UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday July 25, 2010
Please join ACOM for a celebration of the Divine Liturgy (Badarak)
followed by a meal in fellowship hall sponsored by ACOM. All are welcome.
Divine Liturgy begins at 10:30AM and is followed by the meal in fellowship hall after the service.
St Sahag Armenian Church - 203 N. Howell St., St. Paul
ONGOING EVENTS
GIVING OPPORTUNITY-
In these difficult economic times it is important that children and adults eat a balanced diet in order to stay healthy. As descendants of those who were known as 'The Starving Armenians', feeding the hungry should be a top priority for us. Use of food shelves has increased this year, a reflection of the current economic situation. To help meet this higher need, ACOM has a Food Barrel located in the Fellowship Hall of St. Sahag Church, and everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a few non-perishable food items - or even a whole bag full! - to add to it. Take one of the empty bags found next to the barrel and fill it at your favorite grocery store. Place your donations in the barrel any day you are at the church. They will be delivered to the Keystone Community Services Food Shelf. Your generosity will make a difference to those in need.
Recaps of Past Events
Thanks for all the people who worked and attended the 30th Anniversary ACOM picnic. The picnic was a great success. For a recap of the day and pictures, plesase go to the ACOM Photo Gallery page.
Dr. John Najarian Book Signing *** June 12, 2010 ***
A wonderful evening was spent in the company of Dr. John Najarian, who spoke about his autobiography and read a chapter from the book. The audience was enthralled by Dr. Najarian's story and responded by purchasing almost $1000 worth of books. The proceeds all go to the Living Donor Transplant Assistance Fund.
Armen Donelian Concertwith special guest Twin Cities Hot Club *** May 23, 2010 ***
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Armen Donelain
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Jazz Piano Virtuoso Armen Donelian performed a concert at St. Sahag Armenian Church Sanctuary, with a local group Twin Cities Hot Club opening..
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The Armenian Cultural Organization of Minnesota presented a solo piano concert by Armen Donelian. Mr. Donelian has distinguished himself in 23 countries as a performer, recording artist, master class leader, and with his published writings. Donelian’s music is a distinctive blend of influences including his Armenian origin, his Classical technique, and his association with some of the biggest names in Jazz. Local group Twin Cities Hot performed as a trio to open the concert. The concerytwas well received and a reception followed in fellowship hall.
- In 23 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle and Far East, ARMEN DONELIAN has performed and recorded since 1975 as a featured solo pianist, leader of his own quintet and trio, and with Jazz legends including Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Paquito D’Rivera, Mongo Santamaria and Billy Harper. Armen Donelian is a Fulbright Senior Scholar for work in Armenia, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden. He has received six Jazz Performance Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts for concerts and master classes. A faculty member at New School University since 1986 and William Paterson University since 1993, Donelian has taught at conservatories throughout the world. Mr. Donelian will have CDs for sale after the concert.
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For more information and photos for Mr. Donelian, visit http://www.armenjazz.com/bio.html
For more information on Twin Cities Hot Club, visit www.twincitieshotclub.com
Armenians at the Festival of Nations *** April 29-30, May 1-2 ***
This year at the Festival of Nations in St. Paul, ACOM presented a demonstration of the art/craft of manuscript illumination and book-making in the Bazaar Area of the Festival. This demonstration was excellent and garnered many positive comments. A number of Silk items were sold and there was a great deal of interest in the books (made by community members) that were on display, including a number of requests to purchase a book. Many, many thanks to Janet and Lynne for directing this exhibit, and to the many community members who donated their time and talent to make the exhibit a success.
The Armenian Dance Ensemble of Minnesota presented dances of Historic Armenia in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. They had 6 performances over the four days of the Festival. The dances presented were well recieved and many positive and complimentary remarks were received. Armenians have had a presence at the Festival since its beginnings in 1932.
For more information on the Festival of Nations go to http://festivalofnations.com/
Genocide Remembrance Day *** Saturday April 24, 2010 ***
Saturday April 24th - Genocide Remembrance Day - The remembrance was held by ACOM (Armenian Cultural Organization of Minnesota) at St. Sahag Armenian Church. The ACOM program was preceded by a Hokehankisd (Requiem Service) offered by Pastor Der Hrach Sargsyan. The Remembrance program featured musical pieces performed by the students and director of the St. Sahag School of Music, Stepan Khachatryan; a reading given by Sita Ohanessian; and a keynote presentation on "Scandinavian Missionaries, Gender, and Armenian Refugees During World War I" given by Inger Marie Okkenhaug from Volda University College, Norway.
The event was attended by about 100 people and followed by a reception hosted by ACOM in the Church Fellowship Hall.
For pictures and views of the program, go to the ACOM Photo Gallery Page Genocide Memorial 2010
Manuscript Illumination Workshop *** Saturday, April 17, 2010 ***
A workshop preparing items for the Festival of Nations -- this year we demonstrated the art/craft of manuscript illumination and book-making. This was our second workshop in preparation for the Festival. A number of members of the ACOM community to volunteered at our demonstration area during the Festival -- which took place April 29-30 and May 1-2.
"Global Stewardship: The Church at work in Armenia" *** Sunday, April 18, 2010 ***
ACOM member Phil Asigian talked about the work of the Jinishian Foundation as well as mission work of other groups in Armenia. Phil traveled to Armenia last September and visited Nagorno-Karabakh as well. More than 40 people were in attendance.
Gaghant Dinner/Dance *** Saturday, January 16, 2010 ***
The Annual Gaghant dinner/dance party was held Saturday, January 16, 2010. The party started at 5:30 pm with appetizers and socializing.** New This Year ** was a Silent Auction starting at 5:30PM and ending at 8:45PM. There were a number of great items that were auctioned off to an enthusiastic bidding crowd. Dinner was served starting at ~7:30. A brief general meeting of ACOM was held presented by Cynthia Erickson (now Past President) who provided a synopsis of the activities of ACOM during the past year.
The results of the election of ACOM executive board members were then announced -
Taking over as President - Mark Keljik (Vice President last year moving to President this year), Tom Keljik - Vice President, Lou Ann Matossian - Cultural and External Affairs Director, Mark Wiersbeck- Social Director, Nairy Digris - Treasurer, Lynne Gildensoph - Secretary, and Peggy Merjanian who has been the editor of the ACOM Newsletter for 22 years (many thanks, Peggy). Congratulations were given to the new board. Dessert and dancing followed. All-in-all a delightful evening.
Shopping never felt so good! On November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, 15% of all purchases made through www.madeinarmeniadirect.com (or via their toll-free number at 1-866-381-6423) or a total of $78.74 was donated to the Armenian Cultural Organization of Minnesota (ACOM). Many thanks to those who made purchases from this organization, you supported artisans in Armenia as well as helping ACOM. Part of the goal of MIAD (Made in Armenia Direct) is to help the creators of these items become self sustaining as well as give customers the satisfaction of owning fine quality items made in Armenia.
Concert in Memory of Beatrice Ohanessian *** Sunday, November 15 at 4:30 pm ***
Was held in the sanctuary of St. Sahag Church and Community Center, 203 North Howell Street, St. Paul, MN. This fall our community had the opportunity to enjoy some delightful music which was performed at a free concert held in memory of our late friend, Beatrice Ohanessian. This concert was organized by Sita Ohanessian and involved a wide variety of musicians, some from as far away as Julliard in New York City. A light supper followed the Concert.
Voski Ashoun *** Saturday October 3, 2009 ***
The annual Fall Voski Ashoun was presented by the Armenian Cultural Organization on Saturday evening October 3, 2009. The evening began at 7:00PM with entertainment presented by members of our community. The entertainment was followed by refreshments provided by the Women's Guild. Look for pictures of the performers on the ACOM Photo Gallery Page (or click here to go to the page)
Turk's Inn Dinner Excursion *** Sept. 26, 2009 ***
The dinner excursion to Turk's Inn in Hayward Wisconsin was very succeessful. Turk's Inn is owned and operated by an Armenian (Marge Gogian) and the dinner was a traditional Lamb Shish-Kabob. The restaurant is located in Hayward, WI which is 140 miles from St. Paul (about a 2 1/2 hour drive). Some Pictures ==> Entrance and Bar ==> Click here for additional pictures.
Armenian Dance Ensemble at State Fair *** September 5, 2009 ***
The Armenian Dance Ensemble gave 4 half-hour performances at the Festival of Nations Stage in the International Bazaar Area. The performances presented a varying set of dances mostly from the Historic regions of Armenia. Traditional costumes were worn for 2 sets as well as more modern attire for the other 2 sets. Pictures can be found on the Dance Ensemble page under "ADE at 2009 MN State Fair".
The ACOM annual Picnic was held at St. Sahag Armenian Church. Food, games, Moonwalk (for the young and the young-at-heart), tavloo, socializing, and music were featured. ACOM provided beverages. Attendees brought a wonderful variety of food to share. Over 110 people attended (25 were children). See the photo gallery page for pictures.
The Seventh Arsham and Charlotte Ohanessian Lecture *** June 17, 2009 ***
The lecture by Khachadour Mouradian - "What's in a name?: The Adoption of 'Genocide' to Describe the Annihilation of the Armenians in 1915-16", was held on June 17, 2009 at 7:30PM in the Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union. Mr. Mouradian gave a thought-provoking lecture on the history and background of the names that have been used to describe the events of 1915-1916. An attentive audience both from the Armenian community and other friends attended.