Mediterranean Fantasy Festival continues at Hiawatha today

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Two major ways to brighten your day today, no matter what the weather – and here’s one of them. Before day’s end on Saturday, we stopped by the 24th annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival. It offers an exotic, colorful escape, as its lineup of more than 200 belly-dance performers and vendors continues starting this morning at 11, in and around Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW). We were there for one of the Saturday afternoon sunbreaks:

It was just as bright indoors, with troupe after troupe taking turns delighting the crowd:

And when you stop in, note the festival banner at the indoor stage, designed by West Seattle dancer/artist Dina Lydia (the “Costume Goddess“):

You can find the dancer lineup and other information on the official MedFest website here. (And if you missed it previously, here’s our recent story about the busy local belly-dance scene!)

Neighbor July 17, 2011 (9:14 am)

I hope they turn the volume down today. I live blocks away and could only imagine what the people living within 6 blocks got to listen to all day. It felt like living in Mumbia, which isn’t all that bad but what if you need to take a nap…

abstract July 17, 2011 (10:33 am)

I used to live by Hiawatha. It was neat, for a few minutes…

foy boy July 17, 2011 (8:39 pm)

Now thats belly dancing

S5 July 17, 2011 (8:57 pm)

I live right across the street and yes, it was loud. I wear earplugs during this festival, every year. It’s too bad it rained on them though – I’m sure that affected their attendance.

Saroya Poirier July 18, 2011 (3:42 pm)

Sorry the sound was bothersome, we are aware of that, that kind of thing comes with festivals, and parades, which is this coming weekend. All the vendor porceeds collected by the park belongs to Hianwatha and goes for childrens events. Always has, the park doesn’t have to do much, all the work at the event is volunteer.

See you next year.

S5 July 18, 2011 (11:47 pm)

Parade noise lasts maybe 30 minutes, an hour at most – not 9 hours a day, for two days :-)

I’m glad to know that some of the festival proceeds go back to Hiawatha and their programs for children. Noise aside, the Fantasy Festival seems to be a very well-run event and a nice addition to the neighborhood’s activities. ‘Til next year!

FB July 22, 2011 (9:26 am)

In addition to the booth/vender fees that go to Hiawatha the city of Seattle comes around and collects a ‘tax’ of over 11% of all sales.

Sarah July 22, 2011 (9:29 am)

I’ve attended MedFest for many years, the dance variety and vending is like no other belly dancing festival. This year I danced there for the first time, and it was an amazing experience, even with the rain!
I was worried the music would be too quiet for our sets, but it was nice and loud – dancers need loud music to hear all the various parts in the song, and if 10 people are onstage with zills there’s a lot of noise – sorry!
Thank you so much to local residents for tolerating this festival over the years, I look forward to it every time! lelelele! :)

Gypsy de Rose July 22, 2011 (11:37 am)

Thank you Babs for hosting this event every year. It’s the largest Belly Dance Festival in Washington State and I can’t say enough good things about it. As a dancer, instructor and performer, I am thankful for this type of dancing opportunity, not only for myself but for all my students as well. It allows them to feel comfortable performing in front of their own peers, in a safe and happy environment.

To the grumpy neighbors, is two days out of your life REALLY that big of a deal. We prepare ALL year for the opportunity to be selected to perform at this event. The vendors pack in ALL their merchandise and offer us wonderful discounts ONCE a year at this event. You should really check it out, in person, if you have not done so. Chances are, there is a belly dancer living right next door to you and you probably don’t even know it. ;)~

Linda Joyce Minor July 22, 2011 (6:46 pm)

Oh YEA! Our troupe! I made the blue costume and updated the multi-colored one.
Instead of “taking a nap”-come on down and enjoy the fun and dancing and color–and shopping!
They did their best to keep the music down, but the dancers and the audience have trouble hearing the music. So don’t sit home–come join in! And it all goes to a great cause–for kids. If the lake can handle two days of loud “rooster tails” and jets flying over head–two days of dance is just as fun! Many of the dancers and troupes spend the year dancing for all sorts of wonderful causes for Kids, Cancer, Retirement centers-come have fun–take a lesson.
And yes, Thank you Babs and crew for all the work you do each year putting this festival together. It is the largest in the Northwest and growing in fame. And see you next year!

Nancy Brown July 22, 2011 (11:32 pm)

Wow, I couldn’t be more proud (as I am smiling in the top photo) that my Advanced Student Troupe “Off the Cuff Tribal” from ucanto bellydance is the photo lead in to the story…wow, thank you so much! :) And thank you to the Babs for putting on MedFest time and again through it all. And of course, thank you to the people that live around the area and their support of the festival. :)

WSB July 22, 2011 (11:38 pm)

Thanks to those coming here to comment – next year we hope to do a better job – some breaking news pulled us away this time around, so our coverage is from a relatively brief stop, but before next year, we welcome participants to get in touch with us ahead of time with any additional information about when you’re performing (we did link to the schedule on the Babs’ website), what you’re performing, or ANYTHING – we try to provide extra advance information, particularly for people who might be attending an event for the first time! – Tracy (WSB editor, editor@westseattleblog.com)

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