KEEPING UP WITH THE IRANIANS

Shortly after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the new leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, banned music in the country, equating it to opium. As a result, many artists relocated to Los Angeles to find new ways to make a living and pursue their artistry in exile, without financial support from the government. This often happened through recordings and concerts of the musical genre dāmbuli dimbol, as this was the type of music people danced to at mehmooni (a social gathering where one is invited to someone’s home to have dinner, dance, celebrate, etc.). It is a culture in exile consisting of dance, music, and joy, and it has long been dismissed as apolitical art by intellectuals, Marxists, Islamists, and Westerners. However, through illegal distribution, it has found its way back to Iran and become mainstream culture behind closed doors. The repression has made this music a signifier of freedom—a catalyst for realizing one’s dreams.

The performance Keeping Up with the Iranians draws from this part of music history by recreating a mehmooni with the world-famous singers Setareh and Poupak, the chart-topping pianist Fereshteh, and the renowned choreographer Dancing Dina, who are all visiting from Los Angeles. To the tunes of dāmbuli symbol songs, they invite the audience to an unforgettable evening of dance, music, cake, and joy.