bellydance Shopping in San Francisco

[khalisah]

Hello all,

I am going to be in SF in November, and wondered if anyone knows of any stores there where I can shop for cabaret-style costumes? Thanks for your help!

-Lisa

[*Shira*]

Originally Posted by khalisah

Hello all,

I am going to be in SF in November, and wondered if anyone knows of any stores there where I can shop for cabaret-style costumes? Thanks for your help!

-Lisa

It has been 3 years since I moved away from the Bay Area, so not sure how current this info is... Hmmm, I know that MaShuqa in San Jose used to be a seller of Audrena's goods, and had a lot of Egyptian imports such as Pharaonics. The Magic Camel (in The Pink City) in Sunnyvale had some locally-made costumes of good quality, which are nice for folks who don't want to look like a clone of everyone else. Lunatic Fringe in Sunnyvale is more oriented to the tribal and Gypsy crowds, but if you head down to Sunnyvale it's worth a stop to see what's there.

[Monica]

Originally Posted by khalisah

Hello all,

I am going to be in SF in November, and wondered if anyone knows of any stores there where I can shop for cabaret-style costumes? Thanks for your help!

-Lisa

Hi Khalisah,

There is actually not a lot in San Francisco proper. Shira gave you some good leads for the south bay (between SF and San Jose). There is also Leea Aziz's shop in Walnut Creek (east bay, semi-close to BART if you are not going to have a car). She has a full service shop with lots of two-piece sets in stock most of the time.

Occasionally Multikulti, owned by Reda Darwish, will have some nicer belly dance stuff in stock. His shop is on Valencia at 16th. There is also a small shop called Semirami's that sometimes has accessories and music, and occasionally a costume or two. It is on Mission Street near 26th. Both are in the Mission (neighborhood).

The only other shop I know of is Fat Chance Belly Dance's studio, but they probably don't have too many 'cabaret' costumes. :)

There are lots of shops on Haight Street that offer Indian and Thai imports with pseudo-belly dance looking scarves and skirts, but not pro costumes.

If I think of anything else I will let you know, but that is what pops to mind. Feel free to drop a line with any other SF questions. :)

Cheers,

Monica

[khalisah]

Hey, thanks very much to both of you! I'll only be there a couple of days but will definitely try to check some of these places out.

[naiyahayal]

Originally Posted by khalisah

Hello all,

I am going to be in SF in November, and wondered if anyone knows of any stores there where I can shop for cabaret-style costumes? Thanks for your help!

-Lisa

Hi! Yes!!!!! Come to Carnival of Stars in Hayward on November 10th & 11th!! MaSuqua will have glorious Pharaonics, all new ...... I'm bringing about six boxes of cabaret costumes and will be vending next to her and Carl -- everything from used, to almost new, to brand-new. And I'll also have hundreds of hairpieces & wigs -- most are $8 for the hairpieces. You can log on the ghawzee.com and get all the information. Great line up of dancers, both days, workshops, discussion panel.....and a costume contest .....PM me if you want more information......if you come say "BHUZ!" and I'll give you a discount, haha!

[naiyahayal]

PS -- if you are not familiar with the Bay Area, I can get you instructions on how to get there from SF ..... I'm in SF ..... if you can't be at the show, let me know if you want to see my stuff in the City ...... Oh, Shaunte is also in the Bay Area. She is at egyptiandancer dot com.......she may have some more Emans!

[JeanneLF]

It's been a while since I've been to this place so I can't absolutely guarantee it's still there, but there's a shop in San Francisco (in the Mission) called Multiculti (or Multikulti?), at 539 Valencia St., San Fran 94110, phone 415-437-1718. They have a general mix of Middle Eastern, Indian, etc. goods including some things of interest to belly dancers (apparently the owner is a percussionist). I actually bought a bedlah there once.

[Monica]

Originally Posted by JeanneLF

It's been a while since I've been to this place so I can't absolutely guarantee it's still there, but there's a shop in San Francisco (in the Mission) called Multiculti (or Multikulti?), at 539 Valencia St., San Fran 94110, phone 415-437-1718. They have a general mix of Middle Eastern, Indian, etc. goods including some things of interest to belly dancers (apparently the owner is a percussionist). I actually bought a bedlah there once.

That is the place I referenced above--definitely still there!
M.

[khalisah]

Wow, as it happens, I will be there 11/10, so I'm going to try to come to the Carnival of Stars! That sounds like a fun way to get to check out several vendors. If I have time, I may also check out the other options. Thanks so much to everyone for the great ideas!

[leylalanty]

Originally Posted by khalisah

Wow, as it happens, I will be there 11/10, so I'm going to try to come to the Carnival of Stars! That sounds like a fun way to get to check out several vendors. If I have time, I may also check out the other options. Thanks so much to everyone for the great ideas!

Great! A lot of us SF Bay Area Bhuzzers will be there. I'll be working at the door for a while on Saturday, Nov. 10.

[dancingrrrlz]

There are lovely sari stores on University Avenue in Berkeley as well as Cost Less, the store for hand-crafted coin costumes as well as items for do-it-your-selfers.

http://www.costlesscostumes.com/
Better call before going.

[*Shira*]

Originally Posted by dancingrrrlz

T...as well as Cost Less, the store for hand-crafted coin costumes as well as items for do-it-your-selfers.

http://www.costlesscostumes.com/
Better call before going.

Is Cost Less still selling belly dance costumes and supplies? When I was there about 4-5 years ago, Patrick seemed intent on converting the shop to be ENTIRELY just another generic bead-selling store. He had nice beads for hobbyists who like to make their own jewelry, but he was almost hostile to me when I was asking about buying filigrees, foils, crystals, mirrors, etc. for making some repairs to my existing Cost Less costumes that had been made by his father. He told me he was trying to get rid of all belly dance related merchandise, including the pieces for doing costume repairs, as quickly as possible, and would be happy once he was rid of it all.

Maybe I just caught him on a bad day. But given how forceful he was in his conversation with me, I'm quite surprised to hear he may still be selling goodies! (I always loved Cost Less costumes, and I treasure the three I have!)

[Shaunte]

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

PS -- if you are not familiar with the Bay Area, I can get you instructions on how to get there from SF ..... I'm in SF ..... if you can't be at the show, let me know if you want to see my stuff in the City ...... Oh, Shaunte is also in the Bay Area. She is at egyptiandancer dot com.......she may have some more Emans!

Hi Khalisah,

I'm also a new vendor in the bay area. I run a small boutique of Eman Zaki's from my loft in Emeryville (at the end of the Bay Bridge) on the East bay side. I have a shipment coming in next week. I'll also be performing at Carnivale on 11/10, but I'll be leaving immediately after to fly out to Rome.

I have 3 remaining Emans from my previous shipment that you can find on my site www.egyptiandancer.com. I also just launched a new site that is still a work in progress that will feature the new collection and any future collections @ www.cairocouture.com. Feel free to email me if there is something you like, I can arrange to bring it with me to Carnival of Stars.

Enjoy your time in SF!

Shaunte

[kahaz]

And, if you ask Mr. Derwish where he's playing that evening, you know that you'll hear some great music! It's been a few years since we did this, but my sweetie went into the store (I was in a conference), bought a hip scarf for me, struck up a conversation with Reda, came back to get me and bring me to the shop where I bought some jewelry, then we went to dinner at (I think) Amaya where Reda was playing with other musicians and a GREAT Moroccan meal and an OK dancer. The restaurant was practically across the street from his store.

You'll have fun!

Kitty

[tabitha]

Hmm...I don't know of a restaurant called Amaya. It was Aziza, probably. But they're closed now.

[naiyahayal]

If you like Moroccan food -- El Mansour on Clement Street (near the VA Hospital, near 32nd & Clement) in San Francisco -- Hoda & Jack are the owners -- they have the best lentil soup & appetizers! They are crazy busy on Friday nights, so reservations are a must!

[Monica]

Originally Posted by tabitha

Hmm...I don't know of a restaurant called Amaya. It was Aziza, probably. But they're closed now.

Reda used to play at Amira, which was across the street and up a block. He played there weekly for a while, then did a monthly Thursday showcase with some way more than OK dancers*! :)

Amira is closed now, and to the best of my knowledge Reda is not playing anywhere regularly.


*Me, Jasmine and Margo

[tabitha]

Amira...that's it. Thanks Monica.

[dancingrrrlz]

About Cost Less: I don't know about their current status. I know they were doing more beading stuff, Chinese Opera, etc. But I haven't been in a long time, so best to check before going.