What's On

Family Festival: Persia

GETTY VILLA

The Getty Villa

This is a past event

Tickets for both days of the Family Festival will be available on March 26 and 27 through the link above.

Experience the sights and sounds of ancient Iran through music, dance, storytelling, hands-on workshops, and interactive events. Make your own puppet inspired by Persian stories, forge a set of golden wings, or craft jewelry based upon examples from 2,500 years ago. Discover the wonders of this enduring culture in this daylong festival inspired by the exhibition Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World.

ALL DAY ACTIVITIES
Golden Wings Workshop with Marni Gittleman
Create your very own customized pair of embossed, wearable golden wings inspired by the luxury artwork of ancient Persian kingdoms, with Marni Gittleman. Glimmer, fly, glide and shimmer as you explore the ancient world of the Getty Villa.

Persian Bijouterie Workshop with Marcus Kuiland-Nazario
Make a headdress, pendant, or bracelet based on royal iconography from Persia. This one-of-a-kind accessory workshop is led by LA artist Marcus Kuiland-Nazario.

Take Your Picture with an Ancient Trireme
Strike a pose in front of a re-creation of a a trireme, an ancient ship with three sets of oars used in the Persian wars. The trireme was designed and built for this festival by artist Kiel Johnson. Photos by Snap Yourself.

Kooban Ensemble
Under the direction of Vandad Massahzadeh, the Kooban Ensemble plays classical and folkloric music of Iran. Traditional Iranian instruments such as the setar, tar, santour and tombak are highlighted in their performances.

EVENT SCHEDULE
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Unity and Love (Persian Calligraphy)
Using the theme of unity and the words of the great Persian lyric poet Hafez, LA artist Mohtadi Mirak creates a calligraphic painting with a rainbow of colors.

11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
L.A. Daf Ensemble with Melieka Fathi Dance Company
This LA-based, all-women ensemble performs popular, classical, and regional folk music from Iran on the daf, a large hand-held frame drum unique to Iran. Led by artistic director, Arezoo Koochakan, the ensemble is joined by local Iranian choreographer Melieka Fathi and her company, whose dance style blends historic roots and diasporic inspirations.

12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.
Namaki by Negar Estakhr & Nargol Rashidian Music by Vandad and Arezoo
Celebrated Iranian puppet master Negar Estakhr and her gifted daughter Nargol Rashidian present a puppet show inspired by the famous Iranian folktale Namaki, the story of a girl who lives in a huge house with seven doors. Every night before going to bed, Namaki must close all the doors, but one night she forgets to close the last door and so begins an adventure only Namaki’s wit and intelligence can solve!

12:45 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
Me and My Puppet
Using simple techniques, create your own puppet character from recyclable materials and discover the life and creativity in all objects. Your puppet will love coming home with you to perform stories together! Led by Negar Estakhr, one of Iran’s foremost puppeteers.

1:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
L.A. Daf Ensemble with Melieka Fathi Dance Company

1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
See your Name in Persian Calligraphy
Have your name immortalized in Persian calligraphy by artist Mohtadi Mirak.

2:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Namaki by Negar Estakhr & Nargol Rashidian Music by Vandad and Arezoo

3:15 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
Me and My Puppet