Previous CVIAS Events

Halloween 2008 was celebrated on 11/02/08 at Wyndham Club.  About 100 adults and kids attended this year’s party.  Every body had a great time with good food, games for the kids, entertaining music, and dance.  We would like to thank all the participants.  We specially thank all the members who helped in organizing another great event.  We are grateful to Brick Oven Bistro for providing the food with a substantial discount, and

DJ Amin for the entertaining music.

 

Roudaki Persian Academy 2007-2008 end of year graduation and teacher appreciation ceremony was held on June 14th, 2008.  Seventeen students attended the Persian classes this year.  Although most students were school age children, a few English speaking adult students attended classes as well.  Parents and students were pleased with the progress made in the past year, and look forward to classes in the coming year.  Each student received a certificate of attendance during the ceremony. (Please click here to see some of the pictures)

 

We greatly appreciate the volunteer teachers’ dedicated hard work and donated time in advancing Persian language and culture.  They include Mrs. Hajar Babakhani, Mrs. Giti Mirshahi, Mrs. Sharareh Banakar, and Mrs. Farideh Mirshahi.  Each teacher was presented with an appreciation plaque during the ceremony.  We also appreciate Mrs. Shamsi Taghavi’s dedicated service as the Persian Class coordinator.

 

The next session of Persian classes will start in September 2008.  We invite all individuals who are interested in teaching or attending classes to register as soon as possible.  Please click on the “Education and Classes” on the left frame for more information.

 

 

CVIAS Lecture/Live Music-   Thirty people attended the lecture by Mrs. Manijeh Mohagheghi in honor of Parvin Etesami’s 100th birthday on Thursday,  May 22nd 2008 at Gayton Public Library.  This was a very interesting and informative lecture.  There was a brief question and answer  period afterwards.  After a short break for hot tea and cookies the audience enjoyed a live classical Persian music performance (Morgh-e Sahar) by our talented friends: Mrs. Azadeh Nazari (vocals),  Dr. Tourage Rafeei (Tar), Mr. Peyman Vahdati (Santoor), and Mr. Naser Niknam (Tonbak).  We sincerely thank every one who made this a successful event.

 

CVIAS Board hopes to organize more such cultural activities on regular basis in the future.  We invite all interested individuals who would like to present such programs to contact us  at cvias@comcast.net.

 

 

CVIAS General Meeting and Election was held on Saturday April 12th, 2008 at Tuckahoe Public Library.  Twenty five members (in person and by proxy) attended this meeting. 

There was great participation in discussions by the members.  2007-2008 accomplishments of CVIAS were reviewed.  All agreed that the society has come a long ways over the last three years, but more participation by our members in the activities of CVIAS is needed to guarantee our future success and prevent burn out among current board members and other active volunteers.  Participants discussed areas of opportunity in the future.  An area of interest was sports activities including participating in various sports events in Richmond area such as Ukrops10K run.  Importance of Persian classes was discussed as well.  Our students have accomplished a lot over the last two years.  More volunteer teachers/parents are needed.

 

At the end of the meeting nominations for office of Vice President for the next 2 years were made.  Mr. Abbas Taghavi was re-elected with unanimous vote. 

 

 

Fourth Annual Sizdeh Bedar Picnic-2008:  More than seventy people got together at The Sunday Park in Midlothian on April 6th to celebrate 13-Bedar despite the cold and periods of rain.  Every one enjoyed the great food pot lock and visit with the friends.  Children and Adults participated in many athletic and social activities.

 

Fourth Annual Norouz Party-2008:  170 people attended this year’s Norouz celebration held on March 22nd at Richmond Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom.  The program started with “Ey Iran” song recital.  Miss. Nazanin Mirshahi and Miss. Soulmaz Taghavi gave brief talks about Norouz in Persian and English.  After the buffet dinner, the CVIAS annual report was presented.  A gift from CVIAS was presented to Mr. Abbas Taghavi in appreciation of his dedicated service over the last two years.  The audience enjoyed a great classical Persian music performance by Mrs. Azadeh Nazari (vocals), Dr. Tourge Rafeei (Tar), Mr. Amin Mirshahi (Tonbak and Keyboard), and Mr. Peyman Vahdati (Santoor). Then the Roudaki Persian Academy students performed a very interesting dance showing that Iranian American kids know and appreciate their Persian heritage while in tune with their American culture.  We thank Mrs. Sharareh Banakar, Mrs. Shamsi Taghavi, and DJ Amin for organizing the dance  Everyone had a great time dancing with the latest Persian and International music by DJ Amin.  Door prizes were given to a few lucky people.  They included a 1387 Persian Calendar,  3 Brick Oven Bistro gift cards, 2 music CD’s of Ms. Shohreh Haghiri from Canada,  and the grand prize of one free night stay at the Richmond Crowne Plaza for two.  The Board of Directors of CVIAS would like to thank each and every one who assisted in making this year’s Norouz party another successful event. 

 

Central Virginia Iranian American Society appreciates the generous contributions of this year’s Norouz party sponsors:

Ţ Dr. Maryam Zarei

Ţ Dr. Peyman Nazmi

Ţ Mr. Samad Jafar

Ţ Mrs. Shohreh Haghiri (Click here)

Ţ Brick Oven Bistro

 

Click here to view the musical performance in the Norouz Party

 

 

 

Third Annual Yalda Night/Christmas-2007 Party  was attended by over 100 people on Saturday December 22nd, 2007 at Twin Hickory Community Club.  A variety of delicious Persian dishes were shared in this potluck party.  Tea, soft drinks, and Persian pastry were provided by CVIAS.  Melika Zarei, and Nilufar Mirshahi gave brief talks about Yalda Night in Persian culture.  Attendants enjoyed a great classical Persian music program presented by our talented friends; Mr. Amin Mirshahi, Mr. Nasser Niknam, and Dr. Tourage Rafeei.  Everyone enjoyed dancing with DJ Amin’s latest Persian and international tunes.

 

We would like to thank everyone for attending this great party.  We extend a special thanks to those friends who helped in organizing another successful event.  Please contact us with any comments/suggestions or if interested to become more involved in CVIAS.

 

CVIAS Board of Directors

 

 

Fifth Persian Poetry Night was attended by more than 25 people on November 30th,  2007. Mr. Nasser Niknam introduced Mehdi Akhavan SAless and recited a few of his poems.  Other attendants recited poetry from different poets as well.  Every one enjoyed Mrs. Sheybani’s performance of a few Persian classical songs.  We welcomed a VCU student (Sylvia) who had found us through CVIAS website and attended the session to gather information for her school project about Iranian Americans.  Again we would like to thank Dr. Maryam Zarei and her family for providing Aash and dessert. 

Due to the holidays the next session will be on January 25th, 2008.

 

Third Annual Halloween Party was held on October 28th 2007 at Wyndham Club.  150 adults and kids attended the party and had a great time with variety of activities, food, music and dancing.  Many people were wearing interesting costumes.  We would like to thank all the people who attended, and especially those who helped in organizing another successful event.  Click here to see some of pictures.

 

Fourth Persian Poetry Night  was attended by 25 people on October 26th 2007.  Dr. Iraj Mirshahi gave a brief biography of Malekoshoara Bahar, and recited a few of his poems.  Dr. Hassan Ziaie talked briefly about Baba Taher Oryan and read a few of his poems.  Poems from different Persian poets were recited by others as well.  We would like to thank Dr. Maryam Zarei for providing her office lobby for this event, and for the delicious Aash that was served.

 

Third Persian Poetry Night was held on Thursday 9/27/07.  Niloofar Mirshahi talked about Ahmad Shamloo, and recited one of his poems. Also poems from Hafez, Khayyam, Moshiri, Akhavan, … were recited.  There were interesting discussions following each recital.

 

Third Annual Mehregan Picnic—2007: Over 75 adults and children attended CVIAS’s third annual Mehregan Picnic on September 23rd, 2007 at Deep Run Park.  A few of the Roudaki Persian Academy students presented their posters about Mehregan. One of the students (Mr. Omid Dubois) gave a brief talk about the history of Mehregan. After enjoying a variety of delicious Persian foods and deserts, the crowd was entertained by DJ Amin’s music and some of our talented friends’ vocals.  Kids and grown ups participated in different sport activities.  We would like to welcome the new families who joined us this year, and thank Ms. Jasmine Shirazi (Colonial 1st Mortgage) for sponsoring this event in part.  Click here to read about Mehregan in English.  Click here to read about it in Persian.

 

Second Persian Poetry Night was held on Thursday August 30th, 2007. Many classical and new Persian poems were recited, and discussed with much interest.  We were pleased to see a few school age members attending and enjoying the rich Persian literature.  Some members read from their own poems.  It was decided to have a volunteer opening each session by introducing one of the Persian poets/writers and their works, and then having the usual open forum with poetry recitals. 

 

CVIAS General Meeting and Election was held on Sunday April 22nd, 2007 at Dumbarton Public Library.  Forty five members (in person and by proxy) attended this meeting.  After review of the charter of the society, the annual report of activities and treasury were shared with the attendees.  Committee chairpersons gave a brief report about their activities and plans in the coming year.

 

There was great participation in discussions by the members.  All agreed that CVIAS is the representative of the Iranian Americans in Richmond area.  It was communicated with the members that many local organizations have contacted CVIAS regarding issues related to Iranian Americans including our Persian Classes, and other cultural activities.

 

At the end of the meeting nominations for offices of President, Treasurer, and Secretary (because of Mr. Roozbeh Behrooz’s resignation) for the next 2 years were made.  The office of Vice President will be elected next year.  All nominees announced their respect for and agreement with the CVIAS charter.  After confidential voting the following results were announced:

President          Dr. Iraj Mirshahi

Treasurer          Ms. Behnaz Movahed

Secretary          Dr. Ehsan Sheybani

 

The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. Roozbeh Behrooz for his dedicated service to the Society since its establishment in 2005, and to the Iranian American society in the years prior to CVIAS.   The Board welcomes Dr. Ehsan Sheybani as one of the new officers looking forward to greater achievements for CVIAS and all Iranian Americans in the years to come.

 

CVIAS Lecture: Dr Abbas Ziai, Professor of Mathematics at Kerman University has spent a few years researching a 750-year old university in Kerman.  In his lecture he talked about the history and significance of this university.  Click here to read about the lecture and read the summary.

 

 

Third Annual Sizdeh Bedar-2007:  More than one hundred people came to Deep Run Park on April 1st, 2007 to celebrate 13-Bedar.  Every one enjoyed the great food pot lock and visit with the friends.  Children and Adults participated in many athletic and social activities.

Please see the following pictures: Pic1   Pic2   Pic3  Pic4

 

Third Annual Norouz Party-2007:  Two hundred people attended this year’s Norouz celebration held on March 17th, 2007 at Sheraton Park South Hotel.  The Roudaki Persian Academy students recited “Ey Iran” song, and performed the very interesting “Spring Dance” under the direction of Mrs. Sharareh Banakar, Mrs. Roya Mirshahi, and DJ Amin.  VCU Persian Students performed two dances  (Classical and Bandari) under the direction of Dr. Maryam Zarei. (click here for the picture of the dance) Ms. Megan Jahangiri and Mr. Shervin Mirshahi talked about Norouz in Farsi and English.  Before the buffet dinner Amoo Norouz (Mr. Mohsen Mirshahi) brought New Year presents for all the kids.  After dinner everybody enjoyed the classical music performance by Ms. Azadeh Nazari, Dr. Tourge Rafeei, Mr. Amin Mirshahi, and Mr. Jafar Chamani (click here for the picture).  Everyone had a great time dancing with the latest Persian and International music by DJ Amin. (click here and here  for pictures)   The Board of Directors of CVIAS would like to thank each and every one who assisted in making this year’s Norouz party another successful event. (click here to see the picture of haft seen table set up by Mrs. Karkouki)

 

2004-2006 CVIAS Events:  Click here to read about events prior to 2007

 

 

Central Virginia Iranian American Society

Promoting and Appreciating Persian Culture