Melieka Fathi, Erfan, and ASADI
"Bazr" A Live Performance - for Nowruz 2023
Proudly Presents
The Melieka Fathi Dance Co., Erfan, and ASADI
in
A Live Performance of BAZR In Honor of Nowruz 1402
"Bazr, an original composition by Erfan and ASADI, speaks to the notion of rebirth and growth, fitting to both the sentiment of Nowruz as well as our collective desire for freedom in Iran through the revolution that is currently in place. This live, one-take performance was inspired by the rooftop performances of artists living in Iran, specifically women, who use these environments to display their craft as they are often not allowed to in the public sphere. We wish for the day that all Iranian artists can create and perform freely in their homeland." - Melieka Fathi, Erfan, ASADI
About Melieka Fathi
Melieka Fathi is a choreographer and performer of classical and contemporary Iranian dance. Her unique choreography style is defined as a blend of historic roots and diasporic inspirations. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, her passion for dance was paved through a sacred connection to Iranian arts, and by the exploration of her identity as an Iranian-American woman.
She is the founder and artistic director of the Melieka Fathi Dance Company based in Los Angeles, California. The company was founded in 2017 with a desire to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity through dance. All company dancers are trained in classical Iranian dance as well as varying western and eastern styles. The company’s primary focus is to foster collaborations with world-renowned artists and organizations in an effort to preserve and expand upon Iranian arts within diaspora communities.
About Erfan Paydar
Erfan Paydar is an Iranian rapper, songwriter, producer and label owner, considered to be one of the main founders and ambassadors of Persian rap music. His views are a result of his personal experiences and that is reflected in his poems. His songs provide a mixture of commentary on daily life as well as politics, poetry, and social issues. Erfan launched his career in 2007 with the official launch of his first album titled "AZ KHANEH". His latest collaboration album "AYATOLTRAP" with artist Gdaal was released in 2019.
About Asadi
Asadi is an Iranian-American Electronic Music Producer & Performance Artist from Columbus, Ohio. He is known for his rare middle eastern influence and impressive performance ability. In the studio, his knowledge in the land of Persian Composition uniquely activates a sense of timelessness that the world can resonate with, and his instruments play a strong role in illustrating such emotion. They include the Persian Setar, Persian Tar, Persian Daf, and Italian Mandolin. He brings these delicate sounds to life when performed with his drum machine, in which he effortlessly triggers his entire rhythm section completely live on 16 electronic pads. ASADI’s artistry derived from a lifetime passion in writing songs, first learning piano at the age of 5. In high school, his parents gifted him with a drumpad and some persian instruments he never knew existed. This flipped a switch and birthed the 10 year voyage to who he is today. From his diligent hustle on social media, from a thousand hours of perfecting is craft.
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