The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough presents Istanbul Connection
Doors open at 7:30pm; Show starts at 8:30 pm; $20 general/$15 students, All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm. Food, beer and wine available from the bar until 10 pm.

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 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! istanbulconnection.net

Kata Miletich - Vox, Palmas, Haluk Kecelioglu - Oud, Violin, Vox, Raul Vargas - Cajón, Palmas, Vox, Bob Sanders - Guitar, Isaac “Izzy” Weiser - Bass, Gregory Masaki Jenkins - Clarinet, Saxophone, Danny Cao - Trumpet, Sean Tergis - Darbuka, Melissa Cruz - Drums, Flamenco Dance

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Called “a musical spectacle unlike anything else on North American stages”(San Francisco Chronicle), Goran Bregović and His Wedding and Funeral Orchestra deliver an electrifying fusion of Balkan brass, rock energy, and ancient folk traditions that transforms any venue into a pulsating celebration. Renowned for their thunderous horns, soaring choral harmonies, explosive party beats and driving rhythms, the ensemble blends cinematic scores from Bregović's film masterpieces (Borat, Arizona Dream) with irresistible dance anthems, creating music that feels timeless yet wildly contemporary.

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Join us for the 25th Herdeljezi Romani Festival, Voice of Roma’s annual springtime celebration of Romani music, dance and culture. The festival culminates in a concert featuring Ismail Lumanovski with our Festival Band and an opening set by Balkan Ensemble Meraklii. Doors open at 5:30 pm with a free panel discussion featuring festival artists and covering the human rights of Romani communities amidst shifting political climates, followed by a free Romani dance workshop at 7 pm.

Tickets: https://www.ashkenaz.com/#/events/175863
Website: http://www.voiceofroma.com/culture/HDZ-26.html

The Herdeljezi Festival Band highlights the traditional music of Balkan Roma as well as contemporary innovations. The Festival Band features star clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski, with Chris Bajmakovic, Hristina Ilioska, Benji Rifati, Rumen Sali Shopov and Janie Cowan. The opening evening set features local favorites Ensemble Meraklii with Rumen Sali Shopov.

1:00 - 2:15 PM: Drum Workshop with Rumen Sali Shopov
1:00 - 2:15 PM: Accordion and Multi-instrumental workshop with Chris Bajmakovic
2:30 - 3:45 PM: Balkan Singing Workshop with Hristina Ilioska
4:00 - 5:15 PM: Balkan Romani Melody workshop with Ismail Lumanovski
5:30 - 7:00 PM: Panel discussion begins; Doors open for evening concert ticket holders
7:00 - 8:00 PM: Romani Dance Workshop
8:00 PM: Concert and Dance Party
8:00- 9:00 PM: Balkan Ensemble Meraklii
9:30 - 12:00 PM: Herdeljezi Festival Band

Tickets and festival pass sales open in mid-March 2026 at ashkenaz.com

Ticket prices:
General - evening concert: $35/$30 adv
Students - evening concert: $30 adv
General Workshop registration (per session): $25/$20 adv
Student Workshop registration: $20
All workshop pass general: $65/$60 adv
All workshop pass student: $55/$50 adv

Contact festival production manager Peter Bonos, berkeleybalkanbacchanal@gmail.com for further information, including volunteer opportunities.

The Festival is presented by Voice of Roma, co-presented by Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal and hosted by Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center.
The Festival is funded by Berkeley Civic Arts and the National Arts Relief Fund.
Graphic design by Jenette Sellin.

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Join the Disciples of Markos for another evening of old school Rebetika classics and obscurities from the 1930s.

The Disciples convene once again to bring the kefi to the Little Hill Lounge, our own little hash den in El Cerrito (Just 10 minutes from Berkeley via I-80). So clean out your narghile, and get there early!

No cover, but $10 suggested donation please.

Dmitri Mavra - Bouzouki
Gregory Jenkins - Vocals and Baglama
Jenette Sellin - Guitar and Accordion
Jordan Ruyle - Tzouras and Guitar

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