Belly Dance By Karolinka (Karolyne) - Bellydance Performances at Hookah Nite Lounge Gainesville, Sahara Cafe Jacksonville, Boutiq International Nights Gainesville Florida and elsewhere

- - - - - - - - - - Fall 2009- - - - - - - - - -
Scroll down for information on specific venues and appearances.

Currently I'm appearing publicly at individually booked gigs (public parties, banquets, etc.) and private engagements.

A couple of regular (weekly) jobs are currently under negotiation. Stay tuned.

Do you truly enjoy seeng belly dancing? Want to encourage club/restaurant owners to have belly dancing, in general? YOU HAVE THE POWER! And these days it is really important to support local venues who have belly dancing. Times are tough, and the first thing that gets wacked is entertainment, believe me. Make no bones about it, $$$ is the bottom line. If customers ask for it/come see it/spend money, not just every once in a while but consistently, it's much more likely you will get/keep a belly dancing venue in your area. SERIOUSLY, do these things: call and ask if they have belly dancing; if they don't, be annoying: ask if they expect to, that you really like belly dancing and would frequent their establishment if they had it, you think their venue would be great; ask to speak TO THE OWNER... or at the very least ask for the owner's name, ask the brainless wait person who probably answered the phone to give your message directly to the owner; call AGAIN! Tell your friends to call!

If/When there is belly dancing, SHOW UP, make positive comments while you are there, directly to the owners (ask for them, believe me, they LOVE to hear positive things directly from customers), AND SPEND MONEY, (don't forget to TIP THE DANCER!!!!). Recruit friends to do the same (only, of course, if you and they and actually ENJOY having a place to see belly dancing). The owners will be much more likely to start/continue it. Some owners have more patience than others. Unfortunately most owners do NOT have the patience to stick with scheduled, regular (none of this "oh, it's dead tonight, we don't need a dancer so don't come in" cr@p) long enough to make the dancing make money for them -- which it WILL. But it's not an overnight gold mine, to say the least.

Want belly dancing in Gainesville? Hookah Nite Cafe, Gainesville - is a wonderful place regardless, the owners are GOOD people, and I frequent it even though they no longer have dancing (see more about 'HNC' below). But they are new in the biz, were a little startled by the normal Gainesville summer drop in business and so dropped the belly dancing... but I think they would be open to starting again IF they saw a demand, and then saw at least a slight increase in business ON belly dancing nights. Want belly dancing in Gainesville? Pick up your phone, call HNC, and TELL them, very specifically! (352) 377-6789, open daily 4pm - 2am. (don't say you read it here, not that it's going to be a secret)

Karolinka's Public Performances - Summer 2009
See below for show times

Tues 3/3 Arabic Night, Gainesville - entire evening at a swanky Arabic dinner & dance club!

Fri 3/13 Sahara Cafe', Jacksonville Status: CONFIRMED

Sat 3/14 Hookah Nite Cafe',Gainesville

Fri 3/20 Sahara Cafe', Jacksonville Status: CONFIRMED

Sat 3/28 Hookah Nite Cafe',Gainesville

Thu 4/2 Boutiq Night Club, Gainesville

Fri 4/3 Sahara Cafe', Jacksonville Status: No show at Sahara (private engagement)

Fri 4/10 Sahara Cafe', Jacksonville Status: No show at Sahara (private engagement)

Sat 4/11 Hookah Nite Cafe',Gainesville

May-? Hookah Nite Cafe',Gainesville has cancelled belly dancing until "we'll see." After 4 months w/dancing every Saturday, owners dropped dancing during UF break, planning to begin again with the '09 UF Summer A semester... hasn't happened.Want belly dancing back? CALL HNC AND TELL THEM, (352)377-6789 and then come! and spend $$!

Sat 4/25 Tera Nova, Jacksonville

May Sahara Cafe', Jacksonville Is beginning to schedule 'regular' bellydancing; waiting for the word.

Fridays July Boutiq Night Club, Gainesville. Originally planning to remodel/reopen '09 UF Summer Semester B, with a "new and improved" International night (including lots of dancing by me ;P)... last word: entire club is being re-done to open under new name... sometime Fall/Winter '09. Who knows. Boutiq's owner was excited and determined to make this a GREAT club night, period - better music (true and more house and International), and I was told I'd better be ready to bethere "all night" (?!). News posted here when it comes!

Other
"Blazers & Heels Affair" Saturday April 25, 2009
Tera Nova Lounge, Baymeadows Rd. & Phillips Highway (US 1), Jacksonville, FL. (904)887-9983
Event is 9 pm - 2 am
Jacksonville's most fashion-forward nightclub hosts "A Blazers & Heels Affair," dress to impress and come party in the elegant atmosphere of Tera Nova. I'll be performing a short set at approximately midnight. TO VIEW THE FLYER CLICK here >>>> http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/91/l_e3a4ee1568774dcbaea0bd444d30a80b.jpg

Other
Arabic Night Tuesday March 3, 2009
101 Downtown, 201 SE 2nd Ave., Gainesville, FL
Event is 9 pm - 2 am
The University of Florida's Arabic Cultural Association (ACA) brings you another fabulous party night. A swank Arabic Dance club magically appears in downtown Gainesville! All Arabic music all night... come ready to dance... to dabkeh... or to sit and enjoy a hookah or dinner in the beautiful surroundings of the 101 Downtown restaurant and club.
I'll be performing later in the evening, time TBD.
$5 charge at door, all goes to ACA to fund cultural (and fun) events open to all.

Hookah Nite Cafe'
2614 SW 34th St., Gainesville, FL
(352)3776789

NO LONGER HOSTING BELLY DANCING - you could help change that!
A wonderful place regardless, the owners are GOOD people, and I frequent it even though they no longer have dancing. But they are new in the biz, were a little startled by the normal Gainesville summer drop in business and so dropped the belly dancing... but I think they would be open to starting again IF they saw a demand, and then saw at least a slight increase in business ON belly dancing nights. Want belly dancing in Gainesville? Pick up your phone, call HNC, and TELL them, very specifically! (352) 377-6789, open daily 4pm - 2am. (don't say you read it here, not that it's going to be a secret!).
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From Spring 2009:
Belly Dancing every Saturday
Karolinka appears every other Saturday (alternates with partner Kahlilah)
Shows at 9 pm, 10 pm, 11 pm and 12 am.
REAL SHOWS! Open central area so dancing is visible to everyone in main room, instead of dancer having to weave through tightly spaced tables. Exciting, entertaining (and often interactive) shows which audiences of any background or age can enjoy. Different music and different (spectacular!) costumes every show and every week. From classical Egyptian orchestral belly dance pieces, to golden era singers such as Olm Kulsum and Faride Al Attrache... to Syrian, Palestinian, Lebanese traditional favorites, dabkeh, popular singers from all, Arabic club remixes...peppered with Moroccan rai and just some really weird stuff :).... finger cymbals (zils/sagat), assaya (cane), veil, sword and double sword..... you WON'T be bored!
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About Hookah Nite Cafe (HNC) - a genuine gem you'd never expect to find in north central Florida.
Click on photos for large versions

If you've been wishing there was an Arabic night spot with good hookah, great music and room for YOU to dance and dabke, as well as quiet nooks to hang with your friends -- not to mention spectacular belly dance shows -- all in comfortable, clean, luxurious (and "authentic") surroundings....
OR
If you know nothing about hookahs or dabkeh or bellydancing and just want something fun, classy, and different from the same old beer swilling bar scene (or DVD's at home)....
WHAT ARE U WAITING FOR!! HNC is it!
Welcoming and warm atmosphere, Syrian/Palestinian with a dash of funk... large main room and all four side rooms have padded bench seating around all walls, small low tables. And these crazy, wonderful poof chairs that sure aren't Middle Eastern but are the most comfortable things you will ever sit in (but not disappear down into)... and they swivel so you can keep an eye on activities everywhere. Ambient lighting with a multitude of completely tacky but perfect beaded chandeliers... and when things get going disco ball and lights!
Arabic music playing at all times, usually accompanying videos on medium large flat screen that isn't obnoxiously overwhelming. On weekends later in the evening music is often provided by customers or myself... and usually has customers on their feet inbetween my shows, dabkehing or just dancing.
If you want to relax with some friends, the four side rooms of varying sizes provide quieter (if you want; or music/tv can be piped in), more intimate surroundings... and you can always come out and watch the shows!
HNC has a respectable menu of mazza (snack type food) (spinach/cheese/meat pies, hummos, some chicken main dishes), sweets (baklava, basboussa, kanafa, cakes) and drinks (tea, juice, home-made smoothies I'm told are delish, and beer). And EXCELLENT turkish coffee (ask for heavy; and sweet is personally my preference). Also regular and flavored coffees, espresso.
Hookahs are $9.99, 12.99, and 15.99, come with 2 coals (and FREE coal recharges), and a bowl of peanuts & M&M's (until they run out!). Al-Faker, Starbuzz, Fantasia, Nahkla.
Regular hours are seven days a week, 4 pm until 2 am. When things are hopping on the weekends, they do stay open as late as 3, 3:30 if there is a rockin' crowd there.

Boutiq Night Club
6 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 224-5722
FALL '09 - CURRENTLY CLOSED
Originally planning to remodel/reopen '09 UF Summer Semester B, with a "new and improved" International night (including lots of dancing by me ;P)... last word: entire club is being re-done to open under new name... sometime Fall/Winter '09. Who knows. Boutiq's owner was excited and determined to make this a GREAT club night, period - better music (true and more house and International), and I was told I'd better be ready to bethere "all night" (?!). News posted here when it comes!
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From Spring 2009: International Nights At Boutiq, every Thursday
Club opens at 10pm.
4/2/09
I'll be performing 10-15 minute sets on the top floor at 11pm, 12am, and 1am
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International Nights are on "break" for Summer A (UF Semester), return is planned beginning of Summer B (classes begin June 29 2009)
From Boutiq: Welcome to Gainseville's first true International Night.
Boutiq lounge will host DJ BORNA of Orlando and Gainesville's own DJ EsTeBaN; every thursday night!
Third floor will feature DJ BORNA throwing down an eclectic set of Indian, Persian, House,Arabic, Hip Hop and Indie. DJ Esteban will keep the bottom floors moving with the best Latin and world beats.
Professional belly dancer performs as you enjoy the newly renovated Boutiq Lounge. Boutiq lounge offers a truely intimate enviroment with elegant new VIP sections and spacious bars. Ice cold air conditioning will keep everyone comfortable all night.
VIP SPECIALS:

$75 Smirnoff
$75 Bacardi
$100 Stolichnaya
$100 Ciroc
$150 Grey Goose
***Each VIP Section recieves a free hookah and a free bottle of Champagne***

$2 Corona
$3 single liquor drinks
$5 double liquor drinks
$5 Patron shots on the third floor bar!
For VIP Reservations call: 305-310-1803

Sahara Cafe'
Jacksonville, Florida
(904) 338-9049

Show Days & Times: Undergoing changes!
Sahara used to have belly dancing every Friday and Saturday. From about August '08 until April '09 they cut back drastically on belly dancing, and the schedule was on a rather fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants schedule.
As of late April '09, the owner has started scheduling some Fridays. As soon as I know anything I'll post, and/or call the restaurant.

Casbah Cafe'
Jacksonville, Florida

In case you heard I was dancing there - after 10 years (starting when they opened in 1999 as their only dancer, three nights a week), I am taking a very extended 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) had taken over my nights, be unfortunately she is no longer dancing.

Other Ways to Get Performance Info (or if above schedule is not current - sorry if so!)
It's always a good idea to double check any time you go to a restaurant/club/lounge specifically expecting to see a belly dancer, especially a particular dancer. Last minute schedule changes are notoriously common in this biz. You can always check with the restaurant, but often you'll get a staff member who may not know any changes have been made (but will speak with great authority nonetheless! usually not their fault :) )
Feel free to contact me or use the resources below to double check my schedule, or if the above schedule is not (cringe) up to date.

Contacting me via email ( info(at)bellydancewithk(dot)com ) is going to get you the fastest and most accurate information and I'm happy to give you info, don't be shy. Anyone you speak to at the restaurant may or may not know (or think they know).
Facebook.com I'm on there, it's quick and easy to use, so I tend to have close to real-time information there (whereas this website can lag a bit). If you are already a member, you can

"Friend" me (by all means!): I always (almost) send my personal Facebook "friends" announcements about performances in their area. Search for me as "Karolyne Also Karolinka" or by facebook(at)bellydancewithk(dot)com. Or, log on and (hopefully) this link will take you to my profile. Friend request me, and with the request (PLEASE!) include a short note saying how you know/found out about me, and specifically (if applicable) that you are interested in performances and where.
Search for an Event page (host will be the restaurant/lounge/club, Jacksonville FL, Gainesville FL, or other city if noted in the listing here on this schedule page, type=party, subtype=club party); I always create one for each performance, usually not until the week of the performance.
If one exists, check the Group page of the venue. Currently, only SAHARA CAFE JAX has a semi-official Group page. I usually (though not always, depending on time) post on that page ("wall" and "links") when I'm dancing next. There is a group page that was created for Hookah Nite Cafe, but at this time it's not authorized by the Cafe owners (they have no control over it), so neither they nor I am posting information there.
If one exists, join the Group page of the venue (see above for which of my venues have Group pages). I try to send notices directly to group members about each performance.

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 :)

| (352)373-4991 | P.O. Box 90332 Gainesville, FL 32607 USA

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