Suhaila Unveiled - the Newsletter
March 1, 2007
Suhaila Unveiled

1. Greetings
2. Editorial by Suhaila
3. Workshops
4. Workshop Testimonials
5. Booking
6. Rashid's Old School Corner
7. NEW! Just Arrived...!
8. Sale
9. Highlighted Products
10. Classes
11. Special Events
12. Contact
13. Unsubscribe

NEW! Just Arrived...!

Finger Cymbals with

Jamila CD

Now Available!

The anticipated, remastered version of Jamila Salimpour's popular finger cymbal CD available today! Now with seperated tracks and new design. A must have instructional tool for any dancer, teacher or musician!

Available Now!

Buy Now

 

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

 

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

Navy Blue Harem now 20% off!!!

Vary your style with the versatile jazz pant's belled or pantaloon look!!!

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

Highlighted Products

Sheherezade!!!

DVD now available

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

 

Suhaila Solo NOW AVAILABLE on DVD!!!

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

 

Suhaila Design Drawstring Pants!!!

The favorite Suhaila Design Pant available in two classic colors.....!! Get the drawstring pant in black and olive.

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       

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


Sign up to dance!
Call (510) 527-2400,
email suhaila@suhaila.com
or speak to an instructor

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

Welcome to Suhaila Unveiled, the official e-newsletter for Suhaila Salimpour, the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance, and Suhaila Productions, LLC.

Greetings!

The workshop session is in full swing and what better way to start the year but with a workshop in North Carolina with Jasmine and the Magic Hips Dancers. Jasmine and all her dancers did a wonderful job of hosting and performing this weekend. The ulterior motive was to bring the certification program next year. The room was full of great energy and I thank all the hard-working women for keeping up with me, and the drills. The workshop in Texas was also amazing. It was Stacey's first workshop as a sponsor and I want to thank you. The room rocked and the sweat was intense. Isabella had a blast and we will be back next year for certification too. We did it!

As for the level 3 weeklong, I want to start by saying how proud I am of all of you. You are in the elite group of students and dancers that are dedicated to my program and your dance training. You made it through a week of very difficult and demanding dance as well as the emotional demands of all the other work that goes into level 3. I applaud you for your commitment and dedication to your art. Together we will move to the next level of art and my format.
The studio is buzzing with excitement for Rakkasah. The Bal Anat show is full of change and I am so proud of both Tiffany and Kendra for the debut of their first ensemble choreographies that I have decided to include them in both performances at Rakkasah and St. Louis. Everyone is working so hard and it is showing in the dances.

The new schedule at the studio is working out great as well. Longer classes, more time in-between the classes and adding dance movement in all the belly dance classes was perfect. Having level 3 be 90 minutes was just what that level needed. If it wasn't for Tanja (one of the Algerian dancers in Bal Anat) bugging me for months about longer level 3 classes, it might not have happened, so thank you Tanja.

I am also very proud to say that this last month Suhaila Productions booked both Tiffany and Kendra to teach workshops on their own. Tiffany's workshop was at the Winter Moon Festival with "Layering Taqseem", and Kendra taught a "Belly Lock" workshop in Santa Cruz for Crystal. You both did a fantastic job and to say that I am very proud of you just wouldn't be enough. Thank you Shukriya and Crystal for producing the workshops and giving us and them this opportunity.

As Spring approaches I look forward to warmer weather. The Persian culture begins the New Year on the first day of spring, as that is the month of re-birth in life. This year has only begun and already it is full of life and re-birth.

Editorial by Suhaila®

 It was the last day of the Faire and I remember feeling the cool air on my face.  I would sleep in the back seat of my mother’s old VW bug as she drove early in the morning with the window slightly open.  As I laid with my eyes closed I could feel the soft wind hinting at the reminder that fall was approaching, I could hear the sounds of coins on occasion from my mother’s costume.  If I needed an extra feeling of security I would only have to open my eyes a sliver. My mother was driving while dressed in full assuit.  It was soothing to know that we were both out of the house and on the way to the Renaissance Faire.  

The Renaissance Faire ran for eight weeks and late into October.  It was only at the end of the Faire did I know that the climate would change and the feeling of needing that extra sweater would become more apparent.  It was the end of one creative force and the beginning of another of nature’s mysteries.  The last day of the Faire was always bitter sweet.  We always began the Faire knowing this day will come, but when it arrived, the sadness of having to return to reality until the next year always seemed so lonely.  I always felt at home at the Faire because my real home was at times unbearable.  The costumes, the smells, the theater, the people, and mostly how happy my mother was enough to last me until the next year.  When I think back on my childhood and the daily life I led, I mostly remember the weekends at the Faire and the images and memories that were positive and helped build my spirit. 

 

Read complete editorial...

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

Register Online

2007 Workshops:

March 11, El Cerrito, CA Master Class - SOLD OUT!!!

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

Register Online

March 16-18, 2007, Richmond, CA
Rakkasah West

Workshop/Performance/Festival
Suhaila Workshops: March 10th & 15th

Location: Richmond Memorial Auditorium

              27th St., Richmond, CA

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

March 24-25, Charlottesville, VA - SOLD OUT!!!

2-Day Workshop

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Format

Time: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-4:30pm

Location: ACAC Downtown, 111 Monticello Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Contact: Alexandra Snyder bellysouk@gmail.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 Festival
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 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
Location: Ukrainian Cultural Center

              135 Davison Ave., Somerset, NJ

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

May 26-27, 2007, San Diego, CA
Workshop/Performance

Content: Saturday, Jamila Salimpour Format and Folkloric Fusion

Sunday, Suhaila Salimpour Format and Choreography

Time: TBA

Contact: Meleah meleahandco@cox.net

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
Workshop/Performance

Content: Suhaila Salimpour Technique, Jamila Salimpour Technique, Choreography
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 6-8, 2007, South Korea
Workshop/Performance

Contact: Lee Dong Min angel78477847@yahoo.co.kr

July 13-18, 2007, Taipei, Taiwan
Workshop/Performance

Contact: Kerim Alyot kerimalyot@yahoo.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

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

Register Online

September 7-9, Las Vegas, NV

Content: TBA

Location: TBA

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

suhaila@suhaila.com www.suhaila.com

September 14-16, El Cerrito, CA

Level I, 3-Day

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

Register Online

October 12-14, 2007 Somerset, NJ

Rakkasah East

Workshop/Performance/Festival

Location: Ukrainian Cultural Center

              135 Davison St., Somerset, NJ

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 Tiffany 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:TBA

Performance/Workshop Location: TBA

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
Emily Alrick
Rachelle Erin Bertumen
Barbara Chadsey
Alice Cowens
Tracy Dewey
Shari L. Feather
Silvia Foster
Camille Manansala-Garnett
Marcela Gomez Gonzalez
Coral Hanson
Karen Hersh
Jane Yee Shan Chung How
Adriana Jansen
Olivia Mancino
Bridey Patterson
Lynda Rosner
Christina Thompson
Level 2
Alexandra Doppelt
Jenifer Stewart-Grimes
Kim Nicol
Toni Rapini

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   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

Read More Testimonials...

Bring Suhaila to your event!
Suhaila and the Suhaila Dance Company travel all over the country and the world performing and teaching workshops. For availability and booking information, contact Suhaila Productions, LLC at
(510) 526-4344 or email suhaila@suhaila.com

Rashid's Old School Corner                  

 

To…The City…Babylon by the Bay

by Rashid

 

    Still to this day, one of my favorite experiences is coming over the Bay Bridge into San Francisco from Oakland.  Going through the Yerba Buena tunnel, coming out the west side of the bridge, the view of the city and the two bridges, were an inspiration of humanity and being alive.  I hope I carry that feeling on to my next life as it can only do me good.  We would drive to San Francisco at night to go to clubs but the feeling of noon sun on the bridge will always be associated with Jamila and the Broadway studio.

We drove my ’58 VW bug to the city that first Saturday class in the summer of 1974.  At the time the Embarcadero freeway wrapped around north toward the Marina and North Beach.  It was such a rollercoaster loop into Oz.  One of the first exits was Broadway.  You stopped at the bottom of the hill near Sansome St. and went straight up the hill.  At the top of the hill was the Mystic Eye occult shop where we would eventually purchased much of our mystical supplies, incense and oils. As the road leveled off, there was Broadway and all of its post Jazz Era decadence.  Carol Doda’s, Al Capone’s, the Garden of Eden, Fincchio’s and Enrico’s Cafe were prominent features on the Broadway skyline. We had to navigate around the one ways and up and over the hills, but finally we parked somewhere and headed toward the strip.  The address was in that first block up the hill and was easy to find.  Later, over time we would reminisce about the days of class there as we heard the sounds of many cymbals from the street. Decka dum decka dum deka deka deka dum reverberated down the block in both directions from the studio.  If we heard that on the street, we  knew class was starting and we’d run so we wouldn’t be late.

The address itself was the red door between the Casbah Cabaret and the Woofer (strip club).  It was easily missed in the dark of night but in the daylight you could read the number over the door.  The stairs lead to the second floor which opened into one large dance space with a quazi-office, dressing room and toilet in the back.  The floors were refinished hardwood.  I know from experience now it was the original Victorian flooring of the building, kind of artistic in its own right.  The walls were white and covered with blown up photos of Jamila, the company and favorite images Jamila had enlarged to represent the dance in its element.  The sound system was set on a crude table unit by the one window facing out onto Broadway.  It was a large professional reel to reel tape machine.  On one long wall of the studio were two mirrors approximately 24x36” in total size.  We learned to check ourselves in the mirrors, as we went around the circle during class.

Meeting Jamila was like going to a temple and shaking hands with the oracle herself.  She has always had a bigger than life persona and being face to face was amazing after seeing her and the company perform for several years.  Having never seen anything but her face and tons of assuit,  the iconic image of her on stage finally became a person.  Being in class was so up front and personal. I felt my path of learning was deeply engrained in this experience.  She was ready to turn 48 as I was grasping for 18 and Suhaila had six months until she was 8 years of age. 

Everyone dressed for class in those days and Jamila set the standard.  She had hair to her waist with bangs and usually wore a black outfit she’d designed from Indian and romantic images.  She had body jewelry and a matching coin girdle made of Tunisian coins from the year of her birth, which she wore famously.  It was another of her designs.   Later outfits included a hot pink tunic and skirt over pantaloons.  With tons of Mazoonas everywhere! 

Aida must have been teaching some Saturday beginner classes or something because I remember paying Jamila myself when I arrived for intermediate class at later dates.  However the pace in those days was slower and I also remember Jamila doing the registry before she would start her beginner class.  In those early days also, Suhaila would be “sentinel” on the books as mommy taught class.  People had to be basically honest and would sign in officially with a little girl in the “throne” as we called the chair.  Suhaila’s job would be to first supervise the books and then to count bodies as class began.  If numbers didn’t add up she’d run to the center of the circle and inform her mother who would remind folks to sign in “before” class.

It was a funny combination; the exotic feel of the studio in the seedy neighborhood of Broadway and how comfortable I felt.  The experience was such an exotic sense of coming home.  I think I could explain that in several ways but in terms of dance everything I’d only witnessed and tried to copy was being explained and broken down for me.  I had some dance training in jazz, ballet, mostly tap.  I was able to follow almost everything and back-peddle to clear up my understanding for some things.  I’d picked up a lot from watching; Jamila’s Gush Spin, Pivot Spin, Maya, Running Choo Choo, Figure 8 Backwalk.   Even better now was Jamila’s organization and categorizing of movement. Now I could see a train of thought in movement with a vocabulary of language.  It was like getting help from the manufacturer of your favorite jigsaw puzzle, putting pieces in place.  I picked up finger cymbals quickly.  I think because of the tap dancing I studied.   The organization of dancing with them wasn’t too difficult for me.  Jamila also included them in every class as fundamental to both the dance and music.  They were a part of the physical musicality from the very beginning. 

Saturdays and later the week nights were to become rituals not to be missed.  Over time Jamila taught on Saturdays with Aida during the week nights Monday through Thursday.

I blew the clutch out on Kearny Street just below Broadway that very first day of class.  Too many people in a small car on a hill…  Thank heavens we made it home in one piece.  For a while after that, we would drive if we had a vehicle but many times we’d get a ride to Vallejo from Benicia in order to catch a greyhound bus into San Francisco.  Someone would have to pick us up upon return as well.  Later the Bay Area Rapid Transit was available from Diablo Valley and we’d drive to the Concord Station and take a BART train to the city. 

It was always humbling to return to the suburbs after our exotic urban experience.  We brought the “Dance of Love’s” secrets back to the neighborhood and practiced them privately.  It was still culturally extreme and still a little provoking to dance like this.  The fact, that we were analyzing pelvic movement and undulating was bordering on scandalous.  I know in one house we lived, our neighbors must have thought we were gypsies because of the music and figure cymbals, the exotic people coming in and out and the henna baking parties we had on the old front of the house, as we covered our hair, hands and feet.

Those first few classes were a rapid introduction to my burgeoning passion for this dance.  I had come home to a long lost familiarity with direct instruction in both dance and the bi-cultural experience.  First it was Saturdays and later, Tuesdays and Thursdays for class with Aida.  The pieces were in place for me to begin walking (dancing) down my path in this life.

Suhaila Productions · P.O. Box 8612 · Landscape Station · Berkeley · CA · 94707
510.526.4344
suhaila@suhaila.com
www.suhaila.com

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