July 29, 2006

\"THE ARMENIAN DRAMATIC ARTS ALLIANCE HOSTS LUNCHEON IN

HOLLYWOOD FOR SIMONE ABKARIAN

Hollywood, Ca. 

On Monday, July 24th, the newly formed Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) hosted a luncheon in honor of French Armenian actor/director Simone Abkarian who was in town to direct Love's Labor's Lost, a Shakespeare play for the Actor's Gang Theater of Los Angeles. The play which has been receiving rave reviews, can be seen at the Ivy Substation in Culver City where it will run through September, 2006. It also features the wonderful music of composer and musician, Ara Dabandjian.
Mr. Abkarian, who has had a distinguished film career, most recently was in the Bahamas filming for the new James Bond film "Casino Royale" due out in November this year. 
The luncheon was attended by various Hollywood professionals as well as a host of ADAA advisory board members including screenwriter Jose Rivera, artist Vahe Berberian and journalist Joan Agajanian Quinn. Some new faces amongst the group were FOX TV correspondent, Anita Vogel, documentary film-maker Carla Garapedian and award wining producer and casting director, Valerie McCaffrey. During the course of the meal, board of directors members Karen Kondazian and Bianca Bagatourian led a discussion regarding the goals and growth of the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance whose aim is to project the Armenian voice through the arts of stage and screen. Various artists also had a chance to talk about their particular needs and how ADAA could serve them best. Through many such events and discussions, this new non-profit organization hopes to establish specific channels through which to help Armenian artists prosper in the dramatic performing arts fields. More information and photos can be viewed at their website at: www.armeniandrama.org or write to adaa@techfusion.com