The Armenian Cultural Visionaries, a non-profit association, promoting education and cultural preservation in all Armenian realms; in conjunction with the Olympia Banquet Hall, is pleased to announce the coming of the celebrated Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble; Armenia ’s National Gold Medal Award recipients, for an afternoon and evening celebrating the rich tradition of Armenian folk music and song, in combination with the outstanding Armenian food preparations for which the Olympia Banquet Hall is so well known.
The event will take place on Sunday afternoon, October 14, 2012, at the Olympia Banquet Hall, 16922 Sherman Way , Van Nuys , CA . The day’s event will begin at 3:00 pm, with a “Mezza” (hors d-‘oeuvres) offering of tantalizing Armenian delicacies, sure to please the palate; drinks will also be available at that time. At about 4:00 pm, following the “Mezza” service, the concert will begin. Appearing will be the acclaimed Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble, who is known to regale audiences with their heartfelt Armenian musical renditions, performed on the ancient, traditional instruments that the Armenians have used for centuries.
The Ensemble, composed of the finest conservatory graduate musicians from Armenia and the United States , is known for their showcase performances encompassing the full spectrum of Armenian classical, troubadour, folk song & folk dance music. The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble’s most recent CD, “Visions of Armenia ,” was chosen as the first place winner, world-wide, for the “Best Traditional Armenian Album” at the 2010 Armenian “Grammy” awards, presented at the Nokia Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
The Chookasian’s are famed for weaving Armenian stories and traditions during concert performances, serving to connect the audience with the music and the lore. Both the Eastern and historic Western traditional Armenian musical forms are featured in the Chookasian Ensemble’s dynamic performances of music from the 16th to the 20th Centuries, along with folk dance tunes dating back to as far as two millennia!
PERFORMING ARTISTS:
Under the direction of Fresno premier Clarinetist, John Chookasian, the abundant roster of performers also features: Barbara Chookasian, principal vocalist; Vergine Alimian,“Kanun” (72 stringed lap harp); Seroj Avoian, “D’hol”(cylindrical hand drum); Vladimir Grigorian,“Kemenche” (spiked folk violin); Hayk Nalbantyan, “Dumbeg’, (hourglass-shaped hand drum), “Deff” (large frame drum); Surik on “Tarr” & “Saz” (lutes); Garen Sarkissian on “Shvi” (Armenian piccolo); Hasmik Hovsepyan on “Oud” (fretless lute); and Dickran Avedissyan, “Duduk” (Armenian flute) and “Zurna” (village flute).
At the conclusion of the concert, the Olympia Banquet Hall will then serve a fabulous and delectable Armenian gourmet dinner, for which it has received many culinary awards.
Tickets: For the complete concert & dining event, $50.00; call (818) 996-2828
For further information, call (559) 213-1909 (John Chookasian.)
Olympia Banquet Hall – 16922 Sherman Way – Van Nuys , CA .
Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 3:00 PM –
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS UNIQUE EVENT!
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P.S. Our ‘Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble’s” up and coming Armenian concert and gourmet dinner event at the Olympia Banquet Hall in Van Nuys , CA . will have a live interview on Sarky Mouradian’s TV Show, US Armenia , on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 6:00 PM.
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CALENDAR PSA: # 1
SPONSORS:
Olympia Banquet Hall – Van Nuys , CA
Armenian Cultural Visionaries – Fresno & Los Angeles , CA .
ENTERTAINMENT: CHOOKASIAN ARMENIAN CONCERT ENSEMBLE
2010 International Armenian ‘Grammy Award’ Winners
Armenia’s National Gold Medal Award Winners
CONCERT
PROGRAM: 1. Traditional Armenian songs and dances of Eastern and historic Western Armenia , performed by our conservatory
graduate musicians from Armenia and the USA ; played on acoustic folk instruments found in Armenia .
DINNER MENU: 2. Armenian Gourmet Mezzas and Full Delicious Dinner!
DATE & TIME: Sunday, October 14, 2012 – 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Olympia Banquet Hall – 16922 Sherman Way – Van Nuys , CA .
TICKETS: $50.00 – for Concert and Dinner – Only 300 seats, Buy your tickets early!
RESERVATIONS: Banquet Hall (818) 996-2828; John Chookasian (559) 213-1909
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CALENDAR PSA: # 2
SPONSORS:
Freight & Salvage Coffee House Concert Hall
Armenian Cultural Visionaries – Fresno & Los Angeles , CA .
ENTERTAINMENT: CHOOKASIAN ARMENIAN CONCERT ENSEMBLE
2010 International Armenian ‘Grammy Award’ Winners
Armenia’s National Gold Medal Award Winners
CONCERT
PROGRAM: 1. Traditional Armenian songs and dances of Eastern and historic Western Armenia , performed by our conservatory graduate musicians from Armenia and the USA ; played on acoustic folk instruments found in Armenia .
DATE & TIME: Saturday, February 23, 2013
LOCATION: Freight & Salvage Concert Hall – 2020 Addison Street – Berkeley, CA. 94704
TICKETS: Advance Sales: $22.50; At the Door: $24.50; Half price for young adults, students.
Only 450 seats, Buy your tickets early!
RESERVATIONS: (510) 644-2020; info@freightandsalvage.org www.freightandsalvage.org
John Chookasian (559) 213-1909; chook3@qnis.net www.chookasian.com
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BACKGROUND:
The “Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble” was nominated and attended the 2010 Grammy celebration.
We were 1st Place winner of the “2010 International Armenian Grammy Awards,” that was held at the world-famous 7,000 seat Nokia Theater in Los Angeles , CA.; from thousands of CD submissions from around
the world.
Please type in our Chookasian Ensemble’s name on U-Tube and see our very successful PBS, Channel 18 TV Armenian concert Program that was held in CSU, Fresno ’s Concert Hall.
Over 2 million people in the Central Valley , CA viewed our PBS TV broadcast of Armenian music and culture several times!
You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChookasianEnsemble#p/a
Some of our Past Major Performances & Awards:
A. The former President Robert Kocharian, of Armenia , personally invited our “Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble” for a one-month concert/festival tour of Armenian and Karabagh. During our last concert performance, in Yerevan ’s beautiful Grand Philharmonic Concert Hall, to an audience of 3000 + people, we were presented with “ Armenia ’s National Gold Medal Award,” by the Armenian Cultural Ambassador, Mr. Royland Sharoyan. We are the only Armenian Ensemble in the USA that has been given this honor, recognition and award.
B. Our “Chookasian Armenian Ensemble” performed for a special fundraising reception for the “Armenian Church of the Desert” in Rancho Mirage, CA during 2005 for His Holiness, Catholicos, Karekin II, from Armenia. He came and blessed the church’s new foundation corner stone and “Khatchkar” (Armenian Cross-Stone).
It was a wonderful honor for us to see His Holiness, converse with him, be complemented by him for our program of traditional Armenian music, his wonderful acknowledgement of us for preserving our ancient heritage and music and finally be blessed by him, at this outstanding church affair. We feel so, so honored to be in his company and perform for him and for the many thousands of guests present at this cultural church event!
C. Festivals: “Armenian Prpoor (Grape Juice) Festival,” Fresno , CA. September 2007;
“San Francisco World Music Festivals”: February 25, thru 27, 2000 & October 8, 2005;
“J. Paul Getty Museum Festival,” Los Angeles , CA. October 20, 2001.
D. We were the winners of the 2006 “Independent Music Awards” “Our Chookasian Ensemble’s live concert Armenian CD Album “Passage to Armenia ” was the 1st Place Winner, as the “Best Traditional World Music CD Album”; in the “Traditional World Music” category, that was selected also from thousands of CD submissions from around the world!
E. While we were touring the East Coast, our Ensemble brought our traditional Armenian songs and dances to the “ John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” in Washington , D.C. This was the first time that the songs of Eastern and historic Western Armenia were performed in the highest entertainment forum in the USA .
F. Our Ensemble presented another sold-out concert of Armenian music, dance and culture on November 14, 2009 at CSU, Northridge for the students, faculty and the general public at large. This is the fourth time that we were invited back to perform with our music & dance groups at the CSUN’s Plaza Del Sol Concert Hall.
G. We just release our newest traditional Armenian concert CD “Visions of Armenia ,” that was recorded live at a Armenian Concert performance at CSU, Fullerton in Orange County , CA .
H. During 2010, we also were acknowledged and awarded with a “Certification Of Appreciation” by Fresno’s Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Fresno City Councilman, Andreas Borgeas, regarding our unique traditional Armenian Music CD’s and for our Ensemble.
I. We have performed for many successful California State University and other Campuses throughout the years. (Fresno, Fullerton, Northridge, San Francisco, San Diego, CA, etc).
J. Many other awards, proclamations, acknowledgments, etc. to numerous to name can be found on our website. www.chookasian.com
Please visit our website to read about 16 years of diverse performance venues across the USA and Armenia .
Only 450 seats, Buy your tickets early!
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