Happy holidays, everyone!

Just wanted to remind you all about the hafla Banat el Shamal is hosting next Saturday evening at my house. If you need directions, let me know. My phone is (816) 453-7122. This is a potluck hafla. My students and I will be providing a box 'o wine and some bottled water, as well as a few light refreshments. But if there's anything else you would like to imbibe, bring it along! Just be sure to bring a designated driver, too, if need be.

To clear up some confusion: This is separate from the dancing at Midnight at the giant Christmas Tree at Zona Rosa. That will be midnight New Year's Eve. The thing was, we wanted to do both, but some of us already had New Year's plans, so we couldn't combine the hafla with the Midnight rockin' round the Xmas tree.

So join us at either both. The more, the merrier.

Oh, and I just checked the weather for dancing outdoors. It should be in the upper 20s and no snow or ice, if the forecasters are correct. So it should be fun! Be sure to wear late season Ren-Fest style garb and not skimpy cabaret costuming, or you'll freeze your @#$&*** off. Personally, I'm planning to wear my thermal undies under my ghwazee coat and huge harem pants with black boots. And I'll have my big wool Ren-Fest cloak on over it before and after dancing. Just some costuming hints for those of you who might like to join us but don't have any experience dancing outdoors in cold weather.

Oh, and if the weather stays clear (I figure turnout will be too low to do this if we have sub-zero temps or an ice storm ... snow would be fun), I plan to let the TV stations know we'll be there, just in case they'd like to send a camera crew. You never do know.