Through all the band member changes, musical digressions and plenty of “What do we do nows,” the key to Salaam’s longevity is now revealed: Zen.  “It’s the Salaam objective to flow through whatever happens,” said a calm, yet caffeinated, Dena El Saffar.

And plenty had happened.  In May 1996, Billboard article named Salaam as one of the top Bloomington bands.  Elektra records came calling.  And then when the hubbub was over, they never called back.

The band, as Ron Kadish explained over a stack of pancakes, took that flash of attention as “validation from the record industry,” but an ironic thing happened.  Salaam realized it didn’t need the record industry’s nod to excel at music.  In fact, the record business would probably impede the progress.  “For me it made me realize we had to make it on our own,” Kadish said, “with no help from outside sources.”

So it was an internal decision to tweak the band’s sound, to downplay the distracting musical elements and to concentrate on the strong suit, Middle Eastern music.  With three new tracks in the can at Farm Fresh Studios, Salaam is ready to put its new focus to disc and to take it to the stage.

“We’re calling ourselves a music and dance ensemble,” Kadish said, referring to their newest member belly-dancer Katya Faris.  “The fusion stuff is out the window.”

“She’s a perfect match,” said El Saffar of Faris.  “She’s a focal point since we don’t have a lead singer. And she’s really expressive.”

Additional lineup changes – the departure of Amy Cyr last summer and the arrival of Japonize Elephant Sylvian Carton – have transformed Salaam into an innovative, yet focused sextet.

A longtime staple of the club and private party circuit, Salaam is now taking its music to schools.  The band is in the midst of auditions for Young Audiences, an arts education program funded by the NEA and the state.  Groups who secure a Young Audiences slot are then called on by schools looking for interesting musical programming.  “We’re pretty optimistic about it,” Kadish said.  “We’d be the only Middle Eastern group.”

“Kids are fun because they’re so responsive.  But their attention spans are short,” said El Saffar, who with bandmate Tim Moore have a son, Jamil.  “We teach them an Arabic phrase and drum rhythms.  We get the kids up there with finger cymbals.”

In its performances, Salaam educates its about this very ancient music – and very modern problems, including Iraq.  “We teach that the people of Iraq aren’t the enemy.”

“It’s great to hear someone say, ‘I’ve never heard anything like that before.’ We’re turning people onto a culture that’s been villanized,” Moore added.  “We want to send a little empathy into the world.”

Salaam will perform two shows this weekend: Friday at Second Story eith Order of Mystic Fire and Gyrogenics Quintet (with Rhythm Quests’ Chris Austin as a new, permanent member).  Music starts at 10 p.m. Cover is $4. Saturday’s show is at the Liquid Lounge from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.  Caravan Serai performs the early show from 8 to 9.  Admission is free.