WATERTOWN, MA–On Friday April 16, in commemoration of the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Granian will play a benefit concert in New York City at CB’s 313 Gallery, 313 Bowery (at Bleecker Street), beginning at 10pm. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region to support continued efforts to raise awareness and gain recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
“We are delighted to be working with a talented band such as Granian to continue our pursuit to educate individuals on the Armenian Genocide,” stated Dikran Kaligian, chairperson of the ANCA Eastern Region. “The April 16 show is one more vehicle to help raise awareness of crimes against humanity and all the work being done to properly commemorate past genocides and to prevent future atrocities.”
Garen Gueyikian formed Granian in 1996, and since then has released three albums, allowing him to develop a considerable fan base and buzz within the music industry. Garen’s distinctive voice, guitar playing, and original songs have won him high honors, including Best Unsigned Band by SPIN magazine and a spot in RollingStone.com’s Top Ten Editor’s picks.
In 2002, Granian released its third album “Live Sessions”–a live solo album showcasing singer/songwriter Garen Gueyikian. Both with his band and as a solo artist, Garen tours extensively throughout the country, with regular stops in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Garen is currently in the studio recording Granian’s 4th album, which will be released this Fall. A preview EP of 5 songs from the album will be shared with fans in May and will be available on the Granian website at www.granian.com.
Earlier this month, alternative-metal band System of a Down announced plans for a special benefit concert–Souls, 2004–on April 24, at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Souls, 2004 is the band’s most recent attempt to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and other human rights abuses around the world.
The Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government, was the very first planned genocide of the 20th Century and resulted in the death of 1.5 million and deportation of 600,000 Armenians. The tragic event paved the way for a cycle of genocides in the 20th century including the Holocaust and the genocides in Cambodia, and Rwanda.
The Turkish Government, to this day, continues its shameful campaign of Genocide denial, exerting political pressure and expending millions of dollars on lobbying efforts to thwart Genocide recognition efforts worldwide.
The concert is 18 plus with valid identification. Tickets for the April 16 show are $7 and can be purchased in advance at CB’s 313 Gallery. For more information, visit www.granian.com/tour/.
The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
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