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ARMENIAN STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION TO PUT ON ITS FIRST ROCK CONCERT AND ART SHOW
By MICHAEL PALUMBO
Daily Bruin
http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2012/05/armenian_students039_association_to_put_on_its_fir st_rock_concert_and_art_show
May 15 2012
UCLA, CA
As a child Daniela Girbal always heard stories about her
great-grandparents' survival during the Armenian genocide of 1915,
something that has sparked her appreciation for her Armenian heritage.
Girbal, a third-year political science student and secretary of the
Armenian Students' Association, is working with the cultural committee
to organize the group's first rock show and art exhibition, titled
"Rebirth." The event will feature performances from bands Palm of
Granite and Snake Charmer Ensemble.
"We want to recognize that we're here because we (as a people)
survived. We want to make sure we live out who we are with our culture
and show others that we're a force to be reckoned with," Girbal said.
While the Armenian Students' Association does advocate recognition
of the Armenian genocide, Girbal said the organization is using the
rock show to promote a more positive message.
Razmig Sarkissian, a third-year English student and president of the
organization, said the event would primarily feature not only UCLA
Armenian student groups but also Armenian performers outside of UCLA,
such as folk-rock group Palm of Granite.
The art exhibit will feature 15 paintings from various Armenian
artists. Sarkissian said the Armenian Students' Association is
intentionally holding this concert after Genocide Awareness Week,
which was the last week of April.
"(The show) is called 'Rebirth' because it's coming off of Genocide
(Awareness) Week, and we see our culture in a state of rebirth and
renaissance, especially since it's spring," Sarkissian said.
Raffi Semerdjian, the singer and songwriter of Palm of Granite said
that his music is inspired by his Armenian heritage because of the
songs he grew up listening to.
"A lot of Armenian songs deal with loss and grievance. (There are)
themes of genocide within popular Armenian songs, as well as the
songs I write," Semerdjian said.
While Semerdjian said that the band writes and composes most of its
material, the band's 30-minute set for the rock concert will feature
a medley of two popular Armenian dance songs, one called "Tomzara"
and the other "Dance of the Seven Fishermen." Semerdjian also said
that the band added its own spin on the two songs.
"People might not recognize the song when they first hear it. We took
a couple of really cute Armenian dance songs and made them darker
and more powerful," Semerdjian said.
The singer also said that by adding more weight to the songs, their
underlying messages are more cathartic, especially for an original
song called "Home."
"('Home') is asking the audience what home means to them. It's more
than just a place ... it's a state of being that we're all trying to
find," Semerdjian said.
He also said that Palm of Granite's songs traditionally deal with
heavy themes and portray spiritual journeys the band undergoes, but
Semerdjian said he also wants people to recognize that the Armenian
genocide is only a small part of Armenian history.
"The theme of 'Rebirth' is appropriate because when people think of
Armenians, all they think about is the genocide. We want people to
get away from the idea of mourning and embrace the idea of rebirth
and creativity through Armenian music," Semerdjian said.
By MICHAEL PALUMBO
Daily Bruin
http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2012/05/armenian_students039_association_to_put_on_its_fir st_rock_concert_and_art_show
May 15 2012
UCLA, CA
As a child Daniela Girbal always heard stories about her
great-grandparents' survival during the Armenian genocide of 1915,
something that has sparked her appreciation for her Armenian heritage.
Girbal, a third-year political science student and secretary of the
Armenian Students' Association, is working with the cultural committee
to organize the group's first rock show and art exhibition, titled
"Rebirth." The event will feature performances from bands Palm of
Granite and Snake Charmer Ensemble.
"We want to recognize that we're here because we (as a people)
survived. We want to make sure we live out who we are with our culture
and show others that we're a force to be reckoned with," Girbal said.
While the Armenian Students' Association does advocate recognition
of the Armenian genocide, Girbal said the organization is using the
rock show to promote a more positive message.
Razmig Sarkissian, a third-year English student and president of the
organization, said the event would primarily feature not only UCLA
Armenian student groups but also Armenian performers outside of UCLA,
such as folk-rock group Palm of Granite.
The art exhibit will feature 15 paintings from various Armenian
artists. Sarkissian said the Armenian Students' Association is
intentionally holding this concert after Genocide Awareness Week,
which was the last week of April.
"(The show) is called 'Rebirth' because it's coming off of Genocide
(Awareness) Week, and we see our culture in a state of rebirth and
renaissance, especially since it's spring," Sarkissian said.
Raffi Semerdjian, the singer and songwriter of Palm of Granite said
that his music is inspired by his Armenian heritage because of the
songs he grew up listening to.
"A lot of Armenian songs deal with loss and grievance. (There are)
themes of genocide within popular Armenian songs, as well as the
songs I write," Semerdjian said.
While Semerdjian said that the band writes and composes most of its
material, the band's 30-minute set for the rock concert will feature
a medley of two popular Armenian dance songs, one called "Tomzara"
and the other "Dance of the Seven Fishermen." Semerdjian also said
that the band added its own spin on the two songs.
"People might not recognize the song when they first hear it. We took
a couple of really cute Armenian dance songs and made them darker
and more powerful," Semerdjian said.
The singer also said that by adding more weight to the songs, their
underlying messages are more cathartic, especially for an original
song called "Home."
"('Home') is asking the audience what home means to them. It's more
than just a place ... it's a state of being that we're all trying to
find," Semerdjian said.
He also said that Palm of Granite's songs traditionally deal with
heavy themes and portray spiritual journeys the band undergoes, but
Semerdjian said he also wants people to recognize that the Armenian
genocide is only a small part of Armenian history.
"The theme of 'Rebirth' is appropriate because when people think of
Armenians, all they think about is the genocide. We want people to
get away from the idea of mourning and embrace the idea of rebirth
and creativity through Armenian music," Semerdjian said.