Suhaila Unveiled Article, December 1, 2006

December 1, 2006

Rakkasah

1. Greetings
2. Editorial by Suhaila
3. Workshops
4. Workshop Testimonials
5. Booking
6. Article: Rakkasah
7. A Good Instructor
8. NEW! Just Arrived...!
9. Sale
10. Zoe and Me
11. Classes
12. Special Events
13. Contact
14. Unsubscribe

NEW! Just Arrived...!

Now On DVD!!

Jamila Salimpour Archive Series, originally released in 1980...now available on DVD!! Learn the Salimpour Technique from a Salimpour.....

Buy Now

Suhaila's Instructional and Performance videos now available in DVD. Eight new releases in the DVD Collection of previously enjoyed titles......

Instructional Buy Now

Performance Buy Now

NEW!!! REMIX CD......

The anticipated title now available! Rich sound with infused beats and Arabic music overlay. Great for classes, dancing or just pure listening pleasure.

Available Now!

Buy Now

NEW!!! Tranquil CD......

Soft, sensual and moody. Get one of the three new cd titles recently added to the Suhaila Salimpour Music Collection...

Available Now!

Buy Now

NEW!!! REPERCUSSION CD......

Hot new release from Suhaila Productions. Designed with a variety of drum solos from 1 1/2 to 10 minutes in length. High powered and dynamic.

Available Now!

Buy Now

Logo Wear!!!

New Suhaila logo wear...including the sought after "Got Technique" tanks, in white & black.

Buy Now

Suhaila Design Pants...
New Colors!!!

The "Harem Girl" style Suhaila Design Pants available in black, plum or navy blue. Side slit, flare legged jazz pant with ankle drawstrings to give the option of a belled or pantaloon look.

Available now!
Buy Now

The favorite Suhaila Design Pant now available in colors ......!! Get the versatile drawstring pant in black, plum and olive.

Available Now!

Buy Now

Suhaila's Hippeze!!!

The first of Suhaila Designs Hippeze. Enjoy new styles of the versatile, layerable hip wear.....

Available now!

Buy Now

Margaret Cho's Hip Wear!!!

One of a kind hip belts made by the hands of Margaret Cho. Don't miss out! Each design the one and only....!
Supplies Limited!
Buy Now

Sale!

HolidaySpecial!!!

All sets an additional 10% off

*except for Fitness

Fusion Set

Performance Set

Enjoy three great performance videos for a price that can't be beat. Now available on DVD!!!

As low as $58.46 for the whole set.

Buy Now

Jamila Salimpour Set

Pioneer Jamila Salimpour's complete format taught by Suhaila Salimpour. Complete with videos, books, and cymbals.

Buy Now

Baby Hoodie...

Limited Offer

Stock up for winter with the Suhaila Baby Hoodie. Available now at a discounted price.

Buy Now!!

All Suhaila VHS on sale for....$9.95!

While supplies last......

Suhaila Salimpour Instructional and Performance videos sale continues.......All titles only $9.95!*

Instructional Buy Now

Performance Buy Now

*Except for "Bal Anat in the Beginning"

Give the gift of choice! Gift Certificates available from $25-$100.

Buy Now

Zoe and Me

-by Isabella Antoinette

Salimpour Khoury

When I go to Rakkasah I see Zoe. Zoe is the granddaughter of Shukriya. I like to play with Zoe and I like to have sleep overs with her. But me and Zoe also take my mom’s workshops. It happens every year. Since now I am level 1 certified I have to help her with all the workshop but since I’m in the Nutcracker then I can’t really help her while I’m gone. But I’m also looking forward to getting level 2 certified so I can help her more.

Zoe and I get stuff for free at Rakkasah too. I don’t know why, but the vendors just give us stuff even though we are not famous. If I really want something my mom will buy it for me too. We like to get on stage and dance during the open dance times as well as doing our own shows. We also sell candy at Rakkasah and we make money for the poor animals.

Zoe is a vegetarian so she can’t eat meat. So once she said to me I won’t eat anything that pooped and has eyeballs. That was the funniest thing in my life. I felt so weird that I wouldn’t eat any meat at Rakkasah. Except for the hot dogs, they were good.

Rakkasah is fun.

Suhaila Solo NOW AVAILABLE on DVD!!!

Enjoy an evening of a live solo performance by Suhaila......
Available now!
Buy Now

Sheherezade

DVD..... now available

Experience the show that is revolutionizing the art of belly dance. Suhaila Salimpour's Sheherezade......
Availablenow!
Buy Now

Bellydance Fitness Fusion is here!

Suhaila's newest fitness series, Bellydance Fitness Fusion. In this four DVD set Suhaila fuses Bellydance with Yoga, Pilates, Jazz, and also presents her signature Buns workout! Available individually, or buy the whole set and save!

Order Yours here!

Classes

The Suhaila Salimpour
School of Dance
10082 San Pablo Ave.
El Cerrito, CA
(510) 527-2400

Suhaila Salimpour Format Belly Dance, Jamila Salimpour Format Belly Dance, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Adults, teens and kids!

Classes offered Monday through Saturday

For complete class listing, visit our website for our new schedule
or call (510) 527-2400

The Salimpour Technique
taught by Rashid

Located at Studio Gracia
19 Heron (off of 8th St.)

San Francisco, CA
Between Folsom and Harrison St.
(415) 307-4782

Level 1/2 combination classes are offered on Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm
$12.00 Drop-In (class cards available)

For complete information, contact Rashid at:

raksrashid@aol.com

(415) 621-0669 (415) 596-0990

Events

Workshop with Tiffany Bisconer

Layering Taqseem Combinations

Winter Moon Festival

February 3, 2007

Richmond, CA

Workshop/Performance

by Tiffany Bisconer

Authorized Instructor from the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance

Time: 10:50 a.m.

Location: Temple Beth Hillel

801 Park Central

Richmond, CA

Contact: 510-724-0214

Fax: 510-724-4367

Email: rakkasah@att.net www.rakkasah.com

Belly Dance Nights
at Montero's Café
A night of performance with dancers from the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance

Join us for our annual Holiday Party.

Dec. 10th, 6:00 pm

Montero's Cafe
*Please Note: first sunday canceled due to Holiday Party.

First Sunday of every month
6:00 pm
1106 Solano Ave., Albany, CA
(510) 524-1270

Not a member?
If you received this newsletter from a friend, and you would like to sign up to receive it every month, visit www.suhaila.com

by Tiffany Bisconer

At every Rakkasah I feel like I’m celebrating my belly dance anniversary. Since I began dancing with Suhaila, Rakkasah has been a pinnacle event each year. My first Rakkasah, I walked in having a good idea of what to expect because Suhaila prepared us so well, but I was still completely blown away. Not only was it my first time in front of such a large audience (in hot pants J), but the event was massive….entirely overwhelming! I couldn’t believe how many people traveled from all continents to be together for this week of workshops, performances and gathering belly-dancing accoutrements. The sense of grandness, desire for community and the sharing of each individual’s perspective and offering to the art was seen on all sorts of canvases. I also knew that I was seeing the evolution of a concept that began with Jamila, which made me respect the event and the efforts behind it from Shukriya even more, feeling that through the belly dance family tree we were all related. Suhaila made a point to instill in us proper respect and understanding of what Rakkasah represented, who Shukriya was, how she was related to her and her mother. She also reminded us that it was important to be aware of our responses, opinions and actions because not only did they reflect upon her, but her desire to support and represent her community in a positive way was a goal we were a part of. This awareness made us feel responsible for the members of the community as we would a family member.

As soon as we walk off the stage from the Suhaila Dance Company performance on Sunday night, the last night of Rakkasah, Suhaila says “Now…what am I going to do next year?” The brewing and planning for the next year’s performance at Rakkasah begins that night. Not only does Suhaila ritually debut new choreography at Rakkasah (in order to share her new visions with her own community first), but it is also a motivating event within the year to set goals for new products and to complete projects to present to the belly dance community. Rehearsals to learn new choreography start at least 5-6 months prior and the crunch time cleaning up choreography and putting on the final touches goes on the month before the opening day of Rakkasah. Every year, by adding a moment into each Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat performance, Suhaila makes sure to remind her community of her lineage, which is essentially the foundation in which the structure of belly dance lays. Last year during the Bal Anat performance, Suhaila, Jamila and Isabella danced together. Besides not having a dry eye in the audience those on stage weren’t handling themselves much better…. Their dance together was so moving because it was a dance of life at each stage, combining three generations and the accomplishments and beauty at each phase. As they completed their dance, Jamila left the stage first, then Suhaila and Isabella was left to stand in the middle of the Bal Anat semi-circle as the song ended to represent the next generation and the evolution of the past. Her presence embodied a sense of hope for what’s to come and the outcome and accomplishments of what was.

I find similarities in the motivation behind Shukriya beginning Rakkasah and Suhaila in beginning a School of Dance. They both wanted to create a platform for belly dancers of all ages and abilities to grow by offering a safe environment for artists to share their creativity with a community of women (and some men too). Being a part of the Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat each year I am able to see myself grow every year through Suhaila’s artistic presentations. Now going on my eighth year of attending, vending and performing, Rakkasah has become a staple part of my year and also holds many memories in my continual first steps as a dancer. From buying my first solo costume, to performing solo for the first time at East Coast Rakkasah to performing choreography/feats for the first time at West Coast Rakkasah. This year is another first… I was honored to be given the chance (due to Suhaila’s encouragement) to teach at Rakkasah’s Winter Moon Festival this coming February. I am grateful and excited to have this experience. Every year I feel myself flourish as a dancer and I feel lucky to be given the opportunity for the platform to share ability and artistry with the community. As each festival passes I look forward to what’s to come at Rakkasah in the years to come.

I admire, support and believe in Suhaila’s loyalty to Shukriya and the belly dance community because she lives by giving back to her roots and to the women who struggle to make such beauty out of this dance through hard work, dedication and admiration of the art form. For me Rakkasah has been a mark of beginnings, growth, and inspiration.

Upcoming Workshops

Workshops

SOLD OUT!!!

January 22-26, El Cerrito, CA

Multi Leveled Weeklong Workshop

*optional Level I and II Certification

Testing Jan. 26

Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC

(510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com

February 26- March 2, El Cerrito, CA

Level III Weeklong Workshop

Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC

(510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com

www.suhaila.com

2007 Workshops:

January 21, El Cerrito, CA

Master Class

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Technique

Time: 11am-2:00pm

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance
Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

SOLD OUT!!!

January 22-26 , El Cerrito, CA
Weeklong Workshop
Content: Suhaila Salimpour Technique
*Optional Level I and II Certification Testing Jan. 26

Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance
Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

January 28, Aptos, CA

Master Class

*Taught by Kendra Katz (Authorized Instructor from the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance)

Content: Belly Dance Hip Hop Fusion

Time: 12:30-2:30pm

Location: Synergy Studios, 8035 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA 95003

Price: $40 Non-Members/$36 Members of the SSSD

Sponsor: Crystal Silmi

Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 7770, Santa Cruz, CA 95061

www.crystalsilmi.com

February 3, Richmond, CA

Winter Moon Festival

Workshop/Performance/Festival

*Taught by Tiffany Bisconer (Authorized Instructor from the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance)

Content: Layering Taqseem Combinations

Time: 10:50 a.m.

Contact: 510-724-0214

Fax: 510-724-4367

Email: rakkasah@att.net www.rakkasah.com

February 3-4, Charlotte, NC

2-Day Workshop

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Format, Folkloric Fusion, Choreography

Time: Saturday, February 3 - 9:30am-3:30pm

Sunday, February 4 - 10:00am-4:00pm

Location: Levine Senior Center, 1050 DeVore Lane, Matthews, NC 28105

Sponsor: Yasmine 704-525-3606

www.magic-hips.com yasmine@magic-hips.com

February 17-18, Austin, TX

2-Day Workshop

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Format

Time: TBALocation: Diva Dance Studio, 111940 Manchaca Rd., Austin, TX 78748

Sponsor: Stacey Wuest (512)-924-7257 stacey@staceylizette.net

February 25, El Cerrito, CA

Master ClassContent: Suhaila Salimpour Technique

Time: 11am-2:00pm

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance
Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707Register Online

February 26- March 2, El Cerrito, CA

Level III, Weeklong Workshop

Content: Level III of the Suhaila Salimpour Format

Time: 9:30am-5:30pm (1 hour break)

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of DanceContact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

March 11, El Cerrito, CAMaster Class

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Technique

Time: 11am-2:00pm

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance
Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA94707

March 16-18, 2007, Richmond, CA
Rakkasah West
Workshop/Performance/Festival
Suhaila Workshops: March 10th & 15th

Contact: Phone: 510-724-0214
Fax: 510-724-4367
Email: rakkasah@att.net www.rakkasah.com

March 24-25, Charlottesville, VA

2-Day Workshop

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Format

Time: TBA

Location: ACAC Downtown, 200 East Water St., Charlottesville, VA 22902

Contact: Alexandra Snyder leila@bellysouk.com 434-249-4611

More Info: www.bellysouk.com

March 31st- April 1, St. Louis, MO

2-Day Workshop/Bal Anat Performance
Content: TBA
Performance: TBA
Contact: Lois Marshall salwaabd@aol.com (314) 961-3790,
(314) 956-9725

April 28, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Master Class

Workshop Location: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NE 8th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

Contact: Maja "Spirit of the Tribes" majanile@aol.com

More Info

May 2-6, 2007, Somerset, NJ
Spring Caravan
Workshop/Performance/Festival
Contact: Phone: 510-724-0214
Fax: 510-724-4367
Email: rakkasah@att.net www.rakkasah.com

June 14-17, 2007, Paris, France
Workshop/Performance/Festival
Contact: Amana amana@club.fr

June 21-24, 2007, Milan, Italy **TENTATIVE**
Workshop/Performance
Contact: Olivia olivia@rosedeldeserto.it

June 27-July 3, 2007, Cairo, Egypt
Ahlan Wa Sahlan in Egypt
Workshop/Performance/Festival
Contact: Raqia Hassan 2027482338, 20123292386, raqiahassan@hotmail.com

July 21-22, Somerville, NJ
2-Day Workshop
Times: Saturday, 2:00pm - 8:00pm (with a 1 hour break)
Sunday, 11:00am - 5:00pm (with a 1 hour break
Location: Indigo Ballroom, 17 Division St, Somerville, NJ
Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707
Register Online

August 6-10, El Cerrito, CA
Multi Leveled, Weeklong Workshop
Content: Suhaila Salimpour Technique
*Optional Level I and II Certification Testing Aug. 10
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance
Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344, suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com
Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

August 20-24, El Cerrito, CA

Level III, Weeklong Workshop

Content: Level III of the Suhaila Salimpour Format

**Must be Level II Certified to Register

Time: 9:30am-5:30pm (1 hour break)

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance

Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344,

suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com

Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

September 7-9, El Cerrito, CA

Level I, 3-Day Workshop

Content: Level I of the Suhaila Salimpour Format

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance

Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510 526-4344,

suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com

Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

October 22-26, El Cerrito, CA

Level II, Weeklong Workshop

Content: Level II of the Suhaila Salimpour Format

Time: 9:30am-5:30pm (1 hour break)

Location: Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance

Contact: Suhaila Productions, LLC (510) 526-4344,

suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com

Send Checks/MO to: PO Box 8612, Landscape Station, Berkeley, CA 94707

November 3-4, Vancouver, Canada

2-Day Workshop

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Format

Time: Saturday 9:30am - 2:30pm

*Including 1hr Catered Lunch

Sunday 9:30am - 2:30pm

*Including 1hr Catered Lunch

Performance: Saturday, November 4th

Performance/Workshop Location: The Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St., Vancouver

Sponsor: Martina 604-241-4371 martina@bellyfringe.ca

November 15-18, Toronto, Canada

4-Day Workshop

Content: TBA

Time: TBA

Performance: TBA

Location: TBA

Sponsor: Audra Simmons (800) 431-0418

audra@cleopatrasbazaar.com

Workshop Testimonials

Congratulations on becoming certified!!!

Level 1

Danielle Davies

Stephanie Frye

Marissa Harris

Molly Kampschroeder

Wendy Williams

Attending this Workshop has been an inspiring life changing experience. Suhaila is a warm-hearted woman whose passion is the dance, and has become my inspiration. Through this experience, she has helped me internalize every moment, and has taken me to a new level of the dance. She and her staff are down to earth, and you can tell they all love their work. I can’t wait to take another workshop to further my dance knowledge and have a great time and meet new friends, who all share the same love.

-Roselee Kislowski

Bristow, VA