Twin Cities Mehregan Fall Iranian Culture Festival

We are excited to announce the lineup for our 2023 Fall Iranian Culture Festival, “Mehregan: A Persian Celebration of Love, Kindness and Hope, to be held October 7 at the new 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul event space. (Enter next to salon.)

The doors will open at: 11:00 a.m. with:

•  a display of Iranian tapestry, embroidery and silver works, from the collections of Niccu Tafarrodi.
•  a chaikhaneh (tea house) featuring Iranian tea served from traditional Iranian samovars, and sweets provided by the Southdale’s Luminous Cafe.

Lunch items will be available for purchase from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. , including chicken or lamb skewers (koobideh) with flat bread. Cooked on an outdoor grill by master chef Alireza.

The afternoon program kicks off at 1:15 p.m. with a welcome by TCICC board chair Hossein Jalali.

1:30 – 2:30 A special appearance by singer-songwriter-artist Marjan Farsad, before she begins her national tour. She’s performing in the Twin Cities on November 5!

2:30 – 3:30 Pianist Faraz Ghassemi performs a program of music inspired by his Iranian heritage, including classical melodies, pop favorites and original compositions.

3:30 – 4:30 – the poetry of Omar Khayyam, set to music like you have never heard it before! Setar master Dan Rein sings and plays the setar, dotar, and dotar banjo, accompanied by Mikkel Beckman on washboard, Sean Egan on bass clarinet and percussion, and Matt Cartier (from the popular Americana / Roots  band Pert Near Sandstone) on  banjo.

4:30-5:30 Classical Persian Dancer Parisa Naini and the Shirzan Dance Ensemble performing traditional Iranian folk dances. Just back from their appearance at the San Antonio, Texas Mehregan festival!

5:30 – 7:00 – light dinner fare for purchase, including aush reshteh (barley noodle soup), meat cutlet sandwiches and kuku sabzi (Iranian veggie quiche).

7:00 – Music on the cutting edge – a “telematic electronic ambient jazz composition with visual arts,” performed by guitarist composer Niayesh Shababi on stage, with Mohamad Nikpour connecting remotely from Quebec.

8:00 p.m. – 9:30: dancing to Persian pop with DJ Mohammad Sargazi.