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| Khalima Sikorsky in her stunning, lit-up costume for Raqs Luminaire |
Every so often, I like to write about the
backstage rituals of dancers I admire, so that these wonderful performers can
inspire others. It’s enlightening to find out about the way they prepare for
shows, create their onstage persona, improvise through problems, and keep stage
fright at bay.
Plus, it’s always
thrilling to see a dancer who’s a multi-disciplinary artist. I’m talking about
those unique performers that have the talent, technique, and imagination to
truly bring their creative vision to life on stage.
Khalima Sikorski from Richmond, Virginia, is one
of these dancers. She’s all of this and more; she’s a flame-haired bundle of
energy and powerhouse of a woman.
Khalima is the director
of Illumination Dance Studio, and shimmies her way proficiently through many
styles including traditional belly dance, Tribal Fusion, and burlesque; sings
and dances with musician Barry Bless as the duo “Professor Bless And The
Dancing Madwoman. But that’s not all! She is also a costume maker, writer, a fine
actress and comedienne, a terrific singer, a magician’s assistant, circus
performer and a single mom! She teaches classes, directs a student troupe and is
a show producer.
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| Raqs Luminaire 2013 poster |
Since 2010, Khalima has
been producing the preternaturally gorgeous stage spectacular Raqs Luminaire: Dance Of Lights. These
are themed shows, often based on myths and legends, featuring well-known performers
from all over the country, live music and
beautiful sets and elaborate costumes- which all light up! In 2013, I had the honor of playing the lead role in
the Raqs Luminaire production of "The Return Of Pandora’ Box" co-starring with Khalima and the illustrious Madame Onca O’Leary. Typical for Khalima's attention to detail, there was even a Tarot deck of cards made, each featuring a performer.
Actually, I first met Khalima backstage at Onca’s
Americana, Sideshow and Burlesque Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, where
we got along like gangbusters. But it
wasn’t until I worked with Khalima in 2012, and then again for Raqs Luminaire
in 2013 that I understood the scope and dedication to craft that she has.
Here, in her own words, is Khalima sharing her
backstage rituals:
“Show prep! If I am at
home for shows, I like to try to be leisurely about getting ready -sometimes
impossible as a mama and crazy lady-, which means having everything for my gig,
packed by that morning.
I sit on the floor in
my room in my underwear to get my face on, and almost always listen to my
favorite Balkan a capella singing
ladies, Black Sea Hotel. Something about the floor and not rushing is really
nice... and I can stretch my ever-tight legs at the same time! Lots of water
and a bunch of food (any food, all the food) are necessary. I simply cannot
perform to my liking on an empty stomach!
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| Khalima by Pixie |
So much depends on the
show I am getting ready for, but, I am often backstage with a big old pile of
lovely ladies who are comfortable with themselves, and excited about whatever
show it is we're about to put on. This changes everything! I swear we are like
a bunch of kids together, and this is when it gets ridiculous. Whether it's a
belly dance or burlesque show, I somehow manage to become ritualistically taken
over by my alter ego, "Sadie", who can do nothing but talk about
BEAVAAAH all night long! We all devolve into a very crazy flock of
giggle-boxes, and I think it helps us all relax and live in the moment!
Which leads me to my
thoughts on stage fright, performing, and being ready. I think a person must
always be "ready"... not necessarily in the sense of being
"on", or in a stage persona, but really and truly being ready to take
whatever is about to happen. It sounds really cliché, but when you decide to
live in the moment, and are prepared to fly by the seat of your pants,
"mistakes" rarely happen.
Stage fright is the energy of fear around failure, but
when you commit to a daily practice of fearlessness and being your
honest-to-god real self at all times, any of the worst-nightmare situations
that can happen on stage lose their power.
Seriously.
I think people want to
see something real, even amidst fantasy! I believe a performer owning their
space, their flubs, and their emotions, all of them, will move an audience more.
This is the real magic, and no wayward veil, slip up, costume malfunction,
forgotten choreography, or bats raining down from the ceiling (yes, I've
experienced all of those!) can keep you from being a brilliant performer.
I've also been known to
say, about my calm amidst show chaos, "the train has left the
station!" Every moment leading up to the day of a show has been the
practice for the real deal. Whatever has not been lashed firmly enough to the
train will fly off, and good riddance, for the time being, if it was not
substantial enough to hold fast! Also: Beavaaaah! “
#
Khalima is teaching and
performing at these events:
Los Angeles, CA July 6, 2014
Teaching at Dance Garden & Performing at
Moun Of Tunis
For Siren Sundays, sponsored by DeVilla, info:
Washington, DC, July
26,2014
Fort Worth, TX
Jan 8-11, 2015
Check
Khalima’s Facebook Page for more events!
https://www.facebook.com/khalimadance?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
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| Khalima as a Sci-Fi post modern mermaid |
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