UW World Series - MOMIX's Botanica

Dance-illusionists MOMIX perform a variety of pieces from "Botanica," a series celebrating the wonders of nature Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, in the Meany Hall for the Performing Arts on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. The show, put on by the UW World Series, runs through Saturday. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Sea Gals | First Round Auditions

Over 180 hopeful women showed up for the first round of open Sea Gals auditions Sunday, April 14, 2013, at the CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle. Contestants were judged on dance ability, pizzazz and physical appearance. Nearly half of the attendees made the preliminary cut. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Learning the "Thriller" dance | Seattle Thrillers

Sheri Kinley, in pink, is surrounded by a group of dancers during a rehearsal of Michael Jackson's classic song "Thriller" Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, at the Artspace Hiawatha Lofts in Seattle, Wash. The group - like many across the globe - was practicing in anticipation of the Thrill the World performance on October 27.

Mediterranean Fantasy Festival | West Seattle

Deanna "Tamzine" Metz, a pharmacy tech, swirls through her veiling performance on the second day of the 25th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center in West Seattle, Washington. "This is where I get to see all of my friends and just chill," Metz said. Metz has been a dancer for 10 years. The two-day event is the largest belly dancing festival in the Pacific Northwest.

Suzanna Davis, second from top left, cheers on another dancer from her spot in the crowd during the 25th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center in West Seattle, Washington.

Debbie Cram, left, and Barb Smith, right, warm up for their performance during the 25th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center in West Seattle, Washington.

Dancer Hasani Abbott shows off a dress to a customer from her merchandise tent during the 25th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center in West Seattle, Washington. The two-day event is the largest belly dancing festival in the Pacific Northwest.

Dancer Meaghan McKracken watches closely as she carefully applies makeup to a friend during the 25th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center in West Seattle, Washington.

Beth Ann Hinkle, a fifth year performer with Hands of Kali, practices balancing a scimitar sword on her head during the 25th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center in West Seattle, Washington.

Bon Odori

Dozens of participants - some in traditional garb - take part in the Mi Kokoro dance at the 80th annual summer festival of Bon Odori Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Seattle Buddhist Temple in Seattle, Wash. Also known as Obon, the festival is an official Seafair event intended to honor ancestors who have passed on and to remember and appreciate all they have done. Many festivalgoers dress in Japanese kimono or yukata. The event also features Japanese food booths and refreshment, taiko and martial arts performances, and craft exhibits and demonstrations.

Aiden Baxter, left, faces off against his opponent during a performance by Seattle Kendo Kai at the 80th annual summer festival of Bon Odori Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Seattle Buddhist Temple in Seattle, Wash.

Arika Chinn, 7, smiles at her mother during a portrait during at 80th annual summer festival of Bon Odori Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Seattle Buddhist Temple in Seattle, Wash. Chinn and her mother are lifelong attendees of the celebration.

A woman holds her hands during a chant at the Obon service during the 80th annual summer festival of Bon Odori Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Seattle Buddhist Temple in Seattle, Wash.

Prepping for the Pow Wow | Camp Jeremiah Johnson

Andrew Reese, 20, of Salt Lake City, listens to his iPod in an effort to memorize a song he was intending to sing during an annual Native American Pow Wow on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Camp Jeremiah Johnson in Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah. The event - meant to enhance awareness for Native American culture and raise funds for scholarships - was complete with traditional dress, food, dance and music.

The Shelley Irish Dance Company | Pre-show

Just a little backstage lipstick action before a performance by Utah's most esteemed Irish dance group. The girls of The Shelley Irish Dance Company rehearsed for this night - the one and only showing - for over 10 months. This particular group of young women were cooler than most when it came to letting a dude creep around in their dressing room pre-show. Enjoy.

Hannah Cosper, 16, left, perfects the application of her thick, red lipstick before the annual performance by the young women of The Shelley Irish Dance Company on Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah. The concert featured the state teen fiddle and guitar champions, members of the group Firefly, the Timpanogos Pipe Band, An Rogaire Dubh and the local championship Highland dancers.