GOR MKHITARIAN / IN HIS SHOES NEW ALBUM IS PASSPORT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

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8 December 2015

For Immediate Release

Los Angeles, California – Social issues and change are the focus of a new album by singer/songwriter Gor Mkhitarian, to be produced in collaboration with the In His Shoes global outreach. The 10-track album, featuring the newest collection of musical expressions is called “Passport” and tackles some of the pressing issues of the day, in particular in reference to Armenia and a despondent diaspora. With rich melody lines, innovative riffs and sensitive lyrics, this collection draws the listener into a world of hope and possibilities.

Speaking for In His Shoes, Fr. Vazken Movsesian comments, “We’re excited to be working with Gor Mkhitarian on this project. Music has power to speak to the soul. When we look at a world filled with pain and suffering, it’s important to understand that each of us is part of the problem and at the same time, part of the solution. ‘Passport’ opens a world, giving us a chance to travel to solutions that are no farther than within our reach.”

Gor Mkhitarian comes out of the Armenian rock underground and has successfully blended raw blends of Rock & Roll to some of the most moving and touching themes of Armenian Folk. “Passport” will be the eighth album in a career which spans over two decades.

This is the second collaborative effort between In His Shoes and Gor Mkhitarian. In 2008, the critically acclaimed “Spirit” album was released which has brought attention to the synthesis of spirit and soul in addressing the challenges of life.

Says Fr. Vazken, “Gor’s music is electrifying in touching the deepest parts of the soul, at the same time it is soothing, bringing inner tranquility and focus which is so necessary for finding the strength to deal with life’s challenges.”

Fr. Vazken heads the In His Shoes outreach which has been addressing issues of inhumanity, especially Genocide, with the power of love and forgiveness. The first collaboration between Fr. Vazken and Gor Mkhitarian took place in 2007 at an International forum on Forgiveness was organized by In His Shoes. Since that time, they have worked together in bringing a new approach to some of the most pressing issues and problems plaguing humanity.

Passport addresses some difficult and controversial issues including environment, poverty, domestic violence, immigration and national exodus. Planned for release in the summer of 2016, along with a world tour, a new music video will be debuted on December 18, 2015 on Gor’s Music channel: www.Youtube.com/GorMusic

For more information visit www.InHisShoes.org and Gor Mkhitarian on Facebook.
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Photo: Gor Mkhitarian & Fr. Vazken Movsesian collaborate on the “Passport” project.

100 YEAR JOURNEY at Western Diocese

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 100 Year Journey
Zorayan Museum
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank CA 91504
Media Contacts:
Ronda Berkeley 818 437 4484 ronda.berkeley@gmail.com
Fr. Vazken Movsesian 626 676 5797 vazken@inhisshoes.org

ARMENIAN ARTIST’S INTERACTIVE MESSAGE OF PEACE
The 100 YEAR JOURNEY at Zorayan Museum April 15-24, 2015

Burbank, CA: In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, beginning April 15th, thousands of Los Angeles students will experience The 100 Year Journey, an interactive exhibition of photographs, artworks, music and words celebrating peace through artist Gregory Beylerian’s personal journey to his ancestral heart land, rediscovery of his heritage and exploration of how the Armenian people continue to move forward from their near extinction in 1915.

The 100 Year Journey installation makes use of the entire space at the Zorayan Museum. The centerpiece and inspiration for Beylerian’s work are the remnants of a hand crafted wool blanket once carried through the desert by the family of a genocide survivor transformed into the image of a khatchkar; a modern version of a medieval Armenian monument stone. “100 Year Journey is the story of a nation that survived countless perils, atrocities, sufferings and even genocide, because of its rich spiritual assets,” explains exhibition producer Father Vazken Movsesian, “It is a portal that will leave you with a lasting impression of the wonders and possibilities in life.”

During the Summer of 2014, Movsesian led a group of pilgrims to both sides of Mt. Ararat. From Armenia to Artsakh to Western Armenia, the message of lasting peace was discovered and Beylerian has documented that with a wide variety of artistic expressions, including visual, audio and sensation.

Born in New York, artist Gregory Beylerian’s work crosses over many markets and genres. He often explores the use of new technologies, material and processes to merge mediums in non-traditional ways utilizing a technique inspired from his training with a Shaolin Buddhist master he describes as “flow dynamics.” Beylerian says, “I began this project over two years ago. The 100 Year Journey is not only a celebration of a peoples’ proud ancient and spiritual history, it is a dialogue of peace. I can only imagine that this is what my ancestors wanted most for us during their darkest hour. Therefore I think it is our responsibility today to honor the past by contribution to a peaceful tomorrow. If you are against genocide then you are for peace.” Beylerian has been featured on CNN, Los Angeles Times, Current TV and many fine art and photography blogs and publications.

Students from schools and churches from throughout the State will be visiting The 100 Year Journey at the Zorayan Museum located at the Lower Galleria of St Leon Armenian Cathedral 3325 North Glenoaks Blvd in Burbank and the installation will be available to the general public April 15th – 24th from 9am to 9pm. The Zorayan Museum, by presenting The 100 Journey, seeks to build bridges of appreciation and understanding and inspire dialogue with those of other religious, culture and ethnic backgrounds.

The 100 Year Journey is presented under the auspices His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and is part of the Centennial Commemorative programs of the diocese.

For more information on The 100 Year Journey and a video sneak peak visit www.100YearJourney.org

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Fr. Vazken on Nationwide Talk Show – Saturday, January 24, 2015

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Fr. Vazken Movsesian will be the guest on the Harry Bey Radio Network, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time.

Bey hosts a two-hour call-in show featuring a wide range of topics and resources to help the many population segments to whom he has been ministering on Los Angeles streets for decades. On his open-forum show titled, “Harry Bey USA” Bey interviews people from community resource organizations that help people deal with addictions and a wide range of human issues. He also speaks with religious and other community leaders who provide inspiration and opportunities for people to move forward from dark places in their lives.

This Saturday evening, Bey’s guest will be Fr. Vazken Movsesian, a priest of the Armenian Church and the head of In His Shoes Ministries. Movsesian broadcasts a weekly show “Next Step with Fr. Vazken” as well a segment called “Armenian Christianity Today”. He appears as a guest on Bey’s show and will answer questions from the audience about religion, spirituality and life-relevancy. The open-line talk show can be heard in the Los Angeles market on KRLA AM870 Radio. Check local listings for channel guide.