1st- and 2nd-Generation Iranian-Americans

The 2009 Danesh Conference, "First- and Second-Generation Iranian-Americans: The Significance of Mutual Understanding and Support" will be held 23 October on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. Presenters at the conference include Ali Akbar Mahdi, Ohio Wesleyan University; and Reza Varjavand and Mitra Fallahi, Saint Xavier University.

Chaired by Irene Queiro-Tajalli, president of the Danesh Institute, the conference planning committee includes Sara Allaei, Cyrus Behroozi, Shayda Bradley, Mary Hegland, Patricia Higgins, Yahya Kamalipour, and John Walbridge.

Established in 1994, the Danesh Institute is a nonpolitical, independent, not-for-profit educational organization. The Institute is incorporated in the State of Indiana and recognized as a 501(c)(3) corporation by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

The purpose of the Institute is to stimulate and promote scholarly studies related to contemporary Iranian society and to Iranian communities abroad, particularly the United States. The Institute has pursued this purpose by offering annual conferences, sponsoring special projects, and publishing newsletters and bulletins.

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Lotus Festival: World Music & Arts

The Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, set for 24-27 September in Bloomington, has so much going on it's hard to settle on just one aspect.

For example, here are just some of the performers scheduled to appear:

# Rahim AlHaj / Friday
Virtuoso Iraqi oud

# Bajofondo / Saturday
Electrotango from Argentina

# BLK JKS / Saturday
Psychedelic, Afro-futuristic rock from South Africa

# Cara Dillon / Friday, Saturday
Irish traditional song

# Forro in the Dark / Saturday
Northeastern Brazilian party music

# Hanggai / Saturday, Sunday
Folk music from Inner Mongolia & China

# Huun Huur-Tu & Carmen Rizzo / Friday
Electronica meets throat-singing from Tuva

# Kinobe & Soul Beat Africa / Friday, Saturday
Ugandan song, dance, & drumming

# Srinivas Krishnan & Madras Broadcast / Saturday, Sunday
Indian fusion

# Little Cow / Thursday, Friday
Ska/rock/funk/Gypsy fusion from Hungary

# Los de Abajo / Friday, Saturday
Salsa, punk, and rock from Mexico

# The Megitza Quartet / Friday
Roma and East European world fusion

# Occidental Brothers Dance Band International / Friday
Central & West African dance music

# Orchestra of Tetouan / Friday, Saturday
Traditional vocal & instrumental music of Andalusia & North Africa

# Parno Graszt / Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Hungarian Gypsy music

# Salaam / Saturday
Middle Eastern & North African traditional music

# Väsen / Thursday
Contemporary instrumental folk music from Sweden

# Vishtén / Saturday, Sunday
Acadian traditional music, song, and dance

# Watcha Clan/ Friday, Saturday
Global fusion from France

# The Zolfonoon Ensemble of Iran / Saturday
Classical Persian

Did you know that the festival honors Lotus Dickey (1911-1989)? The folk singer, songwriter, and musician from rural Orange County, Indiana, wrote tunes and songs that drew from his family and community, as well as from country singers and fiddlers he heard on the radio. Each year, the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival honors Lotus Dickey's memory with a set of music or an interactive workshop that introduces new audiences to his music and the old-time traditions of the United States.

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Forum on Election Protests in Iran

A panel of Indiana University faculty and students will present a forum on the recent elections and protests in Iran tomorrow (18 July). The question-and-answer session will begin at 4 p.m. in Ernie Pyle Auditorium in the IU School of Journalism, 940 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, reports the IU News Bureau. The public is invited.

Panelists will include:
* Daniel Beben, a Ph.D. student in Iranian history in the departments of history and Central Eurasian studies
* Jamsheed Choksy, professor of Central Eurasian studies, history and religious studies and a member of the National Council on the Humanities
* Shahyar Daneshgar, professor of Persian language in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies
* Paul Losensky, professor of Persian language and literature in the departments of Central Eurasian studies and comparative literature
* Abdulkader Sinno, professor of Middle Eastern politics in the departments of political science and Near Eastern languages and cultures.

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Shared Beauty: Eastern Rugs & Western Purses

Though beaded purses were fashionable through the 19th and early 20th centuries, they became extremely popular in the 1920s as an integral part of the flapper-era costumes, greatly complementing the period’s beaded evening dresses. A wide variety of patterns were depicted on these bags, including flowers, trees, birds, animals, landscapes and other popular motifs.

However, some of the most fashionable designs were copied from the patterns of Persian, Turkish, Caucasian, and Indian carpets and textiles.

In "Shared Beauty: Eastern Rugs & Western Purses", an exhibition at Indianapolis Museum of Art continuing through 8 March 2009, beaded bags are displayed alongside rugs with similar patterns. This juxtaposition explores the motifs common to these objects, provides a closer look at Orientalism, and investigates the influences of Eastern art on Western art, fashion, and culture.

International Interfaith Symposium

An innovative series of programs kicks off tomorrow evening with “Stories and Photos from the Middle East, 1978-2003”, a presentation by Bill Foley, photojournalist, at 7 p.m. in Marian College's Allison Mansion.

The event, titled “International Interfaith Symposium”, kicks into high gear on Wednesday (19 March), with all events in the Campus Center at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

The first speaker (2 p.m.) is Klaus Martin Finzel, founder of the International Interfaith Initiative, followed by Giles Hoyt (discussing German philanthropist Mas Kade), Robert J. Helfenbein (on faith and civil society), Bill Foley and others discussing the Middle East, Shaw Towfighi (Persian New Year), Henry Cole (citizen diplomacy), Ref. Felipe Martinez and John Clark (Hispanic America).

Thursday’s (20 March) packed schedule, also in the Campus Center of IUPUI, begins with a youth dialogue (10 a.m.) and continues through the day with Dr. Chalmer Thompson, Ayumi Suzuki, Terry Morris-Downs, Sally Brown, Michael Greven, Charlie Wiles, Dr. Kevin Logan and more.

A film festival and book discussions will take place on Friday and Saturday (21-22 March). Exhibits will be open on the fourth floor of IUPUI’s Campus Center between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. All events are free and open to the public.

The complete schedule is here. For more information, see website or call Charlie McDonald, 317:283-2730.

International Interfaith Initiative is a collaborative effort between Indiana University School of Education’s Center for Urban and Multicultural Education, Peace Learning Center, Max Kade German American Center, Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, and members of the Indianapolis community - all working toward the realization of the vision to create a network that facilitates and initiates interfaith cooperation to strengthen civil society.