"NoRouz 2003" (Click for Pics)

Thur. March 20th, 7:30 pm

Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco;

Cultural performances, traditional Persian Dinner, and dancing!

By Corpus Conrad

On March 20th, 2003, Persian Center hosted "Norouz 2003", an evening of style and opulence, at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel of San Francisco, to welcome the first day of Spring: New Year- Persian style! The event was organized and seamlessly put together by the tireless efforts of many dedicated volunteers of the Persian Center. Many Bay Area organizations had sponsored the event including Iranian American Chamber of Commerce-SF, Child Foundation, Nahaal Foundation, and Society of Iranian Professionals.

As a first time attendant to the Nouruz event, I waited until the very last minute to acquire my tickets; worried that the event would be yet another sold out venue as it has been for the last few years. As luck would have it, there was an extra ticket available and I would later find my evening rewarded with an experience I would not soon forget.

Decked out in full suit and flowing black coat, I entered the Mark Hopkins and was greeted by the graceful attending hosts who welcomed me to the event, showed off the "haft-seen" set-up (c/o Mina's Design) in the Atrium area, and offered me a glass of champagne. With ticket in hand, I was escorted to my table which was located in the Peacock Court of the hotel. I was immediately in awe of the sheer elegance of the room; from the imposing Peacock stage, the intricate geometric details of the ceiling and the fine setup of each table with odorous hyacinth centerpieces, for the 350 guests attending. To add to the visual appeal, the formally attired and stylishly clad men, women and children were deserving of attention in their own right: like sparkling jewels in a fine arrangement. The Persian Center could not have chosen a more appropriate space to host.

Throughout the evening, guests were entertained with live Persian music by the Ebrahimi brothers, and classical Persian dance performances courtesy of Niosha Dance Academy. Just before dinner, the sounds of "nay-o-sorna" announced the arrival of "Amou Norouz" who was dressed in his traditional garb singing "Amou Norouz amadeh, khoram o pirouz amadeh, Eideh Norouz amadeh". While grown-ups clapped to the beating of drums,groups of giggling smiling children waltzed around him to receive their "eidee" or gifts of gold dollar bills which symbolize blessings for the new year.

With much anticipation, attendant hotel servers came through the room with arms and hands full of steaming plates of carefully selected and prepared, traditional Persian dishes including "sabzi polo va mahi", " kookoo-e sabzi", as well as a dessert plate of "akbar mashti" ice cream sandwiches with strawberries. Truly, an evening of delights!

The evening's distinguished guests included the Honorable Mayor Tom Bates of Berkeley addressing the crowd, acknowledging the Iranian-American community as an important part of the fabric of the diverse Bay Area,and wishing them a joyful Norouz. Following the mayor and acknowledgements by board members of Persian Center, a six-year old patron, Ms. Armiti Mobin, threw the crowd into a roar after citing Rumi poetry in Persian.

To complete the fine evening of celebration, DJ Teymour spun beats of traditional and pop music in the hotel's Room of the Dons. Both young and old all gathered together to shake, clap and dance the night away and welcome the new year. Participants enjoyed fruits, traditional tea, and Persian pastries, while strolling through the various sponsor tables; many delighted in purchasing mini haft-seen tables and Norouz coloring books on display by Butimar productions. Of the many ways to celebrate the new year, the Persian Nouruz is no doubt a truly sensory experience to be had. After all, the Persians have been doing it for over 3,000 years!