![]() Kalifa's Big Comeback by Kalifa I was standing at the edge of the bar listening to the musicians warm up. Pulling my veil tighter around my torso, I checked to make sure it was tucked securely inside my coin scarf on my right hip. I felt butterflies in my stomach – my throat was dry – and my fingers already damp where I lightly held the ends of my skirt. All the old familiar feelings a performer experiences just before going on stage. The oud player
spoke into the microphone. “Our first dancer…Kalifa.”
The adrenaline shot through me in a rush, a montage of the many clubs
and restaurants flashed through my mind, that I had worked in over the
years. I was dancing at the El Morocco Restaurant in Pleasant Hill, as a guest dancer. Fadil, who once owned the Casbah on Broadway in San Francisco, was the owner of this club and had agreed that several dancers who had taken Bert Balladine and Amaya’s workshops that afternoon would dance this night in his club. In fact, Amaya would dance just after me, with Bert doing a “cameo” performance with her. Bert had arranged with Leea, of Walnut Creek, who organized the workshops, for me to open the show. Actually Bert did me a great favor so I didn’t have to follow Amaya’s performance. Now all I had to do was make sure I didn’t expend too much energy early-on and run out of steam. I hadn’t danced in a Middle Eastern club with live music for twenty years so this was an exciting challenge. As I performed
a series of transitional steps I looked to the left where Bert was sitting
surrounded by his friends and other dancers. He was smiling and I knew
he was enjoying seeing his ex-student, an “old time” belly
dancer from the seventies, dancing again in front of an audience.
But being one of the “old school” dancers, I moved to the mood of the music, letting my body decide what step to do next. The taxim gave me a chance to rest and catch my breath. Then, just as I had completed my veil work the musicians increased the tempo and began playing the finale. I did some hip shimmies and more twirls realizing suddenly that I was becoming quite winded. Torn between not wanting to leave the stage and fearing I would run out of energy, I wisely signaled to the musicians and they immediately went into a drum roll which ended my performance. I took my bow to the audience and the musicians and hurried back to the dressing room, sweat dripping from my brow and running in rivulets down my belly. I felt wonderful – exhilarated – on a natural high.
I passed Fadil by the bar and he gave me a quizzical look. Did he possibly remember me from 30 years ago when I danced in his club? Not likely! Not after the thousands of dancers that had passed through his place over the years. I squeezed into
the tiny dressing room just as Amaya was leaving for her performance. “Thanks,” she said, over her shoulder. I sat down on the
only chair, wiping the sweat from my face. I had pulled it of - and
done a good job. Not bad for an old gal in her sixties! So much for
Kalifa’s big comeback. Have
a comment? Send us a letter! Ready
for more? 2-1-04 Youth,
Beauty and Branding,
The Virgin Megastore Grand Reopening, part 2
photos by Lynette 1-17-04
Virgin Megastore Reopening featuring Jillina
& the Sahlala Dancers & Issam Houshan, photos and layout
by Susie 1-25-04
One Ad Changed My Life by Amina Goodyear
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