Welcome to the opening of Balkan Folk Ensemble: Čardak!
Join us for homemade Balkan dishes like burek, ćevapi, sarma and freshly roasted lamb!

Doors open: 1pm
Program begins: 3pm

Support us by eating, drinking and having fun! All proceeds will go towards Čardak's beginnings steps as a performing group (costuming, studio rentals, etc.). There will also be information shared about supporting and joining the group. If you are, or know someone that is interested in learning and performing dances from Turkey, ex-Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece, join us and sign up that day!!! All ages and experience levels are welcome/encouraged!

To celebrate our launch, we will have live music by Bay Area's finest Fanfare Zambaleta (Trubači), Andrew Cohen on the accordion, and a special guest all the way from Romania, Ionella Guzic. Enjoy a beautiful performance by Pendari, a Bulgarian performing group and by magnificent belly dancer that will transport your heart and feet to Turkey, Nicole Maria.

As for the cherry on top, we present one of the masterminds behind the popular BalkanNights SF, DJ IVICA DORDEVIC to end the night with all the Balkan tunes- old, new, disco, pop, you name it!

SEE YOU THERE!!!!

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We have an extra special Balkan Sundays planned for April 13th at Baobab in SF. More details to come but you will not want to miss this one. Put it in the calendar!

Saturday, April 19, 2025
The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough presents
Istanbul Connection
8:00pm
The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA

Istanbul Connection
A Bay Area musical collective formed when thirteen members of the hottest Balkan and Latin bands were gravitationally pulled to visit the city of Istanbul. With a mind towards cross-cultural connection and sonic expansion, these die-hards flew 7,000 miles to represent a piece of the the Bay Area music scene. In the process, they have cemented themselves as a supergroup of groove and since their epic beginnings, the band has performed sold-out-show after sold-out-show. They continue to draw their inspiration from the Turkish Maqam, Flamenco, Rumba, Balkan, and Cumbia they are are so deeply rooted in. Come prepared to dance!

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