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THE PERSIAN SQUARE  BY IRAN DAVAR ARDALAN
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Rich with evocative images and vignettes, The Persian Square spans the extraordinary range of Iranian-American self expression, chronicling the myriad and indelible contributions Iranian emigres have made over their decades, fashioning American lives out of Persian identity and traditions

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‘IRANIAN TABOO’, A DOCUMENTARY BY REZA ALLAMEHZADEH
Exposing the Islamic regime’s attacks against the followers of the Baha’i Faith in Iran

Los Angeles, CA, February 10, 2012 – Iranian Taboo, a documentary by Reza Allamehzadeh, will begin screening in Los Angeles from February 24 to March 1 at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills and in DC, San Diego, Atlanta, Orlando, Montreal, Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco and Seattle in the following days. 

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RANA FARHAN’S GROUNDBREAKING NEW ALBUM “MOON AND STONE” NOW AVAILABLE

Iranian artist continues to captivate international audiences with her unique fusion of Jazz, Blues, and Classical Persian poetry that transcends time and erases all borders

LOS ANGELES, August 19, 2011 – Butterfly Buzz announced today that Iranian born artist, Rana Farhan, has released her latest album, “Moon and Stone”, which is followed by a three-city concert tour starting in New York on September 3rd, Los Angeles on September 17th, and San Francisco on October 2nd.

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‘CIRCUMSTANCE’ SLATED FOR LATE SUMMER RELEASE
A groundbreaking, sensual film about youth in search of freedom in Iran

Los Angeles, CA, July 21, 2011Circumstance, the winner of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, will be released in Los Angeles and New York on August 26, 2011 and in Chicago, San Francisco, and D.C. on September 9, 2011.

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‘ZOHREH & MANOUCHEHR’ Special theatrical collaboration featuring Paris-based theater actors Azizollah Bahadori and Sadreddin Zahed, reunited on stage with Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam and KamyR

Los Angeles, CA - June 20, 2011 – Legendary, Paris-based actors Azizollah Bahadori and Sadreddin Zahed, together with renowned theater/dance artist, Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam and Persian music sensation, KamyR, will collaborate during a three-day theatrical and musical engagement, titled "Zohreh & Manouchehr," on July 15, 16, and 17, 2011 at the world-class Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, located at 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

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SEPIDEH RAISSADAT for the first time in Los Angeles, together with composer and tar virtuoso, IMAN VAZIRI and guest artist, DARA AFRAZ, tonbak

Los Angeles, CA June 16, 2011 - Persian classical vocalist and musician Sepideh Raissadat will be touring the U.S. for the first time this summer together with tar virtuoso Iman Vaziri. They will be accompanied by various guest artists at each show during this four-city tour. Dara Faraz on tonbak will be joining the Ensemble in Los Angeles, which will take place at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Magnin Auditorium on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 7 p.m.

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World Premiere of Niloufar Talebi’s Ātash Sorushān (Fire Angels) at Carnegie Hall

Los Angeles, February 22, 2011 – Butterfly Buzz announced today the world premiere of Ātash Sorushān (Fire Angels), a libretto written by writer, theater artist, and award-winning translator, Niloufar Talebi, at Carnegie Hall in New York on March 29, 2011, and the West Coast premiere at Cal Performances in Berkeley on April 3, 2011.

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DEATH, A VERY SERIOUS COMEDY
Premiering in Los Angeles on February 19, 2011
A new, comedic play exploring the causes and consequences of one immigrant’s misguided pursuit of the American dream

Los Angeles, CA – February 7, 2011 – Sublime Entertainment and Soul Mining Productions present Death, A Very Serious Comedy, a satirical play about an Iranian-American’s surreal journey in the afterlife, premiering on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

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Echoes in Blue an Exhibition of Contemporary Iranian Art from Tehran Opens October 16 through November 14, 2010 at James Gary Gallery, Bergamot Station, Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 16, 2010Echoes in Blue, an exhibition of contemporary Iranian paintings, provides a vibrant and thought-provoking view of life within the boundaries of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Curated by Iranian-born Homa Taraji, in association with Dr. Alireza Sami Azar, former director of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and a consultant to Christie's, this show features 10 artists living and working in Iran today and is intended to introduce their work to Americans. The show runs from October 16 through November 14, 2010 at the James Gray Gallery in Los Angeles, with an opening reception on Saturday, October 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

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HOMAY & THE MASTAN ENSEMBLE Kickoff Their North American Tour 2010 At Walt Disney Concert Hall With “Soldiers/Sarbazan”

LOS ANGELES, CA-July 19, 2010—The highly acclaimed Iranian musical phenomenon Homay and the Mastan Ensemble return to Walt Disney Concert Hall for the third consecutive year on August 15, 2010 at 7 p.m. to perform the latest compositions by Parvaz Homay.

The Ensemble’s performance of Homay’s operetta “Moses and the Shepherd” at Walt Disney Concert Hall last year was followed by sold-out performances throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe to enthusiastic audiences. The group returns to North America with “Soldiers/Sarbazan”, armed with new and soul-stirring messages of transformation, hoping to raise awareness and compassion.

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2010 Tour Media Kit Download PDF.

HAMED NIKPAY & Friends Wrap Up Their “All Is Calm On The Road” Concert Tour on October 3, 2009 in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA-September 28, 2009— Fusion vocalist Hamed Nikpay, along with his world-class ensemble will perform the grand finale of his solo North American concert tour, “All Is Calm On The Road”, on October 3, 2009, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles at 8 p.m.

The concert series began over a month ago and was held in Montréal, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto brought fans and enthusiasts from all walks of life who came in numbers to welcome him and hear him perform his music live.  Every event began with audience’s eager expectations, their cheers and standing ovations during the performances, and their reverences and awes of his heartfelt renditions as they ended. “Now I can see why they call him one of Iran’s greatest young vocalist”, said a young man in Toronto, as he was leaving the concert.  “Hamed has created his own genre, which has no boundaries where audiences around the world can dig, and enjoy”, he continued.

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HOMAY & THE MASTAN ENSEMBLE to Perform at the Lincoln Center; Iranian Classical Musical Ensemble Banned By The Iranian Government Brings Their Music To the U.S. and The World

NEW YORK, NY- September 14, 2009—The highly acclaimed and controversial Iranian musical masters, Homay and The Mastan Ensemble, come to New York City on September 19, 2009 at 8 p.m. to perform the latest compositions by Homay at Lincoln Center. This performance is one of the highlights of their 11-city U.S. tour, which started in Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall presented to a sold-out audience, in collaboration with the world-renowned Maestro Shardad Rohani.

Founded in 2005 by Parvaz Homay, The Mastan Ensemble grew to become one of the most popular traditional Persian musical ensembles in Iran.  Since early 2009, Parvaz Homay has been banned by the Iranian government officials to perform any of his musical pieces publically in Iran.

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HAMED NIKPAY & Friends Perform LIVE on KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles in Support of “All Is Calm On The Road / Asoudeh Dar Raah” Concert Tour

LOS ANGELES, CA-September 8, 2009—Hamed Nikpay and his acclaimed ensemble will be guests on KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles’ Global Village, Wednesdays with Yatrika Shah-Rais on September 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. PST., in support of his “All Is Calm On The Road / Asoudeh Dar Raah” Concert Tour, performing LIVE, songs from his brand new album, “All Is Calm”.

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Radio Farda's interview wtih HAMED NIKPAY; featuring "All is Calm on the Road" 2009 N. American Concert Tour
August 26, 2009 
To listen Click Here.

Voices of the Middle East and North Africa featuring HAMED NIKPAY
August 19, 2009
To listen Click Here.   (Hamed's interview at 38:08)

HOMAY & THE MASTAN ENSEMBLE with MAESTRO SHARDAD ROHANI & SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and special guest appearances by SOLEY VASEGHI and HOMA SARSHAR performing the operetta ‘Moses and The Shepherd’

LOS ANGELES, CA-August 3, 2009—The highly acclaimed Iranian musical phenomena, Homay and The Mastan Ensemble return to the Walt Disney Concert Hall on August 16, 2009 at 7 p.m. to perform another exceptional collection of the latest compositions by Homay, with symphony arrangement by Maestro Shardad Rohani. During the first part of this program, the Ensemble will perform an operetta, written by Homay, inspired from the story of ‘Moses and The Shepherd’ by Rumi (Mowlana) written in Aarefan e Raaz by Dr. Mahmoodi Bakhtiari. The part of ‘Moses’ will be performed by the well-known and talented Iranian singer, Soley Vaseghi, ‘The Shepherd’ by Homay and the third character, ‘Raavi’ or ‘The Storyteller’ by the published author and award-winning journalist, Homa Sarshar. The operetta will be followed by several masterpieces by Maestro Rohani. In part two of this concert, the latest compositions by Homay and Maestro Rohani will be performed by the Ensemble.

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HAMED NIKPAY “All Is Calm On The Road / Asoudeh Dar Raah” Concert Tour

San Francisco, CA, July 1, 2009—On August 15, 2009, Hamed Nikpay and his acclaimed ensemble, kickoff their concert tour  “All Is Calm On The Road / Asoudeh Dar Raah” in Montreal, Canada for a live performance of songs  from his new album, “ALL IS CALM / ASOUDEH”.

The album which is an aesthetic fusion of Persian melodies written by Hamed with Flamenco beats, has received much recognition and praise from enthusiasts of traditional and contemporary Persian music alike. Among those critics is Ari Siletz who writes “Asoudeh establishes Nikpay as the rare artist with both scholarly pedigree and musical originality.”  Hamed was one of the first and few artists who showed his solidarity with the Iranian men and women who are struggling for freedom and democracy by writing and performing the song “The owner of this Land—Maaleke een Khaak” to bring attention to their cause (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqONCJoADtQ).

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Introducing YARA SHAHIDI to the Persian Community Worldwide

Los Angeles, CA, June 4, 2009—9-year old Yara Shahidi will make her theatrical debut June 12, 2009, starring opposite Eddie Murphy, in Paramount Picture’s “Imagine THAT”. Her talent can be seen in her portrayal as Murphy’s daughter, the full-spirited character ‘Olivia.’ Olivia takes her father, an overworked businessman, on a journey through her imaginary world and shows him valuable lessons along the way. Yara was born and raised for the first four years of her life in Minnesota, before her family made the move to California for her father’s line of work. When she thinks back to what she misses most about Minnesota she will tell you, “Joon Joon, Grampie and Snow”!

To read more CLICK HERE.
To read in Persian CLICK HERE.

Farhang Foundation and LACMA Proudly Present Shirin Neshat and the film “Women without Men”

Los Angeles CA, June 1, 2009—Farhang Foundation announced today a program featuring internationally renowned artist Shirin Neshat on June 15, 2009 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) Bing Theater at 8:00 pm. The program includes screening of work-in-progress segments of her film “Women without Men” followed by a discussion between Shirin Neshat and Nasrin Rahimieh, Professor of Comparative Literature and Maseeh Chair and Director of Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture School of Humanities at the University of California, Irvine.

To read more CLICK HERE.


Compilation Album of Iranian Underground Music to be Released

London, 19 May 2009 - The first in a series of compilation albums tapping Iran's thriving underground music scene will be released worldwide in July 2009.

UK-based Bar-Ax Promotions has teamed up with USA indie record label Bamahang Productions to release this music series in order to help give worldwide exposure to the struggling underground musicians in Iran.

Despite the many restrictions imposed by the Iranian government on art in general, the music scene has been increasingly active and has grown to encompass a wide variety of music styles including Blues, Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, Fusion, Jazz, Rap and Hip Hop.

While most of these bands and musicians are still active in Iran, the government does not allow them to record, publish, or perform their music in public. This is partly due to the uncompromising nature of their music and lyrics in tackling social and political issues. However, even simple romantic themes are also frowned upon by the Iranian government.
The refusal of these musicians to stay within the undefined red lines of self-censorship in Iran makes them outsiders to the circle of favoritism and government backing which a limited number of groups have been able to enjoy in recent years, allowing one of them to go as far as recording with 80’s pop star Chris De Burgh with government approval.

This music series aims to introduce Iranian underground musicians to the outside world and to provide a unique portrayal of what goes on musically and artistically in basements and private home studios in Iran, in the face of government control and restrictions.

To read more CLICK HERE.

Persis Trunk Show presented by SoCiArts, Apr 25-26, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA, April 13, 2009.  Persis by Kouroush Mousavi is proud to present the Liberté Collection. This Collection represents a new beginning for Persis. An emancipation inspired by Change, Liberty, and Freedom. REFRESHMENTS SERVED

To read more CLICK HERE

SoCiArts Productions proudly presents "feminine", Apr 10-17, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA, April 6, 2009.  Society of Cinema and Arts (SoCiArts) will proudly host the opening reception of feminine on April 10, 2009 from 8 to 11 p.m. at a gallery space on 11821 Mississippi Ave in Los Angeles, featuring eight of its member artists, from various genres and mediums of arts.  SoCiArts invites the community and leading collectors to join this event, showcasing these emerging and mid-career female artists including Jodii Tseng, Karen Fiorito, Kirstin Johnson, Kmax, Mila Charleston, Mona Shomali, Negin Karbassian and Shagha Ariannia. With over 70 original artworks at various price ranges, everyone attending feminine can go home a collector.

To read more CLICK HERE

Farhang Foundation Honors Professor Ehsan Yarshater with the Iranian Heritage Award 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 19, 2009— Farhang Foundation, a recently established non-profit organization focused on celebrating Iranian art and culture in Southern California honored Professor Ehsan Yarshater with the Heritage Award 2009 as part if its Nowruz (Persian New Year) program on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

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Farhang Foundation and LACMA Announce Nowruz Persian New Year Celebration

LOS ANGELES, CA, February 23, 2009— Farhang Foundation, a recently established non-profit organization focused on celebrating Iranian art and culture in Southern California, today announced a Nowruz (Persian New Year) Celebration at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on March 14 and 15, 2009.

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Tehran Has No More Pomegranates Premiers In Five U.S. Cities  A documentary that tells the never before heard story of a big city

February 12, 2009 – New York, NY— Willow Films, in association with SoCiArts Productions and various local cultural and educational organizations present TEHRAN HAS NO MORE POMEGRANATES’ premiere release in five cities throughout the U.S., starting February 18 through March 5, 2009. This award winning feature-length documentary film is a post-modern portrait of Iran’s capital city, Tehran; a documentary telling the story of a nation’s encounter with modernity and the social, urban and political changes.

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The International Review of Music selects NIYAZ on their: Picks of the Week: Feb 2 - 8

Click here for details.

CAFAM Together With SoCiArts Productions Present Exploring The Other: Contemporary Iran Through The Lens Of Iason Athanasiadis

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 12, 2009— SoCiArts Productions co-produces the upcoming exhibition of Exploring the Other: Contemporary Iran Through the lens of Iason Athanasiadis as the community partner of CAFAM. The exhibition is scheduled for January 25 through March 29, 2009.

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Farhang Foundation Short-Film Festival Winner to Be Featured at LACMA

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 24, 2008— Farhang Foundation, a recently established non-profit organization focused on celebrating Iranian art and culture in Southern California, today announced that the screening of the winning film in their first Short-Film Festival Film Festival will take place during the Farhang Foundation Nowruz (Persian New Year) Celebration events at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on March 14 and 15, 2009.

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Persian electro-acoustic sensation NIYAZ does a hometown record release party in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre on Feb 7, 2009.

On February 7, the Persian electro-acoustic sensation Niyaz does a hometown record release party in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre in support of their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Nine Heavens. The album has been resonating across a wide spectrum of fans worldwide from the younger Persian generation to their parents, to Western ears and more.  No wonder why the album continues to receive press accolades with a recent feature on NPR’s Weekend Edition. The album has also hit impressive chart numbers including #1 on iTunes “world chart,” #1 on the “world music radio charts” in Europe, and #4 on Billboard’s “world music chart.”

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KIOSK featured on KPCC 89.3 & KCRW 89.9 on Dec 17, 2008; PRI's The World/Betto Arcos

To listen to the clip click here.

Farhang Foundation Announces Short Film Festival and Competition in Celebration of Iranian Heritage

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 3, 2008 (UPDATED since original release on 12/1/08) — Farhang Foundation, a recently established foundation focused on celebrating Iranian art and culture in Southern California, is putting out a call to all filmmakers interested in Iranian heritage to create a short film on the subject and submit it to this festival. SoCiArts.com will be responsible for managing and producing this festival.

“Farhang Foundation’s goal is to celebrate the art, culture and heritage of Iran for the benefit of Iranian-Americans and the community at large here in Southern California.” said Touraj Daryaee, President of Farhang Foundation. “The purpose of this festival is to give aspiring filmmakers a venue to showcase short films that best embrace this worthy goal.  The winner will be featured to the who’s who of the Iranian-American community and beyond at the Farhang Foundation’s Noruz Gala on March 7, 2009, taking place at the magnificent Paramount Studios Lot in Los Angeles.”

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KIOSK, Los Angeles concert's post-show report by RADIO FARDA
Los Angeles, California, November 23, 2008Click here to read full story.

An evening with YAS; for the first time in Los Angeles

Beverly Hills, California, November 19, 2008An evening with YAS; for the first time in Los Angeles on 12/14/08 at ELEMENT HOLLYWOOD.



Introducing Butterfly Buzz; A Creative Marketing Agency Offering Consulting, Communications and Publicity Services To Artists Globally

Beverly Hills, California, November 11, 2008 — Butterfly Buzz, LLC, a creative marketing, publicity, and artists agency based in Los Angeles was officially incorporated on September 9, 2008. The agency offers professional services to artists to help them achieve the widest public exposure among their target audiences. It also collaborates with studios, media, event producers and entertainment companies in presenting or co-presenting their programs.

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KIOSK featured on KPFK 90.7 on Nov 11, 2008; Global Village-Betto Arcos

To listen to the clip click here.

The World Academy of Arts, Literature & Media - WAALM® Honors KIOSK With Best Blues Band of 2008

Beverly Hills, CA, November 10, 2008 — The World Academy of Arts, Literature & Media - WAALM® honored KIOSK with Best Blues Band of 2008 during their 3rd annual awards ceremony on Friday, October 31, 2008 in London. WAALM® develops and promotes the dramatic and fine arts, creative writing and poetry, as well as professional journalism and media productions. WAALM® regularly identifies and rewards excellence, inspires practitioners, and benefits the public, by means of awarding event.

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KIOSK featured on KPFK 90.7 on Nov 9, 2008; Cosmic Barrio-Betto Arcos

To listen to the clip click here.

KIOSK featured on KCRW 89.9 on Nov 9, 2008; Cafe LA-Tom Schnabel

To listen to the clip click here.

KIOSK slated to release highly-anticipated third album GLOBAL ZOO on November 14, 2008

Seattle, WA, October 14, 2008— Bamahang Productions is set to release the highly-anticipated KIOSK’s third studio album, “Bagh e Vahsh e Jahani” (Global Zoo) on November 14, 2008. The new album features ten tracks varying in music style from Gypsy Jazz to Waltz and from Argentinean Tango to Blues. Although the music of the album is a big departure from the Underground Blues/Rock sound of the previous two KIOSK albums, the lyrics of Arash Sobhani (lead vocalist , songwriter and guitarist) continues the social commentary on a wide variety of issues affecting the daily lives of Iranians all over the world.

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TEHRAN HAS NO MORE POMEGRANATES premiers in Los Angeles
A documentary that tells the never before heard story of a big city

Los Angeles, California, October 21, 2008— Willow Films, in association with SoCiArts Productions will be presenting TEHRAN HAS NO MORE POMEGRANATES’ first theatrical release in Los Angeles on November 5 and
6, 2008 at the Landmark Theatres, in West Los Angeles; a post-modern documentary that tells the story of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. The film captures the many paradoxes and quirks of this city that may be unknown to the world. Beyond this, it is also a documentary about one nation’s encounter with modernity and the social, urban and political changes it can cause.

To read more Download PDF

Homay and The Mastan Group Take On A Forbidden Journey To Bring The Message Of Truth And Unity From Iran.

Los Angeles, California, June 9, 2008— SoCiArts Productions is proud to introduce Homay and The Mastan Group ensemble, to perform for the first time outside of Iran for their large fan base in the United States, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 7:30 in the evening, to take on A Forbidden Journey; the name of their latest album.

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NOWRUZ celebration honors teachers and recognizes Honorable Steve Cooley, Los Angeles County District Attorney, Michaela Pereira, KTLA Morning News Anchorwoman and Homa Sarshar, Journalist

Beverly Hills, CA—Celebrate the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring from 3 to 10 p.m.on Sunday, March 11, 2007 as the Iranian American Parents Association presents the 14th Bi-Annual NowRuz Festival, a gala event to honor the teachers of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. The special event is taking place at The Beverly Hilton, co-sponsored by The Beverly Hilton.

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“Henry Ford said, ‘You can do anything with Enthusiasm.’ Bita has taken that to heart. Combined with her superior domain expertise and truly unbelievable team-building abilities, she employs her enthusiasm to not only excel in what she does, but to also inspire the entire team to do what they do best. It is hard to come by such a combination in one person.”
Dec '07 Sia Farah InfoStreet, CEO