BAGDAD NIGHTS
Carnival of Stars Belly Dance Queen
1982
This is Sultana. Here she is dancing at Rakassah in Piedmont. This was Rakassah's first home. Sultana came up from San Diego to dance at the Bagdad and soon became the darling and favorite dancer at the Bagdad. I don't know if all the dancers liked that as everyone wanted to be the favorite dancer. She was certainly pretty and quite a beautiful dancer. She had lots of different skirts and used to have fun layering them and arranging them to always give her costumes a new look. When she danced, she magically floated across the stage. Notice the two musicians behind her - Vince Delgado and Susu Pampanin. They also played at the Bagdad.
For sure all the customers fell in love with her.
Below are some images of what the Bagdad looked like.
Deborah and Idris - 2 Aswan Dancers
Issa and Amina
I still see Issa every year at the Arab Church Festivals
St. Nicholas and St. Thomas More
Reda Darwish
Please feel free to refresh my memory on some of the names. Thanks
Marsha and Craig
Please feel free to refresh my memory on some of the names. Thanks
Nakish , Yousry, ? and is that Hani
?, Jad Elias and ?
Reda Darwish
Rebhi and Marsha/Shamira
Rebhi was a customer who became our debke teacher.
Some of the Aswans who studied with Rebhi
Saleema, Erena, Ernest, Michael, Tim and Bobby
All of the above photos by Linda Grondahl. I have many more from her and hope to add periodically. When I can get around to scanning photos from the 60's and 70's I will put up them up. Anyone from Bagdad times welcomed to send me photos and memories. Thanks.
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