Solano Stroll

October 12, 2009 by therealsuhaila
Filed under: Blog 

I’ve traveled all over the world, but what most people don’t know about me is that I’m a “home body”. I prefer small towns to big cities, and I love the neighborhood vibe that my community very much has. Born and raised in Berkeley, California, I have made my life here and am raising my daughter here. I can’t even walk down the street without seeing someone I went to school with. My best friend, who I’ve known since Kindergarten, still lives in this area, too. And if you are from my town, one of the highlights of the year is Solano Stroll, the big street faire on a main boulevard.

Solano Stroll is held soon after school begins in the fall, and local business owners, entertainers and many more come out to celebrate. Stages are built up and down the street with bands, dancers, magicians, and clowns that fill the day with the character and personality that make our city colorful. Of course, one of the highlights is our stage! When the belly dancers perform, we stop traffic and bring crowds of all ages.

My Repertoire Ensemble worked hard for weeks. The girls worked on preparing a large amount of choreographic material to create a two-hour show. Knowing that it takes months to prepare a choreography for the stage, a two-hour show is quite an undertaking. The dancers performed beautifully, and I was proud of their work, watching them present their progress. The performances were full of the spirit and sisterhood.

Not only was the day filled with seeing old friends and meeting new ones, but I was able to give back to my hometown and community one of the things I love and cherish the most: my art. We look forward to next year’s Solano Stroll, to new and old friends and to creating a new show from this community that has supported me.
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One Response to “Solano Stroll”

  1. Linda on October 16th, 2009 12:18 am

    I met my husband in front of the Persian rug store 12 years ago at the Solano Street Faire-so it’s one of my favorite venues. It is one of those twist of fate stories, will have to tell you sometime. And, I can’t believe I actually have a photo of the moment, I asked a friend who was with me to take a picture of me with him-a total stranger! Must of had a premonition