Concert to Celebrate Armenian Genocide Memorial

PASADENA, Calif.—Levitt Pavilion Pasadena has partnered with the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee to celebrate and bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide Memorial — planned for Pasadena’s Memorial Park — with a performance by Armenian synth/pop band Echocell on Thursday, Aug. 7, at Memorial Park. A pre-concert festival begins at 6:30 p.m. Music begins at 8 p.m.

Representatives from the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee, along with Levitt Pavilion board members and staff, will address the audience and present project details. Information about the Memorial will be available at an on-site booth and donations accepted as the project will be constructed and maintained with private funding.

“In the five years of my service as president of Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, I have not been involved in any event as meaningful and significant as the Aug. 7 concert,” says Board President, Darrell Brooks. “I am honored to have it occur on my ‘watch.’”

Pasadena is home to a large Armenian community. In 2013 community leaders formed the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee to establish and maintain a public memorial of the Armenian Genocide within the City. The proposed site is in the northwest section of Memorial Park. The planned dedication in 2015 will coincide with 100th anniversary commemorations of the Armenian Genocide.

Art Center College of Design student Catherine Menard designed the Memorial. More information is available at www.pasagmc.org.

Los Angeles-based Echocell is comprised of Istanbul-born singer/songwriter Belinda Kazanci and songwriter/keyboardist Adam Beltran.

“When I heard about the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial I was touched by what was being created, not only as an awareness-building monument but also as a form of art in our local parks,” says Kazanci, whose great-grandmother was killed in the Armenian Genocide.

“I hope during our concert we will be able to spread the word about the Memorial so that more contributors will help make this project a reality.”

Kazanci tapped into her Armenian roots on the band’s new EP, which features the traditional Armenian duduk instrument. More information available at http://www.echocell.com