It looks like a March 2004 trip to Hayastan for about a week. It will be my first time back since February/March of 2002. I look forward to seeing old friends and maybe meeting some new ones. There is supposed to be some chess summit in Kharabagh with Boris Spassky attending and playing in a tournament. My friend Aram is fanatical about chess and I will probably be roped into "watching chess". Like paint drying... but, I supposed it's good for the region. Actually, I am sure the Azeri's are pissed about Spassky attending this tournament. I like that.

I've been listeing to Alla Levonyan a lot lately. Her latest CD is my first exposure to her music, although I've heard of her from a lot of friends. She's got a great voice and the arrangements are pretty good. Other CD's I've run into is Yo-Yo Ma's live recording "Abrigado Brazil: Live in Concert". I had a chance to grab a reviewer copy from Sony and have really enjoyed his crossover work with Brazilian and Latin American musicians. Unbelievable musician.

If anyone is interested in helping build the next generation Pomegranate Music website please let me know. Volunteers are VERY welcome. You will get a lifetime supply of Pomegranate Music CD's and free concert tickets for any of our artists anywhere in the world. I will even buy you/y'all a beer or two. Gotta love grassroots indie world music.

Tomorrow is Lilit's concert in NYC. Haven't decided if I am going to cut out of work and make the trek down for the show. She is leaving the States on the 21st back to Armenia. We will check out recording studios in Yerevan when I visit in March.

Kojian, what happened to my place in Lori! Are we going to get it or what :)