Fine food. Deep brass

A new night rises from the smoke and spice of the East.

Ionela Guzic, Romania’s folklore firestarter, flew in to light up the room with her unmistakable voice—equal parts ancestral memory and viral blaze. If you know, you know. If you don’t, you will.

For the first installment of our monthly fine-dining takeover, we’re serving up a 6-piece Balkan dream team:

Marco Peris Coppola – deep percussion & tapan wizardry

Nena Lovre (Serbia) – accordion lines that breathe smoke

Paul Marini – sousaphone low-end that'll shake your glassware

Greg Jenkins – clarinet & sax textures from soul to shred

Marco Ghezzo – violin fire, Balkan style

All anchored by one voice: Ionela Guzic—a sound born in the Carpathians, now echoing into California nights.

Tickets here

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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Balkan Sundays is back at Baobab on April 13th, and this one’s gonna be 🔥!

We’ve got a powerhouse Brass Session crew lined up, bringing high-energy Balkan grooves you won’t want to miss. Danny Cao on trumpet, Morgan Nilsen on clarinet/sax, Jeff Giaquinto on sousaphone, and Sean Tergis on drums plus, you can bet on some surprise heavy hitters jumping in!

Get ready to dance, vibe, and lose yourself in the music.

✨ Catch Balkan Sundays every 4th Sunday at Ashkenaz in Berkeley and 2nd Sunday at Baobab in SF. Stay tuned for more! ✨

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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Trumpet player and trend-setting music icon Džambo Aguševi returns on tour to California in partnership with Voice of Roma for their annual springtime celebration of Romani music, dance and culture on May 3. Save the date for a one-day festival at Ashkenaz culminating in an evening concert and dance party featuring members of Džambo Aguševi Orchestra (touring from N. Macedonia), Rumen Sali Shopov & Balkan Ensemble Meraklii, Stevens Family “Gypsy Boys” and Songs of Šaban Bajramović performed by Šani Rifati, Marco Ghezzo and Dušan Ristić.

A free panel discussion with the artists will cover current events concerning the human rights of Roma communities amidst shifting political climates.

Afternoon workshops for brass musicians, percussionists, folk dancers and singers will also be offered to festival goers, also at Ashkenaz. Schedule, concert tickets, workshop registration and full performer details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Individual and group masterclasses with Agusevi band members can be booked by appointment. Contact festival production manager Peter Bonos <peterbonos@gmail.com> for further information, including volunteer opportunities and lessons.
Copresented by Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal. Cofunded by ACTA and NEA. Graphic design by Jenette Selin.

Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center
1317 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA

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