Sedona AZ (September 16, 2014) – Glamorously eccentric and enigmatic Theremin master Armen Ra returns to Sedona for “An Evening with Armen Ra” — special film screenings and live concerts — on the Goldenstein Stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. There will be three performances Sept. 25-27, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival, in partnership with Sedona/Verde Valley Pride.
Armen Ra — Theremin virtuoso and star of the documentary “When My Sorrow Died: The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin” — returns to Sedona after a sold-out, standing-room only screening and concert at the recent Illuminate Film Festival. Now is your chance to experience the magic that is Armen, his life and his music.
Armen Ra is a spellbinding character off stage and when he steps up to play his Theremin. Rivaling Clara Rockmore with style & attitude and as original and uncompromising as Klaus Nomi, “When My Sorrow Died” takes an intimate look at the life of the Iranian-born Armenian, turned concert performer, by way of the New York club scene. It’s a feast for the eyes, visually lush with a rich palette of colors, as well as the ears, with footage from a number of Ra’s concert performances.
Armen Ra recounts his dynamic journey in this life-spanning documentary that mixes rare concert performances, candid interviews, and archive material with the magical power of music that can alchemize ancient sorrow into timeless beauty.
Born in Tehran to a father who worked for Iran Air, a mother who was a concert pianist (and with an aunt who was an opera singer), Armen was lucky enough to travel the world on frequent vacations when he was a child. A precocious little boy, he delighted in sewing the costumes for his puppet shows and displayed a florid imagination which, as he grew, was applied to crafting his exotic persona.
When political unrest in Iran caused his family to relocate to America, Armen was frequently bullied at school. He quickly decided that he had nothing in common with his classmates and soon found his way to New York City, where he began a new chapter of his life.
Take the only instrument you play but never touch and put it in the hands of a human who touches every soul they meet. Let Armen Ra transport you to another time and place with his magic and beauty.
There will be three presentations of “An Evening with Armen Ra” (featuring screenings of “When My Sorrow Died” and live concert performances) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, Sept. 25-27, at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $15 general admission and $13 for Film Festival members and students. All tickets include a meet-and-greet with Armen Ra in the lobby after the show.
The Thursday evening performance will kick off the Sedona/Verde Valley Pride weekend celebration with a special reception in the theatre courtyard before the show. The public is invited to all three performances.
Visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org for tickets and performance information or call 928-282-1177. Both the Sedona International Film Festival Office and the Mary D. Fisher Theatre are located at 2030 W. SR 89A in West Sedona.
