Suhaila Unveiled Editorial, January1, 2007

January 1, 2007

Suhaila Unveiled Editorial

1. Greetings
2. Editorial by Suhaila
3. Workshops
4. Workshop Testimonials
5. Booking
6. Me and Peter Max Magazine
7. NEW! Just Arrived...!

8. Sale
9. Highlighted Products
10. Classes
11. Special Events
12. Contact
13. 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!

The Exquisite Suhaila Solo Performance DVD on Sale!!!

Suhaila's unique style and technique comes alive as she executes both choreographed and improvised dances.

Buy Now for only $19.95!!!

The Sought after Arabian Musicals Vol.III, now on Sale!!!

Enjoy some of the tracks from Suhaila Solo.....Now you can listen to songs that lingered in your mind from the live performance whenever you want!

Buy Now for $10.95

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

Sheherezade

DVD..... now available

Experience the show that is revolutionizing the art of belly dance. Suhaila Salimpour's Sheherezade......
Available now!
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

First Sunday of every month
6:00 pm

$7.00
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

If you weren’t 10 minutes early, you were late. Dress code in place, hair back and properly placed. Gum, jewelry, tattoos (fake or otherwise), and nail polish were strictly prohibited. You could only miss 2 rehearsals ,a written notice was required and had to be authorized and excused by the instructor . Friends or family members were not allowed to watch or distract the student. If the instructor felt that the student was not ready for the performance, they could be asked to leave at anytime. (even if they were trying their best). It was explained and expected to be understood that this was not a recital, but a professional performance in which the students were allowed to dance along side the professional company. Even though the students were still the students and the company was the company, everyone was expected to act, perform, and respond professionally. Students were expected to keep up their dance classes (and maybe even take more), plus pay dues for being allowed to be part of this performance and all the extra administrative work it took. Even if you were an 8 year old mouse.

The audition process was not easy. Many combinations and techniques were asked from the students, and each had to wear a number on their leotard. The panel was behind a table and a variety of judges were watching to see who could not only execute the movements, but who could follow orders quickly and respectfully. The director, instructors, choreographers, and wardrobe all watched with full attention as each line of dancers came in to the room. Isabella was focused and had a goal in mind that was not going to be distracted. I knew Isabella was used to discipline, being my daughter and having taken the level 1 certification (and passing I might add) prepared her, but this was different since it was not personal and the room was filled with very talented young girls.

In the belly dance world having a kids class is unique. It took me one year to build my kids class because I wanted to incorporate into my art form an age that other dance forms started training their students. A generation of kids starting their glute squeezes at age 7 would be amazing to watch when they turned into 16 year olds that could do vibrations and layer anything on top. So, if I compare vibrations with going on point in ballet, I feel that the belly dance community might be able to understand the demands of my format and also the way I do a vibration. Isabella has always been “special” in all her dance forms, especially in belly dance and that is so great for her development, but I wanted her to see what it is also like in the real dance world as well as receive the invaluable training that ballet can offer.

Isabella began her ballet career two years ago. It has taken that long for students to be allowed to audition and it was with great excitement that she auditioned this year for the Nutcracker. As a mother, the thought of her not making it just was not an option. I had dreams of having to beat up the director if they didn’t place her in the ballet, but as I woke up I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t have to go that far and Isabella’s ability would be fine. When we arrived to Isabella’s next scheduled dance class three days after the audition, there were signs posted of who made the audition and what part they would play. The dancers were never asked and each part was given based on the desire of the director. Rehearsals were set and no one really communicated with me much, just signs on the bulletin board. The rest we had to figure out for ourselves.

I will never forget the third rehearsal when Isabella came out of the studio and said “mom, they fired one girl”. I didn’t understand what she meant so she continued to explain that the director was not happy with the speed at which this kid was learning so he asked her to leave the production. My heart sank, I have spent 11 years of directing my dance company with non dancers and had to teach them every step ,the process was never easy or quick for either of us, so I could never imagine asking someone to leave for that reason. I would just always double up on their practice. But in the “real dance world” it doesn’t work like that, even for an 8 year old. The time is precious and the performances are professional and as they would always remind us “this isn’t the recital where anything goes”. The recital was in June, this was the Nutcracker.

After all the choreography was learned, the costumes appointed, and the dress rehearsals set, we were to meet at the theater. Having Isabella perform in a theater is such a joy for us both. The expectations of both the dancers and the production are grand. The sets were beautiful, the costumes elegant, and the music was classical and full of history and roots. All the elements were that of my childhood when my mother made it a ritual to take me to the Nutcracker each season to watch the San Francisco ballet create a new Nutcracker each year. I bought the music for Isabella when she was a baby and when Isabella was 3 years old I took her to her first Nutcracker, and now we were back stage preparing to be a part of this legacy. The lights went out and it was “show time”.

When rehearsal was over I asked Isabella how she felt. “It felt like I was back stage during your show mommy, the Sheherezade show”. I wanted to cry at the thought that I was able to bring a belly dance memory as close to the professionalism that was demanded of the ballet on a regular basis. She then told me that it was dark like in Sheherezade, and she could barely see until she went out on stage. Her mask was hard to see in and she kept stepping on her tail. One girl freaked out and missed her cue and couldn’t go out on stage, and one girl just started to cry back stage and wouldn’t go out, and another girl fell from tripping on her tail and then got up and ran off stage. We laughed and laughed and I held her so tight and told her how proud I was of her. I’m sure the director was freaking out and that was kind of funny too. We left the theater and talked more about the contrast between the belly dance world and the ballet world.

Isabella’s first performance was on a Friday night. She was so excited and worried her bun would come down. With all the hair-pins and hair spray I assured her that nothing was going anywhere. She still had to touch it 50 times before arriving 1 hour before the show. All dancers were on time and the vibe backstage was intense. All the kids were to warm up and be dressed on time and back stage on their mark during the proper music call. There were parents that volunteer for back stage help and everything ran smoothly. When I heard the music that was for the mice my heart stopped. This was it, this was her first Nutcracker performance. For me it was huge but I’m sure for Isabella it felt like just another gig. Even though they all had masks on I knew who she was the second her legs hit the stage. There was no mistaking Isabella’s healthy thighs. When the performance was over we were allowed to leave since the children were young and bed time was already passed. Isabella wanted to go into the audience and watch the second half. At the end of the show I asked “which was your favorite dance that you want to do when you grow up” and she answered without missing a beat “the Arabian Coffee Dance mommy…. I liked the costume the best”. That’s my girl!

Upcoming Workshops

Workshops

March 30-April 1, 2007 St. Louis, MO
3 Day Workshop/Bal Anat Performance

Content: Jamila Salimpour Format, Folkloric Fusion, Choreography, Salimpour Fusion, Taqseem Layering and Hip Hop Belly Dance.

Contact: Lois Marshall salwaabd@aol.com

314-961-3790 or 314-956-9725

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

2007 Workshops:

SOLD OUT!!!

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

SOLD OUT!!!

February 25, 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 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, 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, 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 30-April 1, 2007 St. Louis, MO
3 Day Workshop/Bal Anat Performance

Suhaila Salimpour Tribal Fest
Content: Jamila Salimpour Format, Folkloric Fusion, Choreography, Salimpour Fusion, Taqseem Layering and Hip Hop Belly Dance.

Times: Friday, March 30, 2007:

10:00am-12:00pm "Taqseem Layering" taught by Tiffany Bisconer (Authorized Instructor of the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance)

1:00pm-3:00pm "Hip Hop Belly Dance taught by Kendra Katz

(Authorized Instructor of the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance)

3:30pm-5:30pm "Salimpour Fusion" taught by Rashid

Times: Saturday, March 31, 2007:

TBA "Jamila Salimpour Format" taught by Suhaila

Times: Sunday, April 1, 2007:
TBA "Folkloric Fusion and Choreography " taught by Suhaila

Contact: Lois Marshall salwaabd@aol.com

314-961-3790 or 314-956-9725

April 6-8. 2007, Tokyo, Japan

3-Day Workshop/Performance

Contact: Maha alcamarani@fancy.ocn.ne.jp

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

May 25-27, Toronto, Canada

3-Day Workshop/CEC Workshop

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

Contact: Audra Simmons (800) 431-0418

audra@cleopatrasbazaar.com

June 7-10, Trois Rivieres, Canada

Encore Festival of Dance

Workshop/Performance

Contact: Claire Mayers (877) 533-2673

c.mayer@festival-encore.com, www.festival-encore.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 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

September 28-30, Bagnor Regis, England

Workshop/Performance/Festival

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Technique

Contact: Josephine Wise 11442075020934

jo.wise@jwaad.com, www.jwad.com

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

October 12-14, 2007 Somerset, NJ

Rakkasah East

Workshop/Performance/Festival

Contact: Phone: 510-724-0214

Fax: 510-724-4367

Email: rakkasah@att.net

www.rakkasah.com

October 26-28, Charleston, SC

Master Class

Workshop/Performance

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

Contact: Eastern Winds Oasis, Mary Johnson

info@easternwindsoasis.com www.easternwindsoasis.com

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