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Her 4-year-old twin daughters, Arabella and Mirabella, cannot take their eyes off their mother as she performs on stage of Kobzov Circus on Nov. 14 in Kyiv.
After the show, singer-actress Kamaliya Zahoor, the wife of Kyiv Post publisher Mohammad Zahoor, is surrounded by fans. She gladly takes photos and gives autographs, while hugging and kissing her own children during the pauses.
It’s these two girls, Arabella and Mirabella, who have strengthened her desire to help other children in Ukraine.
“I have been through a lot while waiting for my children, and now I want to help other children to feel better,” says Kamaliya. “Children love me and this feeling is very mutual.”
To offer support, in 2014 she established St. Nicholas Charity Night, run by the Kamaliya Foundation.
The event is held in the first part of December for different beneficiaries each time: to raise money for children with Down Syndrome, children of killed Ukrainian soldiers and to buy medical equipment and winter clothing for orphans.
This year, the event is scheduled for Dec. 6 at the Hilton Kyiv, the night after the 6th Kyiv Post Tiger Conference in the same place.
The theme of the charity ball will be Oscar-winning songs. Organizers hope to raise up to $50,000 for a beneficiary yet to be named.
The decision to help underprivileged children was Kamaliya’s idea, yet the inspiration in choosing this year’s theme came from her husband, Mohammad Zahoor. “We have been choosing between Oscar-winning songs and Disney songs,” recalls Zahoor.
Oscar-winning songs won the competition, with tracks by Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Sam Smith and Berlin with their initial hit “Take my Breath Away.”
Kamaliya will perform 10 songs and will change her stage costume three times to create different moods for the event.
To support young talent, she also invited six children to perform on stage.
“Some of these children are fresh-off from television shows, others performed on festivals, some children simply study in music schools. They all have different backgrounds,” Kamaliya says. “We let the children record songs in my studio and to perform on stage.”
She carefully listens to how and what children sing, supports them and coaches them on how to improve the singing.
The dress code of St. Nicholas Charity Night is black tie. Guests will be treated to a three-course dinner prepared by a celebrity chef.
There will also be surprises, such as a charity auction in which people can bid on antiques, designer clothes and oil paintings. One lottery includes a chance to win a trip to any part of the world.
Kamaliya puts high hopes on the upcoming event.
She wants talented children to make it to the big stage and wants to raise money for them.
Kamaliya’s playlist for her Dec. 6 charity concert
- “Skyfall,” originally performed by Adele, soundtrack to “Skyfall,” 2012.
- “My Heart Will Go On,” originally performed by Celine Dion, soundtrack to “Titanic,” 1997.
- “Writings On The Wall,” originally performed by Sam Smith, soundtrack to “Spectre,” 2015.
- “Let It Go,” originally performed by Idina Menzel, soundtrack to “Frozen,” 2013.
- “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” feat, Sergey Shtefan, originally performed by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, soundtrack to “Dirty Dancing,” 1987.
- “Flashdance… What A Feeling,” originally performed by Irene Cara, soundtrack to “Flashdance,”1983.
- “Take My Breath Away,” originally performed by Berlin, soundtrack to “Top Gun,” 1986.
- “When You Believe” feat, Katia Morozova, originally performed by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey, soundtrack to “The Prince of Egypt,” 1998.
- “Fame,” originally performed by Irene Cara, soundtrack to “Fame,” 1980.
- “Colors Of The Wind,” originally performed by Vanessa Williams, soundtrack to “Pocahontas,”1995.
Others will perform:
- “Beauty And The Beast,” originally performed by Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson, soundtrack to “Beauty And The Beast,” 1991.
- “I Just Called To Say I Love You,” originally performed by Stevie Wonder, soundtrack to “The Woman in Red,” 1984.
- “Over The Rainbow,” originally performed by Judy Garland, soundtrack to “The Wizard of Oz,”1939.
- “You Light Up My Life,” originally performed by Kasey Cisyk, soundtrack to “You Light Up My Life,” 1977.
- “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” originally performed by Elton John, soundtrack to “The Lion King,” 1994.
- “Best That You Can Do,” originally performed by Elton John, soundtrack to “Arthur,” 1981.
- “The Windmills of Your Mind,” originally performed by Noel Harrison, soundtrack to “The Thomas Crown Affair,” 1968.
