ARTSNORTHRIDGE

NEWS FLASH

Performing Arts Center

18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8236

 

14 September 2004

For Immediate Release

Press Only Contact:

William C. Martin

818-677-7687/ Fax 6617

 

CHOOKASIAN ARMENIAN CONCERT ENSEMBLE AND DANCERS AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

 

Northridge, CA: ArtsNorthridge at California State University, Northridge will present the celebrated Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble, Armenia’s National Gold Medal Award recipients, will be featured in an electrifying, two-day Armenian Heritage Concert Series, on Saturday, November 13, 2004, and Sunday, November 14, 2004, in the Performing Arts Center.

 

On the evening of Saturday, November 13, 2004, at 8:00 p.m., the all-inclusive program will commence with the Zvartnots Dance Ensemble, which has recently performed in Armenia under the artistic direction of Vartan and Armine Aghajanyan, in a beautiful presentation of traditional Armenian folk dance. The audience will then experience the exceptional artistry of the Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble, as they perform the full variety of classical, folkloric, and troubadour music of both Eastern and Western Armenia.

Sunday afternoon, November 14, 2004, the second Armenian Heritage Concert program will take place at 2:00 p.m., commencing with the extraordinary performance of 11-year-old violin prodigy, Ms. Ani Bukujian, appearing with piano accompanist, Ms. Marina Simonyan. They will perform classical European and Armenian musical selections geared for the entire family to enjoy. This afternoon concert will again feature the Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble. The program is certain to be a rare and artistic Armenian cultural and musical experience.

 

During Sunday’s concert, a special recognition memorial of honor will be presented to the family of one of Armenia’s most outstanding, talented, and prolific folkloric composers, Khachatur Avedisyan. Avedisyan’s beautiful Armenian songs are cherished and are performed all around the world to this day! His phenomenal compositions have been an inspiration to the Chookasian Ensemble since its inception.

 

The Fresno-based Chookasian Ensemble, spearheaded by founder John Chookasian, along with his wife, Barbara Chookasian, came into being in 1995. Composed of the finest conservatory-graduate musicians and vocalists from Armenia and the United States, the group has the distinct honor of having been invited by Armenian President, Robert Kocharian, to present a month-long concert tour of Armenia and Karabagh. Upon completion of the concert tour, the Chookasian Ensemble was presented with the prestigious National Gold Medal Award of Armenia.

 

The musical group is proud to include the resonant excellence of Armenia’s finest musicians, including Hendrick “Hindo” Avoyan, ‘dhol’ master (hand drums); Vergine Alimian and her ‘kanoon’ (lap harp); Anoush Mkrtichyan, and the sweet ‘kemenche” ‘folk violin’; Surik, ‘tarr’ performer (fretted lute); Sarkis Petrosyan, ‘santur’ specialist (hammer-dulclimer); Yeghishe Manukyan, ‘dudukist’; Vartan Manukyan, ‘drone duduk’ (flute); Hayk Nalbandian, percussionist on ‘dumbeg & daff’ (hand drum and tambourine); Sarkis Tosunian, ‘bass guitar’; the exciting golden voice of tenor, Hovhannes Shabazyan; and Albert Vardanyan, ‘shvi and ‘zurna’ performer (Armenian flutes). The Ensemblealso features the sounds of clarinet authority, John Chookasian, along with renditions by principal vocalist, Barbara Chookasian, plus ‘oudist’ (fretless lute), Peter Dorian, all from the United States.

 

Support is provided by the California Presenters Initiative, which is funded by The James Irvine Foundation and managed by Arts International.

 

The mission of this heritage series is to introduce students, staff and community to the highest quality in music and dance performance to enhance their awareness regarding the many aspects of traditional Armenian culture, and to bring about better ethnic and cultural understanding. The general public is cordially invited to attend this exceptional event!

 

Tickets are now on sale for the CHOOKASIAN ARMENIAN CONCERT ENSEMBLE AND DANCERS . Adult tickets are $45 in the Front Orchestra and $30 in Rear Orchestra (Group rates available). Children under 12 are $15. Student Tickets are available for $15 with current proper ID (sorry, not available on line). There is a “Choose your own” series available when three different events are purchased together. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at 818-677-2488 or log on to www.ArtsNorthridge.csun.com

 

The Performing Arts Center is located on Zelzah Avenue, between Prairie and Plummer Streets in the Student Union Complex. Patrons should use Parking Lot G4.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The CSU system has recently instituted that parking fees be assigned on a 24/7 basis, therefore patrons are required to purchase a $4 parking permit for all performances on the CSUN campus. (During the renovations of the Student Union Complex, there will be personnel and additional signage to assist patrons to the alternate entrance of the PAC.) We apologize for any inconvenience. Note: All programs and artists are subject to change.

 

High-resolution photographs (300dpi) will be available soon for download at www.ArtsNorthridge.csun.com If you require images immediately contact:

William C. Martin, Artistic Director and Marketing for the Performing Arts Center:

818-677-7687, Fax 818-677-6617 or e-mail: william.c.martin@csun.edu .

 

# # #