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Perla Batalla

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Perla Batalla is known for her distinctive voice, emotional honesty & culture-merging compositions.  She was born in L.A. to a Mexican mariachi/D.J. father and an Argentine mother, who ran the family record shop.

After singing and recording with many groups, including Leonard Cohen, Perla launched a solo career. Since then she has recorded 7 albums, been featured in film and TV, staged 2 one-woman shows. 

Batalla’s Frida Kahlo musical, Blue House (commissioned by LACMA) was featured at the Ojai Playwrights Festival. Her tribute to Leonard Cohen premiered at the San Diego Repertory Theater and continues to play to sold-out audiences. Discoteca Batalla, Perla’s homage to her parents’ Venice record shop was presented by UCLA’s Center for Art and Performance in 2020. 

Batalla won two U.N. awards: the Earth Charter Award and the Environmental Peacebuilding Award. Perla also won New Mexico’s Premio Fronterizo Award.

Dimitris "Jimmy" Mahlis

Oudist, guitarist and composer, Dimitris "Jimmy" Mahlis is well respected in musical circles as an eclectic interpreter and master of a myriad of musical traditions. Having a thorough knowledge of both eastern and western musical disciplines, Dimi has developed a unique playing style on several instruments that is both earthy and intricate. As a composer, his pieces set a standard in cross-cultural pollination. Dimitris has performed and toured throughout the world with numerous artists including Freddie Hubbard, Airto Moreira, Kevyn Lettau, Russell Ferrante and Mamak Khadem. Mahlis' original compositions and virtuosic solo oud performances are featured prominently throughout the Oscar winning film, Argo.