CineBang!, Inspiration LA, and KIWA present:
A night of grassroots organizing, film, music, art and dance dedicated to the people of Gaza (Palestine).
When: Saturday March 21st, 2009 (screening at 7pm, music at 9pm)
Where: KIWA Cultural Education Center 3471 W. Eighth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005 Map: http://tinyurl.com/7edzkx
Come join us at this very rare event where communities ranging from grassroots movements for social change to filmmakers, musicians, artists, dancers, and more come together to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza as well as build bridges between one another. All proceeds will be donated to support direct humanitarian aid and cultural programs in Gaza.
The evening will commence with a screening of the film \\\\"Gaza Strip,\\\\" followed by a presentation by Mary Hughes-Thompson from the Free Gaza Movement. After that the night will evolve into a celebration of liberation with words and beats by Hossein Behizad (poet), Skim (MC) and Jose Marquez (DJ).
This event is all ages and open to the public. There will be a suggested donation of whatever you can afford, we suggest -20 but no one will be turned away for lack of money.
Below are the details on the program for the night:
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Film screening of \\\\"Gaza Strip\\\\" (2002) - 7pm
American documentary filmmaker James Longley (Iraq In Fragments) traveled to the Gaza Strip in January of 2001, planning to stay for two weeks and collect preliminary material for a film about the Palestinian intifada. He threw away his return ticket and stayed for another 3 months, shooting over 75 hours of material throughout the Gaza Strip. Gaza Strip follows a range of people and events following the election of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, including the first major armed incursion into \\\\"Area A\\\\" by IDF forces during this intifada. The film is filmed almost entirely in a verite style, presented without narration and with little explanation, focusing on ordinary Palestinians rather than politicians and pundits. More observation than political argument, Gaza Strip offers a rare look inside the stark realities of Palestinian life and death under Israeli military occupation.
http://littleredbutton.com/gaza
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Presentation by Mary Hughes-Thompson from Free Gaza Movement - 8:30pm
Mary Hughes-Thompson has been to the occupied West Bank multiple times since 2002 and is part of the Free Gaza Movement. Since August 2008, the Free Gaza Movement has sailed from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip on several successful voyages, bringing in international witnesses to see first hand the devastating effects of Israeli violence against the Palestinian people. Their goal is to break the siege of Gaza and to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of the Gaza Strip and pressure the international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation.
http://freegaza.org
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Poetry by Hossein Behizad - 9pm
Hossein Behizad is a poet who uses his poetic abilities to inform the world the about the true, peaceful meaning of Islam which the media unfortunately overlooks. He is not associated with any particular movement, sect, group, etc., and he absolutely condemns terrorism and any extremism done in the name of Islam. He has written a book entitled \\\\"Plural Perspectives,\\\\" performed in various cities and states across the U.S., and he was involved in the \\\\"Ummah films\\\\" short film, \\\\"Tomorrow Never Comes.\\\\"
http://spokenwordz.com
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Live performance by SKIM - 9:15pm
Fearless singer/songwriter and poet SKIM convinces ears to listen, bodies to dance, and hearts to open. Drawing from each of her experiences and environments, SKIM articulates herself through the music she creates, and captivates her audiences with raw honesty and charming humor. She mixes revolutionary visions and fiery rap lyrics with her sultry singing, while strumming a guitar. Her heart pounds as she drums with the passion of her Korean ancestry.
http://myspace.com/skimmusic
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DJ set by Jose Marquez - 9:30pm till ???
Inspiration co-creator and resident DJ Jose Marquez is known for his unique blend of underground dance and house music infused with rich afro-latin and world beat flavors. Come dressed to sweat and dance till your bodies drop as Jose takes you on a musical journey to uplift your spirit and release your soul for this rest of this inspirational night!!
http://myspace.com/inspirationla
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This event is a joint effort by CineBang! and Inspiration, with the space generously donated by KIWA.
CineBang! is a bi-monthly screening and discussion series at the KIWA Cultural Education Center. CineBang! screens documentary, fiction, animation and short films every first and third Thursday of the month, and invites community based organizers to discuss the films and current organizing efforts with the audience.
Inspiration is a music and dance gathering with a conscious mindset where artists, musicians, filmmakers, dancers, poets, party-goers and anyone else who appreciates REAL music and dance culture, can come together, express and share their creative ideas in a community atmosphere. Inspiration strives to guide, arouse and incite your mind and soul through the divine influence that we call MUSIC.
------------------------------- LINKS:
CineBang! - http://tinyurl.com/86z6oa Inspiration LA - http://inspiration-la.com | http://myspace.com/inspirationla | http://facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=56613875698&ref=nf
------------------------------- (+1) 607.351.5559 (+1) 805.807.5358
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