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Sahara Cafe'
10771 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246
(904) 338-9049
DirectionsSEE ABOVE FOR DAYS AND TIMESTo double check (recommended) to see if I am dancing (if I'm not, nobody else will be):Like so many unexpectly good restaurants, hiding in a (relatively new) strip mall on the north side of Beach Blvd. Not huge, but a fair sized establishment, not a hole in the wall by any means. Traditional Middle Eastern menu, hookahs, beer and wine. Seating at tables on main floor, raised areas along one wall with cushioned benches, tables & chairs surrounded by low wood wall, large spacious bar also has seating. Floor area with tables is tight, but there is an open space by bar and wide aisle along raised areas where much of the dancing takes place and is very visible from bar and raised tables. Excellent sound system inside.
Very large outside patio is completely covered and walled in, plenty of room for large parties; dancer usually performs at least part of a set outside.
Atmosphere: Casual, fun, and relaxed but not sloppy. As viewed from the back end: good natured, well managed staff, both in kitchen and up front... which generally means that the upper management/owner knows what they are doing! Frequented by college students but also families, couples, all ages. Also a core of Arabic regulars who know a good thing. Dabke known to break out later in evening on busy nights and everyone is happily welcomed to participate.
I honestly haven't eaten much there -- but the hummus and shawarma I had recently was A++ fresh, seasoned just right. Yum!
Sahara is a truly friendly place to enjoy a meal and/or hookah, and of course see a great belly dancer.
- Contact me directly (don't be shy!),
, (352)373-4991
- Call the restaurant, but this is pretty iffy. Even the owner may not know until last minute. You also may be told (with great assurance) information that is incorrect :)
- Get on Facebook.com and "friend" me and/or join the SAHARA CAFE JAX group; I send out weekly performance updates there.
- Current Facebook members: search for me as "Karolyne Also Karolinka" or by facebook(at)bellydancewithk(dot)com. Or, log on and (hopefully) this link is my profile. Friend request me, and with the request (PLEASE!) include a short note saying how you know about me, and specifically (if applicable) that you are interested in Sahara performances (or any performances, or whatever).
- If you aren't a Facebook.com member: it's really a pretty cool "community" (totally free). It is well respected and VERY privacy intensive, you easily control who can see what about you, and you only provide minimal info to Facebook itself, which they carefully protect and do not share or sell. If you don't like it, it's very easy to completely delete your account. Just go to www.facebook.com. You can set up a very minimal "profile", then find me and send me a "friend request" (see above).
BTW, if you have had experience on MySpace.com, Facebook is MUCH better and much nicer. I'm on MySpace as well... but I don't spend time there; my profile on MySpace basically says go to Facebook :)
Casbah Cafe'
3628 St. John's Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32205-9065 (Riverside/Avondale Area)
904-981-9966
Belly Dancing Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, on the hour between 7 pm and 11 pm.After 10 years, Karolinka is taking a break from the Casbah; my partner Kalilah (a beautiful dancer and former student of mine since 2001; she's graduated from being a "student" to professional partner) continues to perform there. You can contact her for her performance dates, sassycrafter(at)gmail(dot)com. Kalilah is also on Facebook as "Kalilah Raqs."
Palm Garden Hookah Lounge & Restaurant
6271 St Augustine Road, Unit 29
Jacksonville, FL 32217-2555
(866) 384-1219
www.palmgardenrestaurant.netAUGUST '08: NO MORE BELLY DANCING AT PALM GARDEN. Owner has decided to discontinue the Saturday "Parties" (with Arabic singer, band, professional belly dancer - these are when I danced). Apparently for good. Fridays not recommended.
Homemade on the spot Middle Eatern cuisine, hookahs, full bar.Saturdays: Absolutely worthwhile if it is a "Party" night! On these evenings there is an Arabic singer and accompaniest as well as a belly dancer. This is probably the only place in town you can see a real show like this on a semi-regular basis. Three sets of belly dancing between 10:30 pm and 1:30 am.
These events occur at varying dates, sometimes several a month, sometimes none. Call the restaurant to find out when the next is scheduled, and who the dancer is (if I'm going to be performing it will be on the schedule above).
There is no belly dancing on Saturdays if it isn't a "Party" night.
Fridays: There is a specific belly dancer on Fridays who (though I love the restaurant and the family owners) is frankly an untrained beginner. She is cute, enthusiastic and has some natural talent, and brings a large and enthusiastic crowd of very VERY young friends. I can't honestly recommend it/her for the belly dancing, at least not for anyone who has a has a real appreciation for Arabic dancing. Also, unfortunately in my opinion, they play (loud) American music in between the belly dance sets (which for this specific dancer are very short, 2 songs).
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Karolinka - Professional Middle Eastern and Greek Belly Dance | Home Performance Schedule | Photo Gallery | Booking | Classes with K More About K | Music | Other Resources | (352)373-4991 | P.O. Box 90332 Gainesville, FL 32607 USA
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