Join us for a special community presentation and cultural afternoon spotlighting bold voices from the Iranian independent film scene.

The screening of "The Great Yawn of History," the acclaimed debut feature film by Aliyar Rasti, which won the Special Jury Prize in the Encounters section at Berlinale 2024, starring Saber Abar and Mohammad Aghebati, will be followed by a Q&A session by the film's actor and producer Mohammad Aghebati.

This is a celebration of film, artistic freedom, and community—and an opportunity to discover the vibrant, underground creativity emerging from the Iranian diaspora.

Presented by Diaspora Arts Connection, Third Culture Tales (TCT) is a space for stories that cross borders, challenge definitions, and celebrate the complexity of identity. On April 11, we make our Los Angeles debut with a powerful lineup of storytellers and musicians who will bring their personal journeys to the stage, exploring themes of belonging, displacement, and self-discovery.

Presented by Diaspora Arts Connection, Third Culture Tales (TCT) is a space for stories that cross borders, challenge definitions, and celebrate the complexity of identity. On March 28, we return with a powerful lineup of storytellers and musicians who will bring their personal journeys to the stage, exploring themes of belonging, displacement, and self-discovery.

Join us for a celebration of Norooz* as we welcome the arrival of Spring at the Marina Bay Park in Richmond on Saturday, March 22, 2025 between 11:00 and 5:00 PM. The City of Richmond and Diaspora Arts Connection proudly present “Norooz Spring Equinox Celebration,” where we will gather for a day of music, dance and community. This event is free and open to the public. Bring your families and friends and join us!

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents a screening of the Academy Award winning short film, In the Shadow of the Cypress, presented by directors Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi on Sunday, March 9th at 4:00 PM at Central Stage. Come meet with the directors and see their acclaimed animation. Refreshments will be served.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents B-Band Live in San Francisco on Friday, February 28, 2025. Join us for an exciting night of Iranian rock as we welcome B-Band to San Francisco for the first time. B-Band members: Behzad Khiavchi (guitar and vocals), Babak Khiavchi (guitar), Yahya Alkhansa (drums), Pouya Mehrabian (bass and backing vocals), and Milad Ashtiani (keyboards & backing vocals).

Diaspora Arts Connection and Freight & Salvage proudly present Emel Mathlouthi, a Tunisian-American singer-songwriter, composer, performer and producer whose music has crossed time, countries and continents. She rose to fame in 2012 with her protest song “Kelmti Horra” (My Word Is Free) from the eponymous album Kelmti Horra and was subsequently called the voice of the Arab spring. In 2016, she performed Kelmti Horra at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, marking a climax in her journey with this powerful song.

Join us for an exciting night of music with Kabul Dreams on Sunday, December 15th in San Francisco. Kabul Dreams will play their new works as well as many of their older music. We are delighted to welcome them back to a DAC stage again.

Join us on December 14th at the East Bay Media Center in Berkeley for an inspiring evening of storytelling, poetry, and music that transcends borders. Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents Third Culture Tales: Stories Beyond Borders, a celebration of voices from around the globe, bringing together individuals eager to share their unique experiences of living between cultures.

Diaspora Arts Connections and Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies, San Francisco State University proudly presents “A Gathering of Light for Yalda” on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 8:00 PM at Leon Events Hall in San Francisco. Join us for a night of unity through music, dance, and poetry in honor of Shabe Yalda (Winter Solstice) as we envision peace and unity on earth, bringing light into the darkest nights of the year on Winter Solstice. The event will feature spiritual and folkloric music and dances by amazing musicians and dancers.

Koubeh, formed in 2019 in Brooklyn, takes audiences on a captivating journey through Iranian melodies of the past. From sold-out shows in New York, they introduced fresh tunes like "Kook", "Gonjeshk", "Farvardin", "Ghadam Zanan". Their breakout hit, "Kook", marked a turning point, inspiring them to craft original music through collaborative and single-author efforts. Koubehband weaves their rich musical heritage into innovative unforgettable compositions.

Join us on Friday, November 9, 2024 at 7:30 PM at Central Stage for an evening of Persian classical music where diverse melodies and rhythms seamlessly fuse into a perfect whole, illuminating the collective pulse and its power to bring peace to all. Namâd Ensemble and Mahbobe Golzari will perform traditional and modern melodies, setting us afloat on an inner journey of passion and tranquility.

Join us on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 7:30 PM at Community School of Music & Art in Mountain View for an evening of Persian classical music where diverse melodies and rhythms seamlessly fuse into a perfect whole, illuminating the collective pulse and its power to bring peace to all. Namâd Ensemble and Mahbobe Golzari will perform traditional and modern melodies, setting us afloat on an inner journey of passion and tranquility.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents Ali Azimi Live in San Francisco as a part of his 2024 US tour. Join us for an amazing evening of exciting new and nostalgic music from Ali Azimi. Ali will be accompanied by musicians Yahya Alkhansa (drums), Faarjam Saidi (bass), Kourosh Kanani (guitar), and Ali Bros (keyboard).

Join us for a night of music from Boushehr with Paris-based musician Habib Meftah and Netherlands-based musician Rouzbeh Esfand on Friday, September 20, 2023 at Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center in Berkeley.

For the second year in Los Angeles, Diaspora Arts Connection is proud to present "Let Her Sing 2024: A Celebration of Female Voices" in Los Angeles. Nine female vocalists and a group of exceptional musicians will come together on Sunday, September 8, 2024 to celebrate the female voice, suppressed, censored, and threatened in parts of the world.

For the eighth year running, Diaspora Arts Connection is proud to present "Let Her Sing 2024: A Celebration of Female Voices." Eight female vocalists and a group of exceptional musicians will come together on Friday, September 6, 2024 to celebrate the female voice, suppressed, censored, and threatened in parts of the world.

You’re cordially invited to a vibrant evening of art, music, and entertainment! Mark your calendars for July 21st, as Diaspora Arts Connection hosts a special fundraiser at the beautiful Leon Event Hall in San Francisco. This unforgettable night promises a rich showcase of artistic talent, featuring live music performances, stunning art displays, and much more. It’s all in support of our ongoing efforts to empower and promote artists from diverse diasporas.

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion presented in conjunction with Yalda Moaiery's evocative photo exhibition hosted by the Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI), Diaspora Arts Connection, and Sausalito Art Center. Yalda Moaiery, a distinguished photojournalist and 2024 World Press Photo Jury member, will share her recent experiences from Iran, highlighting the critical role of photography in confronting censorship and repression, a conversation that will delve into the profound impact of photojournalism in shaping and challenging social and political narratives in Iran.

The Sausalito Center For The Arts, Artistic Freedom Initiative, and Diaspora Arts Connection are honored to present Standing in the Dust, Photography of Yalda Moaiery.

Diaspora Arts Connection is honored to present "Bridges: Safa Shahidi's Music from East to West" on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at The Green Room at San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center. Accomplished Iranian pianist and composer Safa Shahidi will present his soulful arrangements and composition which visit Persian melodies within the framework of Western classical music and create a cultural bridge between East and West. Join us for an unforgettable night of music and community.

Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University and Diaspora Arts Connection proudly present “Voices Unveiled: Rhymes of the Persian Queers” in celebration of the Pride Month on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 1 to 3 PM. The event will feature music and poetry readings by members of the Iranian LGBTQ+ community.

Join us for an enlightening poetry performance through evocative verse and stirring performances, from classical odes to contemporary spoken word, in both Persian and English. The event will explore themes of identity, love, and acceptance, shedding light on often marginalized perspectives of the LGBTQ+ members of the Persian culture, while fostering empathy and understanding. This event will be emceed by Kelleh Zarrin, accompanied by music from members of the Papillon Band. Come join us for an afternoon of community and celebration.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents the Music in-Takht Ensemble on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 8:00 PM at Mountain View Center for Performing Arts' SecondStage.

Immerse yourself in a captivating musical adventure with "From Farouk to Fusion," an enchanting concert featuring the brilliant Egyptian ensemble, Music in-Takht. Taking the audience on a transcendent journey through time, the performance gracefully traverses the evolution of Egyptian instrumental music, starting from the era of King Farouk, the last king of Egypt, and culminating in the vibrant landscape of contemporary Egyptian sound. Music in-Takht skillfully showcases the evolution of their nation's musical heritage from the classic elegance of past eras to the dynamic fusion of today's global influences.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents Iranian poet Sheida Mohammadi on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Central Stage in Richmond. Sheida Mohammadi will talk about Love and Eroticism in Persian Poetry, with an emphasis on female Iranian poets' language and style over the past thousand years. Refreshments will be available. A Q&A session will follow the talk.

This presentation is entirely in Persian language.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents Pallett Band in San Francisco on Saturday, April 21, 2024 at 7:00 PM. Join us for an amazing program featuring Pallett’s new album, “Dream Away with Me,” and their old songs.

[SOLD OUT- SECOND SHOW ADDED] Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents Pallett Band in San Francisco on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 8:00 PM. Join us for an amazing program featuring Pallett’s new album, “Dream Away with Me,” and their old songs.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents "Sounds of Azerbijan: A Musical Journey," honoring the late Azerbaijani musician and icon, Chingiz Sadykhov, on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7:30 PM at the Community School of Music and Arts' Finn Center in Mountain View. Join us for an enchanting night of music by amazing musicians Amir Bayat on piano, Vahid Bayat vocals, Aydin Shaterian on tar, with special guest musician: Imamyar Hasnov on Kamancheh. This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Join us for an intimate performance by Gelareh Sheibani on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 7:30 PM at Central Stage in Richmond. Accompanied by Mohammad Talani (arrangement, guitar), Arash Pajand Moghaddam (drums) , and Lukas Vesely (bass), Gelareh will perform a selection of her nostalgic songs and works from her new collection.

Diaspora Arts Connection proudly presents: In remembrance of Dariush Mehrjui, this recent documentary explores the creation of his groundbreaking 1969 Iranian New Wave film The Cow.

Filmmaker Bahman Maghsoudlou will be present for questions and answers following the screening.

“An incisive, illuminating look at THE COW, arguably the most important and influential film in the history of Iranian cinema.” — Godfrey Cheshire