Tag Archives: detroit

Our Home to Artsakh – Virtual Concert Fundraiser, March 25

Posted on 03/16/2021 by aratopouzian

On September 27, 2020, Armenians in Artsakh were attacked by Azerbaijani military forces. With the support of Turkey which provided weaponry and mercenary soldiers, Azerbaijan ignored international appeals to stop the aggression and to conduct peaceful negotiations. After Azerbaijan violated … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenian, Artsakh, detroit, music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Karim Bader, Legendary Arab Oudist

Posted on 03/02/2019 by aratopouzian

Abdul Karim Bader, renown Arab oud master has passed away on February 24, 2019 in Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Bader was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1921.  “Abdel Karim” means “servant of the generous,” a reference to … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Eastern music, oud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Giving back, providing a difference to Detroit children

Posted on 08/16/2017 by aratopouzian

The other day I was given a unique opportunity to “pay it forward” within the Detroit community by providing music and education to area children. The Detroit Institute for Children provides a passionate, integrated approach to services for Michigan’s children … Continue reading →

Posted in detroit, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Promise – Detroit Premiere

Posted on 04/24/2017 by aratopouzian

In many ways, this is a difficult blog for me to put together. So many thoughts and directions I want to take and talk about surrounding the major motion picture, The Promise especially as today marks the 102nd anniversary of … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenian, armenian genocide, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Profile: Rick Robinson

Posted on 12/19/2016 by aratopouzian

Rick Robinson began playing double bass in Highland Park public schools until he attended Interlochen Arts Academy, Cleveland Institute of Music and New England Conservatory. He held several principal positions in regional orchestras as well as the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Industries, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Profile: Victor Ghannam, Musician

Posted on 11/07/2016 by aratopouzian

Victor Ghannam is a self taught musician who has performed throughout Europe, the Middle East, North, Central, and South America on a variety of instruments, mainly the Oud and Qanun. He began his musical life at the age of 4 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Guardians of Music One Year Anniversary

Posted on 03/16/2016 by aratopouzian

Hard to imagine that exactly one year ago today, my film documentary, Guardians of Music: A History of Armenian Music was released on Detroit Public Television. Like everything else, it seems like it was yesterday. My wife, Della seems more proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Does collaboration invent creativity?

Posted on 03/16/2016 by aratopouzian

Is creativity the sole invention or product of one individual or does collaboration pay an pivotal part in the process? Recently on a local Detroit radio station, reporter John McElroy reminisced about the old Pontchartrain Hotel’s bar located in downtown Detroit. He remarked how … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Industries, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Eastern Wind Reunion

Posted on 03/02/2016 by aratopouzian

As many of you know, music is not my full time occupation. I am happy that it is not and very fortunate that it permeates my life in the manner in which it does – when I want it to. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Gigs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Liana Aghajanian, Welcome to Detroit!

Posted on 02/11/2016 by aratopouzian

I met a truly inspiring young lady last tonight, Liana Aghajanian. She is new to Detroit coming from Los Angeles as she is a recipient of a residency for two years, part of Write-A-House. She was one of 232 applicants from around … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment