Post by Najmes on Mar 25, 2004 11:10:04 GMT -5
Here is a beautiful article sent to me written by my former mentor Suhaila Salimpour. It sums up the joy of dance in a unique and personal way. Thank you Suhaila for sharing!
" Sheherezade at the Alex
My heart was racing as I walked down the hallway to the long staircase
that led me to the stage. I couldn’t believe this moment had come. I
had to hold myself back from even thinking of moments from the actual
performance for weeks as so I wouldn’t burst into tears. My whole life
has been dedicated to raising the level of this dance form with my own
personal vision, and this show “Sheherezade” is one of the most
progressive pieces of work I have been able to contribute to this art form.
When I first began the Suhaila Dance Company in 1996, my goal was to
create belly dances that would be performed by more that one dancer for
the nightclubs. I was doing this during my nightclub years in L.A. and
when I began the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance I knew that I would
be able to really dedicate time into more of a production for our
performances. I then began to realize that most of my audiences were not of
American heritage and therefore easy to please with my choreography and
musical interpretation. I wanted the American audiences, so I began to
do research and test market dances, shows, costumes, music. I realized
that an American could only handle so much “belly dance”.
After years of looking for music and not being able to find the right
combination of east meets West, my husband and I decided to begin to
produce music that we would use for the show that would combine my vision
both visually and musically. I did not want to use music that was
going to be heard any other place other than our show. I also began to
design costumes that would also match the vision since buying ready-made
Egyptian costumes didn’t fit the visual as well. So, my project just
kept getting bigger and bigger. I found myself writing the show,
choreographing, teaching and training my dancers. I was exhausted, but ready
for the community to see what I have been working on.
Finding the right co-producer for this show was very important. I
wanted to make sure that this show was going to get the appreciation and
understanding that it deserved. It wasn’t about anything other than the
love for this art form. I had been working with Miles Copeland on some
of his projects and I was very clear that the vision I had for this
project was going to be kept in my control. In my dance company and with
my vision I want dancers that are hard working and without ego. I
don’t care if they are young, skinny, or have big boobs. They have to be
able to work hard and have time and energy to keep up with my schedule.
One day while filming for the documentary “The American Belly Dancer”
that is going to be produced by Miles Copeland, a very good friend of
mine just happened to stop by the studio and sit in on the filming. Amor
is a very special person that is very sensitive and giving of her
insight and love. After being a fly on the wall, she came over to me and
whispered very softly in my ear “he isn’t the one. You need to be
produced by a woman. I see it clearly”. I just smiled because I could feel
her concern for me.
Later that year I was in L.A. for the Thanksgiving holiday and I was
walking with my family on Honolulu Street in Montrose. A new dance
studio “the Vibe” had opened up and we walked in just to look around. Oddly
enough there was a belly dance class going on and I peeked in the
window. I saw Leela teaching and she came out to give me a hug. What a
surprise this was. Leela has been taking classes with me when she comes
to Northern California for Rakkasah for 5 years now and has been a huge
support and positive energy. She was just beginning to produce in the
Southern California area and is supportive of all dancers and teachers.
Each time I saw her she would just make me feel warm and even though
she “does her own thing” in the dance world, I felt that her intentions
are great and her vision for herself and the dance were the same as
mine. Each year at Rakkasah she would make sure to see my show and always
comment that more needed to see what I am doing. So when we saw each
other I had this feeling that she was the one. She asked me when I
would be doing a show in L.A. and I quickly said, “why don’t you produce
it”. She looked at me and smiled and said, “I would love to”. Now this
isn’t usually how I do business, but I had a feeling about her. She
didn’t want to dance on the show and it wasn’t a vehicle for herself and
her students, she just wanted to produce and make sure I was able to
have what I needed to produce the show I wanted. She was amazing in
every way and my experience with this show was enhanced because of her love
and great skills as a producer. I can only say that I was lucky she
chose me to invest her time, energy, and money in.
As the weeks grew closer I was in a trance. We had been rehearsing
three nights a week with an additional night for clean up. Leela even
came up and watched a rehearsal so she could feel the vibe and get into
the show. The girls loved her as I did and the unity of the entire
production was one big power of positive energy. The girls were working
overtime to maintain their classes and training as well as develop the
show. Kelsy was at the studio every day giving private lessons to make
sure that the dances were clean and that we didn’t waist time in
rehearsals “teaching and cleaning”. Sabriye was at each meeting with the
stage manager as my voice for the technical aspect of the show. We even
had to story board the show using little stick figures, which was so
cute since Sabriye doesn’t know how to draw. Tiffany was/is my wife
making sure my laundry is done so I have something to wear to a rehearsal.
And each girl made sure to do their part so I didn’t have to “take
care” of them. All my extra time went to my daughter who was so patient
with me. Having a premier only three weeks after the holidays is crazy.
Something I will never do again, but Isabella was amazing. Between the
tree decorating, Christmas shopping, and all the school functions that
my daughter now has because of school, I didn’t have time for much
else. And of course my husband cheering for me all the way gives me the
strength to keep waking up in the morning and moving forward. Not only
was he supportive, but also he helped develop and produce this show.
Wow!
So the day was here. We were all on time, no worries. The schedule
was so tight that day that nothing could go wrong. The fire marshal was
set, the rigging crew was set, the dressing rooms were ready, the make
up artists were set, the cameras were set, I was going to throw up. I
had rented a rehearsal space to practice the night before so we weren’t
cold going into the Theater on Saturday. The girls were ready, I was
ready, and most defiantly, Isabella was ready. Before the show I felt
this pressure on my chest that I could explain to my husband. He told
me to just breath deeply and I then realized that I was nervous. I am
never nervous. I locked myself in my dressing room and just tried to
focus on the show. Andre kissed me good-bye and reminded me that this is
what I do best. When we had a 5-minute curtain call I went upstairs to
the stage for our circle time. We all held pinkies and I gave my
speech. We could hardly get through the circle time without all of us
crying because the hard work and love for each other was so clear that the
experience had made us all closer and we just couldn’t believe that the
moment that we had all been waiting for was minutes away. I thanked my
girls for believing and trusting in me, something I will always
remember. We had to break before our make up would begin to run. We got in
our places and tried to focus. The lights went out…. The music began…
We all took a deep breath… I watched the first few minutes of my vision
being brought to life from the side of the stage before it was time for
my entrance. I was amazed at this line up of women dancing. How
beautiful they all looked. So poised and dedicated. If only the audience
could see the months of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and loyalty.
I just hope that they will get my vision and simple approach to this
art form. As I walked out on stage I could only think that this was the
beginning of something huge. Someday I can only hope that this show
will live longer than me. I will be able to watch someone else play the
role of Sheherezade. That would mean I succeeded.
Our finale was surreal. I was looking around at my girls behind me
trying to capture the moment forever in my mind. They were all smiling
and full of joy. I could see how proud they were of themselves. When
the curtain closed we all went to tears. We held each other and just
wept. We received a standing ovation and the acceptance and
acknowledgement from the audience plus our inner knowledge of what we had just done
was too much. We didn’t care if our make up was running now and we let
it all hang out. We did it! Now we only have to get ready and do it
all over again July 31 in our hometown. "
" Sheherezade at the Alex
My heart was racing as I walked down the hallway to the long staircase
that led me to the stage. I couldn’t believe this moment had come. I
had to hold myself back from even thinking of moments from the actual
performance for weeks as so I wouldn’t burst into tears. My whole life
has been dedicated to raising the level of this dance form with my own
personal vision, and this show “Sheherezade” is one of the most
progressive pieces of work I have been able to contribute to this art form.
When I first began the Suhaila Dance Company in 1996, my goal was to
create belly dances that would be performed by more that one dancer for
the nightclubs. I was doing this during my nightclub years in L.A. and
when I began the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance I knew that I would
be able to really dedicate time into more of a production for our
performances. I then began to realize that most of my audiences were not of
American heritage and therefore easy to please with my choreography and
musical interpretation. I wanted the American audiences, so I began to
do research and test market dances, shows, costumes, music. I realized
that an American could only handle so much “belly dance”.
After years of looking for music and not being able to find the right
combination of east meets West, my husband and I decided to begin to
produce music that we would use for the show that would combine my vision
both visually and musically. I did not want to use music that was
going to be heard any other place other than our show. I also began to
design costumes that would also match the vision since buying ready-made
Egyptian costumes didn’t fit the visual as well. So, my project just
kept getting bigger and bigger. I found myself writing the show,
choreographing, teaching and training my dancers. I was exhausted, but ready
for the community to see what I have been working on.
Finding the right co-producer for this show was very important. I
wanted to make sure that this show was going to get the appreciation and
understanding that it deserved. It wasn’t about anything other than the
love for this art form. I had been working with Miles Copeland on some
of his projects and I was very clear that the vision I had for this
project was going to be kept in my control. In my dance company and with
my vision I want dancers that are hard working and without ego. I
don’t care if they are young, skinny, or have big boobs. They have to be
able to work hard and have time and energy to keep up with my schedule.
One day while filming for the documentary “The American Belly Dancer”
that is going to be produced by Miles Copeland, a very good friend of
mine just happened to stop by the studio and sit in on the filming. Amor
is a very special person that is very sensitive and giving of her
insight and love. After being a fly on the wall, she came over to me and
whispered very softly in my ear “he isn’t the one. You need to be
produced by a woman. I see it clearly”. I just smiled because I could feel
her concern for me.
Later that year I was in L.A. for the Thanksgiving holiday and I was
walking with my family on Honolulu Street in Montrose. A new dance
studio “the Vibe” had opened up and we walked in just to look around. Oddly
enough there was a belly dance class going on and I peeked in the
window. I saw Leela teaching and she came out to give me a hug. What a
surprise this was. Leela has been taking classes with me when she comes
to Northern California for Rakkasah for 5 years now and has been a huge
support and positive energy. She was just beginning to produce in the
Southern California area and is supportive of all dancers and teachers.
Each time I saw her she would just make me feel warm and even though
she “does her own thing” in the dance world, I felt that her intentions
are great and her vision for herself and the dance were the same as
mine. Each year at Rakkasah she would make sure to see my show and always
comment that more needed to see what I am doing. So when we saw each
other I had this feeling that she was the one. She asked me when I
would be doing a show in L.A. and I quickly said, “why don’t you produce
it”. She looked at me and smiled and said, “I would love to”. Now this
isn’t usually how I do business, but I had a feeling about her. She
didn’t want to dance on the show and it wasn’t a vehicle for herself and
her students, she just wanted to produce and make sure I was able to
have what I needed to produce the show I wanted. She was amazing in
every way and my experience with this show was enhanced because of her love
and great skills as a producer. I can only say that I was lucky she
chose me to invest her time, energy, and money in.
As the weeks grew closer I was in a trance. We had been rehearsing
three nights a week with an additional night for clean up. Leela even
came up and watched a rehearsal so she could feel the vibe and get into
the show. The girls loved her as I did and the unity of the entire
production was one big power of positive energy. The girls were working
overtime to maintain their classes and training as well as develop the
show. Kelsy was at the studio every day giving private lessons to make
sure that the dances were clean and that we didn’t waist time in
rehearsals “teaching and cleaning”. Sabriye was at each meeting with the
stage manager as my voice for the technical aspect of the show. We even
had to story board the show using little stick figures, which was so
cute since Sabriye doesn’t know how to draw. Tiffany was/is my wife
making sure my laundry is done so I have something to wear to a rehearsal.
And each girl made sure to do their part so I didn’t have to “take
care” of them. All my extra time went to my daughter who was so patient
with me. Having a premier only three weeks after the holidays is crazy.
Something I will never do again, but Isabella was amazing. Between the
tree decorating, Christmas shopping, and all the school functions that
my daughter now has because of school, I didn’t have time for much
else. And of course my husband cheering for me all the way gives me the
strength to keep waking up in the morning and moving forward. Not only
was he supportive, but also he helped develop and produce this show.
Wow!
So the day was here. We were all on time, no worries. The schedule
was so tight that day that nothing could go wrong. The fire marshal was
set, the rigging crew was set, the dressing rooms were ready, the make
up artists were set, the cameras were set, I was going to throw up. I
had rented a rehearsal space to practice the night before so we weren’t
cold going into the Theater on Saturday. The girls were ready, I was
ready, and most defiantly, Isabella was ready. Before the show I felt
this pressure on my chest that I could explain to my husband. He told
me to just breath deeply and I then realized that I was nervous. I am
never nervous. I locked myself in my dressing room and just tried to
focus on the show. Andre kissed me good-bye and reminded me that this is
what I do best. When we had a 5-minute curtain call I went upstairs to
the stage for our circle time. We all held pinkies and I gave my
speech. We could hardly get through the circle time without all of us
crying because the hard work and love for each other was so clear that the
experience had made us all closer and we just couldn’t believe that the
moment that we had all been waiting for was minutes away. I thanked my
girls for believing and trusting in me, something I will always
remember. We had to break before our make up would begin to run. We got in
our places and tried to focus. The lights went out…. The music began…
We all took a deep breath… I watched the first few minutes of my vision
being brought to life from the side of the stage before it was time for
my entrance. I was amazed at this line up of women dancing. How
beautiful they all looked. So poised and dedicated. If only the audience
could see the months of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and loyalty.
I just hope that they will get my vision and simple approach to this
art form. As I walked out on stage I could only think that this was the
beginning of something huge. Someday I can only hope that this show
will live longer than me. I will be able to watch someone else play the
role of Sheherezade. That would mean I succeeded.
Our finale was surreal. I was looking around at my girls behind me
trying to capture the moment forever in my mind. They were all smiling
and full of joy. I could see how proud they were of themselves. When
the curtain closed we all went to tears. We held each other and just
wept. We received a standing ovation and the acceptance and
acknowledgement from the audience plus our inner knowledge of what we had just done
was too much. We didn’t care if our make up was running now and we let
it all hang out. We did it! Now we only have to get ready and do it
all over again July 31 in our hometown. "
