MY FAVORITE VENUES
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant is your ticket to a whole new world. A luscious and exotic ambience beckons with plush cushions and low hanging lanterns. The menu teases with items such as bastilla, Lamb with Eggplant, Couscous TaFaya, and Chicken Honey and Prunes. With the Five Course Dinner priced at under $20, it is easy to give into temptation. Belly dance shows by many of the most fascinating dancers in Seattle are given Wednesday through Sunday nights. Reservations are highly recommended: (206) 956-0500. Marrakesh is located in downtown Seattle, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Battery Street. More information at www.marrakeshseattle.com.

Hasanis Hafla has sustained and flamed the fires of my bellydance obsession. She hosts a two hour workshop which is followed by four hours of bellydance performances. Everybody is welcome at this party, and all are invited to participate. Dancers call in several weeks in advance to get a spot on the program. As a result there is a delightful diversity of style, costuming, props, levels of experience, and music. I began performing at Hasanis haflas as a beginning baby bellydancer, and it has been the carrot that carried me through years of practice, excitement, frustration, and continues to challenge me to learn more. There are also vendors who can supply a dancer with everything she needs from veils to full costumes, swords to CDs. Donations of $10 are suggested. Come early to get a seat! More information at: www.hasani.net