2022 - IAS Mehregan Performance - Classical Music & Dance of Persia

Dedicated to the People of Iran

A portion of the net proceeds of this Mehregan Performance was donated to Amnesty International. Amnesty International is an organization which focuses and campaigns to end abuses of human rights throughout the world and specifically in Iran.

On our 40th anniversary, please join The Iranian American Society of New York, Inc. (IAS), a non-profit, non-religious and non-political 501(c)(3) New York organization, for a Mehregan Celebration and allow a star-studded panel of Persian artists take you through a nostalgic and unforgettable evening with the music and contemporary dance of Persia.

Mehregan is a Zoroastrian and Iranian Festival of Autumn celebrated to honor the yazata (angelic divinity) Mithra, which is responsible for friendship, affection and love. Mehregan was the second most important festival, falling behind Nowruz. Due to these two festivals being heavily connected with the role of Iranian kingship, rulers were usually crowned on either Mehregan or Nowruz.

PART I The first part of the program for the evening will include the memorable classical Iranian music taking us back in time with Master Saeed Farajpoori on Kamanche (Spike Fiddle), Dr. Amir Koushkani on Tar (Long-Necked Lute), Hamin Honari on Tombak (Goblet Drum), and Vocalist Raha Yousefi. This ensemble will undoubtedly perform an event to be remembered. Master Saeed Farajpoori is among the greatest performers of the Iranian Kamanche. He is joined by Dr. Amir Koushkani, who is a researcher and master performer of the Iranian Tar. These musicians come together to present Iranian music in a manner that is faithful to the style of music which would have been presented during the late Qajar Dynasty of Iran (1789-1920). Persian classical music dates back many centuries and these artists will present music which honors these ancient traditions in a mystical and beautiful concert.

PART II The second part of the evening’s program is called the THE ART OF IMPROVISATION with Contemporary Iranian Dance and Music. Shahrokh Moshkin-Ghalam, Pejman Hadadi, and Behfar Bahadoran will take the stage to explore the ecstatic art of improvised music and dance. With his revolutionary style of dance, Shahrokh will be the manifestation of Pejman’s masterful percussive expressions and Behfar’s spontaneous motifs based on the Persian classical Dastgah and Maqam music recreated on multiple Iranian lute shaped instruments. Shahrokh’s hypnotizing movements, Pejman’s masterful rhythmic colorization, and Behfar’s contemplative exploration of Persian classical music will enthrall the audience.