Fine line
ADJI CISSOKO • Alonzo King LINES Ballet
WORK • Wednesday Routine
ADJI CISSOKO • dancer • Alonzo King LINES Ballet
Neighborhood you live in: Chinatown
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I enter the historic Odd Fellows Building and take the elevator to the third floor, where the LINES Ballet studio is located. I hear piano music floating from the studios as I make my way down the hall to the dancers’ lounge. In the locker room, my colleagues are stretching on the floor, rolling on foam rollers, or finishing breakfast over coffee. I join them for my daily foot exercises and some Pilates before we all gather at 11a for company class in Studio 5. It’s an open class, so we’re joined by other dancers — from teens to seniors — all lined up at the barres, trying to memorize combinations as the teacher demonstrates. After 90 minutes, we’re fully warmed up and ready for our five-hour rehearsal.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Our home season at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is underway (running through May 18), so today’s rehearsal starts with a full run-through of the program. It features a brand new work choreographed by Alonzo King, set to music by jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, followed by Scheherazade, with music by the legendary tabla player Zakir Hussain.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
After a long day of moving and dancing, all I can think about is dinner. Tonight, I’m meeting my best friend at one of our favorite spots, House of Nanking — it’s walking distance from my place and always delivers. From the fried rice prepared tableside to the sweet potato orange chicken and fragrant flower blossom tea, we always leave full and happy. Wednesday night is usually our “Wing Wednesday” at Teeth Bar in the Mission — if you love a fun patio vibe with drinks and 50-cent wings, this is the place to be.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Three of my favorite things to do in San Francisco are visiting the Ferry Building Farmers Market on Saturdays, walking along the piers through Fisherman’s Wharf to watch the sea lions, and dipping my toes (or sometimes plunging all the way in) at Aquatic Cove for a chilly (but healing) “ice bath.” On lazy Sundays, I love grabbing a slice at Golden Boy Pizza in North Beach and enjoying it in Washington Square Park while soaking up the sun. For live music, SFJAZZ and Freight & Salvage in Berkeley are both fantastic venues.
Any weekend getaways?
When I need a quick weekend escape, I take the ferry over to Sausalito or Angel Island. Both are great for hiking, biking, and picnicking. Sausalito is packed with art galleries, and I highly recommend the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Angel Island has a fascinating immigration station museum and old military forts to explore. For a longer trip, my favorite route is south on Highway 1 along the coast, where you can stop anywhere for breathtaking ocean views. I always return to the city feeling rejuvenated. I call it “healed by nature.”
What was your last great vacation?
My last great vacation was in Puerto Rico, where I combined work and play with a gala performance. I stayed at a wonderful beachfront Airbnb and spent the first few days relaxing by the water. Then I set off exploring, discovering the charm of Old San Juan with its historic sites and cobblestone streets. The Condado neighborhood, nearby, was perfect for shopping and nightlife. But the highlight of the trip was a hike through the lush Puerto Rican jungle in El Yunque National Forest — truly unforgettable!
Photo: Melika Dez.