Modern Aramaic makes a comeback as a language of entertainment By Eden Naby In 2007 when at the FEL annual conference (Kuala Lumpur) the participants adopted a resolution recognizing Aramaic as the oldest continuously written and spoken language of the Middle East, Assyrians, the main speakers of modern Aramaic, were already on the run for their lives in Iraq.

The story of "Badri" the little eleven years old Assyrian girl, who witnessed the exodus of her people from Urmi on the eve of July 18, 1918, is coming to life on stage at the Caliornia Theatre in San Jose, CA, on August 1, 2015. This Assyrian literature masterpiece was created by the late John Alkhas.

Three of the most distinct Assyrian female voices singing the most inspirational songs of the living legend Ashur Bet Sargis. Having hand picked the songs himself, Ashur offers his perspective on solidarity, nationalism, and the continuation of hope through his lyrics. He is not only one of the most popular Assyrian singers, but also one of our most brilliant lyricists.  In addition, this past year amidst the struggles of our people in Iraq and Syria with ISIS, Ashur made several trips to the home land to give first hand accounts of the struggle and assist in providing humanitarian aid to those in need.

Three nights ago, an Assyrian-Syrian 23 year-old violin virtuoso, performed a solo show at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC.  Then on June 25, 2015, Mariela Shaker, was at the White House to be honored by the President of the United States of America, receiving the prestigious title of becoming 2015’s CHAMPION OF CHANGE, from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNHCR).

In a period of one year, the talented singer/songwriter Rachel Sarah Thomas has performed at the Mesopotamian Night concerts in three different cities.  Her debut was in Oct. 2014 at the Chicago event, the second was last May 2015 in Los Angeles and on August 1, 2015 she will be in San Jose, California to perform at the 8th annual Mesopotamian Night at the California Theater.  She is to perform her adaptation of the legendary Assyrian singer Ashur BetSargis songs. 

Mesopotamian Night is pleased to bring to the stage from Europe the legendary Assyrian recording artist Ninib Lahdo, originally from Syria, known for his stylistic Eastern repertoire

Give Assyrians a night of music and song and we show up with our dancing shoes ready to party. It's our way, for after all, we're a musical people with a ready song on our tongue and a spring in our step. For Mesopotamian Night — Los Angeles (MN-LA), though, we can leave the shoes at the door and come in for an unforgettable musical experience.

This week we received a generous donation from Wolfhead Music, a publisher of music ancient and modern based in Bedford, Indiana.

It is our pleasure to announce that Mr. Fred Parhad, the renowned Assyrian sculptor, will be honored at the 7th annual Mesopotamian Night.  The event will be held in San Jose on June 21, 2014, at the California Theater.

Although he is not new to art, he is a new member of the Mesopotamian Night Family. Ninos Chammo (www.ninoschammo.com) is a scultptor, painter and jewelry maker – a worldwide renowned artist.