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Previous CVIAS Events |
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Fifth Annual Yalda Night Party was held on Saturday December 26 in Wyndham Club. About 100 adults and kids enjoyed the variety of Persian food, some traditional songs and chatting with friends and family.
Fifth Annual Halloween Party-2009 was held on November 1st, 2009 in Wyndham Club. About 120 adults and kids attended this year’s event wearing costumes with Persian, International and American themes. Following pizza and soft drinks, DJ Amin played the latest Persian and international music, and the adults and kids enjoyed a few hours of dance and other fun activities.
Persian Literature Night was held on Saturday September 12, 2009. Mrs. Manijeh Mohagheghi presented the lecture titled “Persian Literature and its global impact”. Following the lecture the documentary movie “Garden of Eden” was screened.
Fifth Annual Sizdeh Bedar picnic was held in Deep Run Park on Sunday April 5th, 2009. About 130 people enjoyed a variety of food and music.
Fifth Annual Norouz Party 2009 was held at Downtown Richmond Marriott Hotel on Saturday March 21st and attended by over 200 people. Ž Dr. Iraj Mirshahi started the program with an introduction and greeting. He emphasized the cultural and national significance of Norouz for all Iranians beyond ethnicity, religion, and politics. Ž Everyone joined in singing the “Ey Iran” song. Ž Mrs. Fariba Khojastehpour recited a poem by Hafez followed with the English translation by Ms. Farnaz Farkish. Ž Amoo Norouz (Mr. Mohsen Mirshahi) gave all the children their presents (Eidy) from CVIAS. Ž A buffet dinner with salmon, chicken, rice, and dessert was served. Ž After dinner the crowd enjoyed a live classical Persian music performance. The talented performers included Mrs. Azadeh Nazari (vocals), Mr. Hooman Mirloo (daf/tonbak), Mr. Peyman Vahdati (Santoor), Dr. Tourage Rafeei (tar), and Mr. Amin Mirshahi (setar). Ž The annual report of CVIAS activities was presented next, followed with introduction and recognition of the following groups:
1. Our dedicated volunteer Persian class teachers including Mrs. Giti Mirshahi, Mrs. Parvin Mirshahi, Mrs. Farideh Mirshahi, Miss. Nilufar Mirshahi, and Dr. Keyvan Najarian.
2. CVIAS board of directors including Dr. Ehsan Sheybani, Mr. Mohsen Zarei, Dr. Hassan Ziaie, Mrs. Behnaz Movahed, Mr. Abbas Taghavi, and Dr. Iraj Mirshahi.
3. Norouz Party financial contributors including Dr. Kaveh Ofogh, Dr. Peyman Nazmi, Dr. Tourage Rafeei, Mr. Mohammad Jahangiri, Mr. Sobhan Mirshahi, and Dr. Maryam Zarei.
Ž DJ Amin entertained all with the latest Iranian and International dance music for the rest of the evening. Ž At 11PM there was a lottery with 9 lucky winners including the grand prize of one night stay at Downtown Marriott for two, four $25 Shell gas gift cards (courtesy of Mr. Mohammad Jahangiri), and four $20 Brick Oven Bistro gift cards (courtesy of Mr. Sobhan Mirshahi).
The CVIAS board of directors would like to thank all who supported and made this cultural event a great success by attending, volunteering, and financial support.
Fourth Annual Yalda Night/Christmas Party 2008 was celebrated on December 14 at Wyndham Club. The event included activities live musical performances including classical as well as some pop favorites. There were also activities for the kids. The guests had a chance to sample tens of delicious Persian foods in this pot lock party. DJ Amin played the latest Persian and international songs and everyone enjoyed hours of dancing and fun.
Fourth Annual 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: Ž Dr. Maryam Zarei Ž Dr. Peyman Nazmi Ž Mr. Samad Jafar Ž Mrs. Shohreh Haghiri (Click here) Ž Brick Oven Bistro
Click here to view the musical performance in the Norouz Party
2004-2007 CVIAS Events: Click here to read about events prior to 2008
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Central Virginia Iranian American Society |
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Promoting and Appreciating Persian Culture |
