Roqe

A new edition of Roqe beginning with an essay tribute to Manoto TV by Jian after the closing of the Persian language network this week. Also, a feature interview with the dynamic visual artist, Dana Nehdaran joining from New York. Dana discusses his life journey, from loving painting as a kid in Isfahan to becoming a beloved visual artist in the US - from portraiture (and self-portraits) to his recent series called, Esther's Children exploring his own Jewish (Iranian) lineage. Plus, award-winning cartoonist, blogger and journalist, Nikahang Kowsar joins Jian and Pegah for The Roundtable to discuss the closure of ManoTo, the untimely and suspicious visit of UN deputy high commissioner Nada Al Nashif to Iran, and ever-increasing concerns about the dire situation of air pollution in Iran.

A new edition of Roqe including a feature interview with Iranian-Norwegian dancer, choreographer and “Persia’s Got Talent” winner, Navid Rezvani. Navid joins Jian from Oslo to discuss his bold perspective on the current state of Iran, his defiance of Iranian dance laws, and his inspiring life journey. Plus Jian opens the show with an audio essay entitled, “The Islamic Republic IS at war

…against the Iranian people.” And Pegah and Raha are in the Roqe Studio to address the heart-wrenching news of Mohammad Ghobadlou’s execution and the ongoing struggles faced by Iranians worldwide in the face of the atrocities committed by the Islamic Republic. All this and Jian gives some clues about the upcoming Roqe Live event taking place at the Theatre Aurora on Feb 7th.

A new edition of Roqe focusing on the legacy of the great Iranian songwriter, musician, singer and recording star, Habib. Jian is joined by the late musical icon’s son, Mohamad Mohebian, for a feature hour, to discuss the remarkable talents, famous songs, difficult story…and, in the end, tragic life of Habib - told for the first time in a comprehensive way in English. Jian begins with a meditation on all that was lost culturally - including the career of Habib - in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. Plus Pegah joins for a Roundup on the news of the week, including a new Shervin song, a farcical World Economic Forum and an unplanned obsession with Shakira.

This episode is brought to you with the generous support of:

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A new edition of Roqe featuring interviews with two creative Iranians who have each become viral online sensations for their entertaining videos. First up, Iranian-American content creator and entrepreneur Pouya Hashemi joins Jian from California, to discuss how he went from a successful business developer to a popular funny video presence on instagram with clips that are now in the millions of views. Then comedian and actor Neema Nazeri returns to Roqe - this time from Melbourne, Australia - to chat about his latest move, opening for Russell Peters, and balancing comedy and mental health. Plus Jian and Raha make a big announcement about the first Roqe Live show to be taking place at a theatre soon!

A new episode of Roqe including a feature interview with musician and producer, Arash Sobhani of the group Kiosk, in the Roqe Studio, discussing his band’s brand new album that is reflection on the uprising in Iran over the last couple of years and what he sees as the disintegration of unity and the movement. Plus Jian starts the show with words about how we might remember the past year, and is joined by Pegah and Raha for a Roqe Roundtable to discuss new year’s resolutions, lessons learned to carry into 2024, and the 4th anniversary of PS752.

Part Four of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Storytelling, Classics and Conclusions” and features Loga Ramin Torkian (Los Angeles), Anoush Saboktakin (New York), Sanaz Sotoudeh (Dubai), and Arash Mitooie (Tehran).

Part Three of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Drugs, Access and Melancholy” and features Arash Sobhani (Stockholm), Siamak Shirazi (Portland), Maral Mohammadi (London), and Ehsan Sadigh (Toronto).

Part Two of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Sonics, Class, and Connection” and features Reza Moghaddas (Toronto), Amir Bahari (Tehran), and Sepp Osley (London).

Part One of a 4-part Roqe Original Series exploring the deep and surprising connection between Iranians and the legendary British rock band, Pink Floyd. This episode is entitled, “Fandom and Context” and features Ali Azimi (London), Dara Daraee (Tehran), Ramin Sadighi (Tehran) and Roya Arab (London).

A special new edition of Roqe focused on a feature-length interview with Iranian-born Armenian-American musician, producer and music arranger, Schubert Avakian. Schubert joins Jian from Los Angeles for a career-interview discussing his youth in Iran, his discovery at a Vigen gig in Germany as a teenager, and his evolution into one of the most sought-after composers and producers in Persian pop music today, working with everyone from Ebi, Googoosh, Shahram Shabpareh and Sepideh, to younger developing artists, newer acts like 25 Band and his hit-making mainstay band, Black Cats