Circle of Love & Light

Healing Community Drum Circle • Sacred Chanting • Inner Balancing

Diaspora Arts Connection invites you to join us for a transformative afternoon of rhythm, connection, and collective healing led by Amir Etemadzadeh, an accomplished percussionist, composer, educator, and founder of Amir School of Music. Born and raised in Iran and now based in the Bay Area, Amir has spent decades studying and teaching frame drums, Persian percussion traditions, rhythm, and the healing power of music. Through his performances, workshops, and community gatherings, he has helped bring people together across cultures through the universal language of rhythm and sound.

🗓️ Saturday, July 11, 2026
🕕 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Impossible Stage, 2033 University Ave, Berkeley, CA

Third Culture Tales is back in the Bay! 🌍✨
Born from a deep need to connect beyond borders, languages, and inherited identities, this traveling series brings stories and music to center stage—celebrating the lived experiences of those who exist between cultures.

Join us for an evening of real stories and soul-stirring music, shared live by a powerful lineup of Bay Area artists. Whether you’re an immigrant, a child of immigrants, or someone shaped by movement, memory, and multicultural experience—this event is for you.

George McGlynn: Reflections of Light

A Fundraising Exhibition in Honor of the Artist and in Support of the Arts

Diaspora Arts Connection is proud to present George McGlynn: Reflections of Light, a special fundraising exhibition celebrating the life, work, and artistic legacy of George McGlynn. Held at Impossible Stage in Berkeley, the exhibition features a collection of original paintings generously donated by the artist’s family in support of Diaspora Arts Connection’s cultural programs and community-based arts initiatives.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents "Women's Monologues, Based On the Alphabet," a play written and directed by acclaimed Iranian director, Afshin Hashemi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters were closed, Women's Monologues Based on the Alphabet was written for home performances, requiring no theatrical stage or technical facilities and social media became the venue.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents "Women's Monologues, Based On the Alphabet," a play written and directed by acclaimed Iranian director, Afshin Hashemi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters were closed, Women's Monologues Based on the Alphabet was written for home performances, requiring no theatrical stage or technical facilities and social media became the venue.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents "Women's Monologues, Based On the Alphabet," a play written and directed by acclaimed Iranian director, Afshin Hashemi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters were closed, Women's Monologues Based on the Alphabet was written for home performances, requiring no theatrical stage or technical facilities and social media became the venue.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents "Women's Monologues, Based On the Alphabet," a play written and directed by acclaimed Iranian director, Afshin Hashemi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters were closed, Women's Monologues Based on the Alphabet was written for home performances, requiring no theatrical stage or technical facilities and social media became the venue.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents "Women's Monologues, Based On the Alphabet," a play written and directed by acclaimed Iranian director, Afshin Hashemi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters were closed, Women's Monologues Based on the Alphabet was written for home performances, requiring no theatrical stage or technical facilities and social media became the venue.

Co-presented by Diaspora Arts Connection & The Freight

Join us for a powerful evening of music, poetry, and cultural expression featuring two internationally acclaimed artists, Marjan Vahdat and Sahba Motallebi.

Rooted in Persian classical and regional traditions while shaped by contemporary expression, their collaboration creates a deeply immersive musical experience. Drawing on the poetry of Hafez, Rumi, and Forough Farrokhzad, the program weaves together voice, instrumentation, and storytelling into a rich and evocative journey.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents the Iranian fusion band Axiom of Choice on the occasion of the band’s 30th anniversary.

At a time when the people of Iran continue to face profound challenges and the tragic loss of civilian life, this performance is held in solidarity with their struggle and in affirmation of their right to peace, safety, and dignity. Through music, we gather not only to celebrate artistic legacy, but to hold space for reflection, connection, and shared humanity.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents the Iranian fusion band Axiom of Choice on the occasion of the band’s 30th anniversary.

At a time when the people of Iran continue to face profound challenges and the tragic loss of civilian life, this performance is held in solidarity with their struggle and in affirmation of their right to peace, safety, and dignity. Through music, we gather not only to celebrate artistic legacy, but to hold space for reflection, connection, and shared humanity.

(This program is entirely in Persian.)

In days when the body feels tired and the heart feels heavy, this is a space to pause — and gently begin moving again, with grief, not against it.

We gather to move slowly through gentle yoga, conscious breathing, meditation, music, and song in Persian. This is not a space to silence sorrow or rush toward feeling “better.” Instead, we practice walking hand in hand with grief — allowing it, honoring it, and giving it room.

There will be a circle for reflection and shared presence. You may speak or simply sit in quiet. Tears are welcome. Silence is respected. The breath is our guide.

This is a non-political space created with the intention of calm, presence, and emotional support for the Iranian community.

🗓️ Saturday, April 11, 2026
🕕 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Impossible Stage, 2033 University Ave, Berkeley, CA

Third Culture Tales is back in the Bay! 🌍✨
Born from a deep need to connect beyond borders, languages, and inherited identities, this traveling series brings stories and music to center stage—celebrating the lived experiences of those who exist between cultures.

Join us for an evening of real stories and soul-stirring music, shared live by a powerful lineup of Bay Area artists. Whether you’re an immigrant, a child of immigrants, or someone shaped by movement, memory, and multicultural experience—this event is for you.

در این جلسه با ایجاد فضایی امن و با استفاده از تمرین‌های آگاه به فرآیند تروما در بدن، مراقبه، تمرکز ذهن، حرکات ملایم بدنی و نقاشی شهودی، سیستم عصبی بدن را آرام می‌کنیم و ابزارهایی برای مقابله با اضطراب به دست می‌آوریم.

Two separate offerings — choose your preferred language:

🕙 English Session: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
🕑 Persian (Farsi) Session: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

In these times more than ever, we need spaces of safety, grounding, and connection.

This trauma-informed intuitive painting circle is designed to support nervous system regulation through guided meditation, gentle movement, and intuitive art-making. Each session is held in a safe, supportive environment where participants are invited to reconnect with their inner resources and sense of presence.

(This program is entirely in Persian.)

In days when the body feels tired and the heart feels heavy, this is a space to pause — and gently begin moving again, with grief, not against it.

We gather to move slowly through gentle yoga, conscious breathing, meditation, music, and song in Persian. This is not a space to silence sorrow or rush toward feeling “better.” Instead, we practice walking hand in hand with grief — allowing it, honoring it, and giving it room.

There will be a circle for reflection and shared presence. You may speak or simply sit in quiet. Tears are welcome. Silence is respected. The breath is our guide.

This is a non-political space created with the intention of calm, presence, and emotional support for the Iranian community.

The City of Richmond, The West Contra Costa Unified School District, and Diaspora Arts Connection present Norooz*, A Celebration of Spring and Solidarity on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at De Anza High School in Richmond. This event is free and open to the public. We will gather around the arts to find solace in community and bring light to these dark times by embracing the beauty of togetherness as spring begins. This is a family event and will feature arts & crafts, activities for children, music, dance, and food.

In solidarity with the people of Iran, join us for a night of music of Southern Iran with Mohammad Khodadadi.

Saturday, February 21, 2025, Doors at 7:30, Show at 8:00 PM
Askhenaz, 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

About the artist: Mohammad Khodadadi, born in 1979 in Bushehr, Iran, is a Ney player and a composer who has studied composition of western classical music at the university of Anton Bruckner in Linz/Austria. Mohammad started playing Ney from the age of 15 through strong self-discipline and coaching of Masters of Ney such as Mr. Hassan Kassai, and Mr. A. Afsharnia. He has also studied the Persian radif and techniques of singing with Master Hatam Askari & Seddigh Tarif. He learned to play the piano with Rosita Shaker and Tamara Dolidze in Iran and continued with Andreas Taller in Austria. Mohammad learned composition with Master Alireza Mashayekhi, Professor Soyka and Erland Freudenhaler. He has performed at various US stages.

In solidarity with the people of Iran, join us for an evening of music as Narges Jajarmi and Martin Shamoonpour come together to perform on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Central Stage.

Join us for an afternoon of poetry, music and community with writer, translator, and theater artist Zara Houshman as she reads from her book, "Moon and Sun," a selection of Rumi's poetry, accompanied by live music. The readings will be in English and Persian. Refreshments will be served. Come, bring your friends and families and spend a couple of hours with our community.

This is a free event

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 3:00 PM
Impossible Stage, 2033 University Avenue, Berkeley

About Zara Houshmand: Zara Houshmand is an Iranian-American writer, translator, and theatre artist whose work focuses on opening the borders between different cultures. Born in San Francisco, she was raised in the Philippines and attended Wellesley College and London University, where she received her BA in English

🗓️ Saturday, December 27, 2025
🕕 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Impossible Stage, 2033 University Ave, Berkeley, CA

Third Culture Tales is back in the Bay! 🌍✨
Born from a deep need to connect beyond borders, languages, and inherited identities, this traveling series brings stories and music to center stage—celebrating the lived experiences of those who exist between cultures.

Join us for an evening of real stories and soul-stirring music, shared live by a powerful lineup of Bay Area artists. Whether you’re an immigrant, a child of immigrants, or someone shaped by movement, memory, and multicultural experience—this event is for you.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents a rare and unforgettable Yalda event with Sadegh Nojouki, one of Iran’s most legendary composers, arrangers, and pianists. Known as a pioneer who helped shape the sound of modern Persian pop, Nojouki has written and arranged timeless songs for some of the greatest voices of our time — from Hayedeh, Googoosh, and Ebi to Mahasti, Dariush, Moein, and beyond. come spend the longest night of the year with us!

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents the performance of Faridoddin Attar's “Dokhtare Tarsa’s and Sheikh San‘an" from his "Conference of Birds" collection of stories, performed by Shadi Moeini Nejad with an introduction by Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam.

This play, taken from the masterpiece The Conference of the Birds, carries profound lessons on the meaning of true love, expressed in a simple yet symbolic language, and will be performed by Shadi Moeini Nejad.

This program is dedicated to the people of Iran and their struggles for freedom.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of cross-cultural musical exploration with Sibarg Ensemble, a group that blends the traditions of Persian music, jazz, and free improvisation to create something truly unique. Through a rich tapestry of original compositions, classical reinterpretations, and live improvisation, Sibarg dissolves boundaries and invites us to experience music as a living dialogue.

Diaspora Arts Connection and The Roxie proudly present multiple screenings of It Was Just an Accident, the latest bold and haunting film by acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi.

Screenings:
November 12, 14, 19, 22 & 23
The Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Live Q&A with Jafar Panahi following the screenings on November 22 & 23 only

Diaspora Arts Connection and The Roxie proudly present multiple screenings of It Was Just an Accident, the latest bold and haunting film by acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi.

Screenings:
November 12, 14, 19, 22 & 23
The Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Live Q&A with Jafar Panahi following the screenings on November 22 & 23 only

Diaspora Arts Connection and The Roxie proudly present multiple screenings of It Was Just an Accident, the latest bold and haunting film by acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi.

Screenings:
November 12, 14, 19, 22 & 23
The Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Live Q&A with Jafar Panahi following the screenings on November 22 & 23 only

Diaspora Arts Connection is proud to present IMMERSION, a rare and intimate listening experience guided by master musician and composer Mohamad Khodadadi.

Blending deep roots in Persian folk traditions with formal training in classical composition, Khodadadi brings a unique sensitivity and depth to this one-of-a-kind evening. Over the course of three hours, he will guide a small audience through a personally curated selection of musical pieces, drawing from centuries-old repertoires and lesser-known regional sounds. Each piece is framed with context, reflection, and poetic insight — offering the listener a new way of connecting with music beyond performance.