06 06 23 - Amphitheatre Abkar Abkarian presents

June 16 (Fri), 8 pm—Element Band Plays the Ford Amphitheatre Abkar Abkarian presents Element—one of the most exciting new groups to emerge from Los Angeles' diverse world music community. Element won the 2004 Armenian Music Awards' "Best Newcomer Album of the Year" award for their release, Yev O Phe. The concert also features comedienne Lory Tatoulian during intermission.While some describe Element's music as "folk" because it embodies the expressions and traditional sounds of diverse cultures and styles within the Armenian diaspora, the band serves up a compelling combination of melodic rock that's harmoniously partnered with the bold yet warm sounds of the Mediterranean. More still, the fiery and passionate notes of the tango and flamenco waft in and out with pulsing cadences, infusing listeners with an upbeat energy in a way that only Element can.With arrangements boundless and unhindered, at once complex and elegant—and through the use of live musical instruments—the music is simply pure both in purpose and in delivery. No wonder, then, that Element enthralls listeners of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and tastes.Writes the Element Band, "An element is nature's purest, simplest form of unity—the perfect harmony of oneness—able to be freely blended with others to create intricate compositions and finite arrangements and rearrangements. Element, then, is the name of this combination of musicians, who throughout their presence on earth have yearned to become more than what they are, to be bound with each other and take new form."Like the Phoenix we have risen from the ashes of a purifying, regenerative fire that has forged our new essence—in which music is the way and the life—without which we could not be.Element is: Ara Dabandjian (keyboard, guitar, accordion), Saro Koujakian (vocals and guitar), Gars Sherbetdjian (vocals), Shant Mahserejian (violin), and Jeremy Millado (bass); an elemental unity of spirit and mind."Tickets $50 preferred seating; $30 general admission. Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Los Angeles 90068. Call 818.342.6624 or 818.343.4757, email Maral, or visit the Ford web site.

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