Petrelis Files

Sup. Mirkarimi: Persian New Year Party,
Tonight at SF City Hall

(Dancers performing at the 2007 Persian New Year party in the rotunda of SF's City Hall. Photo courtesy of Luke Thomas, of Fog City News.)

There's always an art reception and party on the third Friday of every month at Ross Mirkarimi's office in City Hall. Ross, who's of Russian and Iranian heritage, a leader in the Green Party and a straight man who stands in solidarity with gays and lesbians in Iran.

He easily and graciously rings together a beautiful tapestry of different citizens at the parties. I try to make it to as many of his reception as possible because of the mix of people, the arts, and lots of political banter.

But tonight's reception is a tad out of the ordinary and more special for people like me who want to learn more about Persian culture, in that it falls near a major holiday for Iranian people. I'm going to Ross's party tonight and it will be the first time I'm joining in a celebration of Persian New Year, and I hope it's the first of many for me.

So, if you're in the area of San Francisco's City Hall this evening, come by Ross's digs and have some fun!

Here's the lowdown:

Third Friday Art Party: Celebrate Persian New Year with Supervisor Mirkarimi

This event is free and open to the general public.

What: Nowruz Deed-o Bazdeed Celebration
When: Friday, March 21st, 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Supervisor Mirkarimi's office
Room 282 at City Hall
Van Ness Ave. between McAllister and Grove Streets

Please come to the first annual Nowruz Deed-o Bazdeed with Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi at his office in San Francisco City Hall. Deed-o Bazdeed means to exchange visits with friends and family signifying the first12 days of the Persian New Year celebration. On Friday March 21st, we will serve Chai (tea) and Shirini (Persian Sweet) while visiting each other in the customary tradition of Nowruz.

The event also features the art work of three popular Iranian Artists representing Iranian themes and the Persian New Year: Nasser Ovissi: Born in Tehran, 1934, Ovissi is one of the most popular painters inside and outside Iran; Zaman Zamani is one of the most popular mixed media artists inside and outside Iran; and Mohammad Hourian: Born in Hamedan, Iran, the capital of ancient Persia, 1955.

Mr. Hourian was the youngest artist to be elected to the Iranian National Academy of Fine Arts, at age 20. The works of these artists will be on display for one month.