Santa Monica College is pleased to host the "Iranian Heritage Project" - a celebration of Iran's rich culture featuring a lecture, discussion, poetry,music and food - from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12.

Singer Mamak Khadem will perform Persian music at the Iranian Heritage Celebration event at Santa Monica College.

Mamak Khadem has performed worldwide. The program includes music, poetry, a lecture and more.

The free event will be held at the Edye Second Spaceat SMC's Performing Arts Center on Santa Monica Boulevard at 11thStreet. Parking is also free.

Iranian food and refreshments will also be served.

On the bill will be music by acclaimed classical Persian singer Mamak Khademand a lecture-discussion, "The Iranian American Identity: Iraniannessin the Context of Americanization," byprofessor Parvin Abyaneh from Cal Poly Pomona's Ethnic and Women's Studies Department.

Khadem, best known as the singer for the cross-cultural Persian fusion ensemble Axiom of Choice, has recorded several albums and performed throughout the world. She also teaches voice, conducts workshops worldwide, and teaches math part-time at SMC. She has also recorded several film, television and theater soundtracks.

Abyaneh has a doctorate in sociology from the University of California atRiverside and teaches gender, ethnic and global issues from a variety of perspectives.

The event is sponsored by the SMC Fund for Global Citizenship and a generous donation from Anousheh and Ali Razi.

RSVPs are requested to be made by March 5 to Tina Feiger at feger_tina@smc.edu.

For more information, call SMC math professor Mitra Moassessi at (310) 434-4057.