PCC NEWS
PCC’s Board Meetings
Persian Cultural Center’s board of directors holds its meetings every second Wednesday of the month virtually, via Zoom. The last two meetings took place on November 13 and December 11, 2024.
Film & Discussion Series – October 27, 2024
The October Film and Discussion program hosted a screening of the movie The Brick & The Mirror, directed by Ebrahim Golestan. Mahmoud Reza Pirouzian moderated a Q&A session with the guest of the program, Mr. Fardin Saheb-Zamani. There was also a look at the life and works of Ebrahim Golestan and the film was reviewed.
FarYad, A Play – November 2, 2024
The play FarYad, starring Borzou Arjmand, Ehsan Karami, and Mina Deris, went on stage in San Diego on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Written by Ehsan Karami, it is the story of an Iranian couple, one of whom is a female singer and the other who sings at funerals.
Tunes of the Zagros, Iranian Folk Music – November 9, 2024
In November, there was another memorable night at the Iranian American Center with the amazing performance of Faraj Alipour, the renowned kamancheh player and singer from the heart of Zagros Mountain range, Khorramabad. He was accompanied by Moslem Alipour on Kamancheh and vocal, Sirvan Manhoobi on oud, Behfar Bahadoran on tar, and Reza Sarlak on tombak. They performed songs from various sections of Zagros, from Bakhtiari, Lorestan, Kurdistan, and Azerbaijan. The audience enjoyed the concert immensely.
A Poet and a Poem – November 20, 2024
The 35th session of “A Poet and a Poem” took place on November 20. This virtual session featured the biography and poems of “Falaki Shirvani,” and was presented by members of the Poetry and Literature Group—Farshad Babakhani, Fariba Babakhani, andSepideh Shamloufard—along with young students from ISSD (Hajar Sattarzadeh and Ryan Sharafi). There was no session of “A Poet and a Poem” in December due to the observance of holidays.
Jong e Farhangi – November 22, 2024
The program began with a screening of The Dawn is Too Far–Stories of Iranian American Life. Host Ali Sadr introduced the guest, Dr. Persis Karim, co-producer of the film and Director of the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University. The discussion focused on the circumstances surrounding the documentary’s creation and the characters featured in it. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session with the audience. A recording of the event is available on the PCC’s YouTube channel.
Avaa Singing Talent Show – December 7, 2024
Avaa music band, based in the Bay Area, organized this show to discover singing talents, marking their first event in San Diego. The band performed several songs before eight official contenders showcased their talents with the live band. The judge, Farhad Bahrami, a musician and band leader, provided valuable feedback and recommendations to the performers. At the end of the show, the audience voted for the top three contestants: Karan Dariani, Jonam Shapouri, and Behnad Alamdar. Sixteen-year-old Jonam Shapouri, a student at the Iranian School of San Diego, received the most votes and secured first place, winning a free studio recording of one song by Avaa Production. The program continued with additional performances by the band and some audience members.
Film & Discussion Series – December 8, 2024
The December program was dedicated to the film Lantouri, directed by Reza Dormishian, produced in 2016. This film was screened at the Iranian American Center and was reviewed in person and virtually during the second part of the program. The program host and moderator was Mahmoud Reza Pirouzian.
Yalda Celebration at IAC – December 14, 2024
PCC celebrated the ancient traditional Yalda at the Iranian American Center with Shourangiz band from Orange County performing some traditional Persian songs. The guests gathered around the Yalda table and recited poetry and songs and enjoyed Aash e reshteh and Aajil.
Youth Committee (PCCYC)
The PCC Youth Committee held its monthly meeting at IAC on Friday, November 15, 2024. The committee’s activities during the last few months are summarized as follows:
Seminar on College Enrollment: The committee hosted an informative seminar on college enrollment, focused on guiding students and their families through the application process. The seminar covered topics such as essay writing, financial aid, and choosing the right college. Expert speaker, Heidi Bridges, provided valuable insights and answered audience questions. Attendees praised the seminar for its relevance and clarity, with many expressing their appreciation for the practical advice shared during the session.
Family Night with Live Music: Members put together a lively and heartwarming Family Night event featuring live music. Families came together to enjoy performances by one of the members, Ronica Najmabadi, who gave a beautiful violin performance. The event also included fun activities for children and refreshments for everyone to enjoy. This evening strengthened community bonds and offered a delightful experience for all attendees.
Visit to a Nursing Home:
Some of the members visited a local nursing home to bring joy and connection to its residents. The event included interactive activities, storytelling, and music, creating a warm and cheerful environment. Two members, Romteen Azmodeh and Hanah Hajsattari, played music during the visit, adding a special touch that was deeply appreciated by the residents. This event fostered community spirit and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on both the residents and participants.
Food Drive: During the month of November, the committee organized a food drive to support the San Diego Food Bank. Thanks to the incredible efforts of volunteers and donors, 642 lbs of food were collected. The donations were greatly appreciated by the Food Bank, which commended the community for its generosity and dedication. This effort showcased the power of collective action and underscored the importance of helping those in need.
