Valley Guild of Ararat Home hosts a benefit dinner-show "A taste of World Music" featuring Element Band. At Ararat Home Deukmejian Ballroom, 15105 Mission Hills Rd., Mission Hills, CA. RSVP by May 12 to Susan Kardashian at 818-825-9178. Adults $65, students $45.
May 28, 11 AM - 3 PM, Fresno. Fresno's First Armenian Presbyterian Church will mark Memorial Day 2012 by holding its 115th Annual Picnic in the heartland of the Golden State. The picnic will take place at the Central Unified Aquatics Complex, 3535 North Cornelia Avenue at Dakota Avenue in Fresno. The Complex is located at the Central high School East Campus, one and one-half miles west of State Highway 99. Admission is $5 per person and includes an All-American lunch and access to swimming and sports activities. For information call (559) 237-6638 or e-mail fapc@fapc.net.
May 30, 7 PM, Burbank. The Zorayan museum at the Western Diocese, 3325 North Glenoaks blvd. hosts a book signing event for Karen Kondazian's critically acclaimed debut novel "The Whip," based on the life of Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst (1812-1879), a woman who lived as a man in the old west and became the first woman to vote in America (under disguise). Proceeds will benefit Armenia's Writers' Union. Refreshments will be served. For information contact info@armenianchurchwd.com and http://www.thewhipnovel.com/.
May 30, 7 PM, Glendale. The Friends of the UCLA Armenian Language and Culture Studies, a university recognized organization liaising with the Armenian community of Southern California, will hold a symposium featuring presentations by four students from the graduate program in Armenian Studies, Shushan Karapetian, Ara Soghomonian, Liana Vardanyan, and Xi Yang on the topics of their doctoral research. The event is to be held at the Glendale Public Library. (222 E. Harvard St., Glendale CA 91205). For further information, please contact us at (310) 275-2767 or (818) 952-1058. Refreshments will be served before the symposium. All are invited to attend.
May 31, 7 PM, Glendale. Glendale Public Library invites the public to a lecture and book signing with Dr. Rosemary Hartounian Cohen, author of "The Mother of Jerusalem is Crying" at the Glendale Central Library Auditorium, 222 East Harvard Street. The lecture is in English. The book will be reviewed by journalist Ari Noonan, and there will be an open discussion after the presentation with the author herself. Admission is free and the seating is limited. For information contact Elizabeth Grigorian at (818) 548-3288 or egrigorian@ci.glendale.ca.us.
June 1-2, La Canada. An exhibit of oil paintings and sculpture by artist Koko titled "In shadow" will be on view at the Stephanie's Art Gallery from June 1 to August 25. Opening Reception will take place at June 1, 6 to 10 PM and on June 2 from classical music. This exhibition, 'In Shadow' is based on a unique painting technique developed by KOKO for this collection. Sculptures were created from scenes of the opera and projected with light to create shadows that were painted on canvas. The paintings create such a powerful sense of movement with a sensible use of vibrant colors. At this exhibition, viewers will find a connection with KOKO's paintings and be part of a visual exploration of the famous opera Don Giovanni. 4 to 8 PM. Artist will be available for catalog signing. The Art Gallery is located at 466 Foothill Blvd. La Cañada, CA 91011. For more information call 818 790-4905 or visit http://www.atelierkoko.com/.
June 7, 10 AM, Toluca Lake. Westside Ararat Guild presents "Game Day 2012" at the Lakeside Gold Club, 4500 West Lakeside Drive, Toluca Lake. Coffee will be available, then the card games begin, followed by lunch. Join us for games or come for lunch and socializing. Donation $40. For information and reservations contact Louise Arklin at (818) 368-3263.
June 10, 5 PM, Long Beach. The tenth installment of the famed "DioNicEss" food & drink pairing series is coming to Long Beach's celebrated Beachwood BBQ & Brewing (210 E 3rd St, Long Beach). Tickets must be purchased in advance at http://www.itsmyseat.com/events/820216.html; admission is $80 per person, all-inclusive, with proceeds benefitting the Real Medicine Foundation initiative in Armenia. Inquiries can be directed to: dionicessgigs@gmail.com.
June 19, 7 PM, Burbank. California Supreme Court Justice Hon. Judge Armand Arabian will present his book "From Gravel to Gavel" at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church (3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504). For information email info@armenianchurchwd.com or call (818) 558-7474.
June 22, 8 PM, Pasadena. Artists for Kids in association with the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia present, "A Night at the Opera" staring world-renowned soprano Hasmik Papian. All proceeds will go to charity and tickets range from $50 to $125 seats. At the Ambassador Auditorium (131 St. John Ave. in Pasadena). For information and tickets call 818.808.8222 or email info@armeniaconsulatela.org.
June 22, 8 PM, Encino. Mediterranean Soiree at Alcazar (17239 Ventura Boulevard Encino, CA 91316, Tel: (818) 789-0991) featuring live entertainment by international singer Vatche, full menu of Lebanese food delicacies will support the Real Medicine Foundation's humanitarian work in rural Armenia. A fun evening with dancing, entertainment, live auction and other surprises costs $65.00 per person. For more information contact Nairy Ghazourian at nairy5@hotmail.com.