Fame
I had to take my daughter, Isabella, to see the new Fame movie on opening weekend. Not only was it something she was bugging me to see, but the movie holds great memories for me since I was extremely affected by the original that was released in the 80’s. I remember going to the theater with my mother to see the original and leaving wanting to dance 24 hours a day, sacrificing anything and everything to do so. It was only a few years after that night that I flew down to Los Angeles to audition as a back up dancer for the TV version of Fame and got it!
I spent a season being an “on-again / off-again” back up dancer, experiencing the hard work that went into being on a Television show. I woke up at 5 am, got to the MGM set by 7 am only to rehearse for hours and then have it all changed 15 minutes before filming. When given the little plastic bag of what we were to wear for that day we would all pile in the bath room with safety pins altering the obviously 70’s leotards. We rolled up the sides of the leotards and pinned them under to have a higher leg line. (We all had to look like the Solid Gold Dancers, ya know??) When it was time to shoot they would bring in Gene Anthony Ray (Leroy), if he made it to the set that day, and when Debbie Allen was directing it made the experience all the more of a learning experience.
After the movie came out, my mother took me to audition at the High School for the Performing Arts. I was accepted, but didn’t want to leave home. I finished my high school years in Northern California – where I called home and still do. Now that Isabella is almost in high school, I find it fantastic that we finally have a High School for the Arts in Oakland and I wondered if after seeing the new Fame she too would want to audition too.
The new Fame is fun and full of energy. It is rated PG-13 (the 80’s version was rated R) and full of seat grinding music and hot dance scenes. The cast was a perfect fit and they made subtle changes to the story line that was fitting for today. My mother and I sat in the back and Isabella and her two friends sat closer to the screen. My 83 year old mother and I sat and shared popcorn and bounced along to the music. After each dance scene my mother would yell “that was hot” and we would giggle at the irony of us have escorting the “little Salimpour” to this movie, just like over two decades ago. Funny how my life seems to parallel my mothers. Does everyone feel that way?
After the movie was over and the lights came up I stood up and looked for my daughters glance. Her smile was ear to ear and I said “that was mom up there in the 80’s ya know”. She laughed and said “I know… I kept thinking that”. We laughed and I embarrassed her by recreating some of the 80’s dance moves I had to do on the T.V. show. My mom just yelled “watch your knee Suhaila” and I was quickly reminded that I was not 18 anymore. Then she grabbed my arm and said “mom… I’m so going to that school”!! My mom and I looked at each other and smirked.
That next weekend we snuggled in my bed and watched the old 80’s Fame together. We commented on the changes and similarities. I pointed out people I worked with on the set of the TV show and she enjoyed the Rocky Horror picture show scene. That was really fun to explain. Then “Sometimes I wonder” (by Irene) came on, (which was also re-done in the new Fame), and I sang along. Isabella was shocked I knew all the words and I told her that when she was little I use to sing it to her while breast feeding and rocking her to sleep. She snuggled a little closer and rested her head on my heart.
Ya Halla
When Isis and Dell first called me about honoring my mother at the 2009 Ya Halla Ya’all Festival in Dallas, Texas I was thrilled. They have been such a positive and supportive force in the belly dance world for many years, not only with the work they do in their community and studio, but with their magazine, The Chronicles, and with the biggest festival in Texas, Ya Halla. I was one of their instructors the first year they produced this event. Since then, I have been an instructor many times and feel honored every time asked to participate. The event is very well produced and both Isis and Dell are easy and warm to deal with. This year was special since they wanted to give my mother the life time achievement award they honor during each festival. They were very gracious and together we wanted to make it special. We were to show the 12 minute documentary of my mother and Bal Anat from 1972 and then I was to give an acceptance speech. I would teach a workshop, but not perform in the evening show making sure to focus on accepting the award. We all felt good about this since the night should be about my mother and her accomplishments. Before the documentary I felt it important to give a speech, not just to thank Isis and Dell for the award, but to also give a glimpse to what my mother went through as both an artist and a woman in the 60’s and 70’s. It wasn’t just about making up names to steps that revolutionized this dance form and was to become the foundation of the 90’s creation of ATS. It was about the struggle and fight each day to raise a little girl alone in an abusive home. It was about a women that would end up a widow only to have the dance as a bond between her and her daughter. After my brief, tear-filled speech the lights went out. The audience was packed and with a huge screen on the side of the stage (just like a rock concert), my mothers’ documentary was viewed. I could see the understanding of the woman behind the name being revealed as each audience member was impacted by her presence. We have all heard the name Jamila Salimpour, but who is this woman? When the documentary was over Isis brought me back up on stage to hand me the award. I held it high over my head and the audience cheered and stood on their feet. I laughed and cried all at the same time. That night I was not Suhaila Salimpour, I was Jamila Salimpour’s daughter and I was filled with pride.
