Friday, April 13, the Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal Presents...
Balkalicious Fire Drive - 11pm
Alaturca Connection - 10pm
Balkan Ensemble Meraklii with Rumen Sali Shopov - 9pm

The April edition of the Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal presents a triple bill featuring the rare worldly talent of local musicians and from near and far. The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal is a notoriously raucous marathon of music and dance at the Starry Plough Pub on the second Friday of every month.

The Starry Plough Pub
Doors at 8:00pm; Show at 9:00pm
Admission is $10+
21+ after 10pm (as kitchen closes)

Balkalicious Fire Drive
With searing instrumentals and fierce, sultry vocals soaring over hard-hitting grooves, the Bay Areas' Rockin' Balkan band, Balkalicious Fire Drive moves you with the raw and intoxicating energy, sound and spirit of the Balkans! The group is passionate about honouring traditional musical roots, particularly those of Greek, Balkan Rom, and Macedonian music, while infusing their sound with more modern sensibilities.

The members of BFD bring with them extensive and vibrant histories immersed in the world music scene. They are: Leslie Bonnett on vocals and violin; Shea A.J. Comfort on clarinet; Haig Kassabian on drums; Stu Brotman on bass; and Ali Yağiz Şen on guitar and vocals.

Alaturca Connection - Performing at 10 pm
Alaturca Connection is a band formed by Turkish, Kurdish, Roman, Tunisian, Azeri, Syrian and American musicians who bring the richness from their culture and background to the music they make. They mainly play classical and contemporary Turkish, Balkan, Roman music. The band works with nonprofit organizations; proceeds from their concerts go to social projects such as children's education. Band members: Jelaleddin Takesh: qanun, Lee Dynes: oud, Rumen Shopov: davul, Faisal Zedan: darbuka, Saleheddine Bedoui: violin, Raman Osman: saz, Mansour Ghanbari: cello, Nurdan Civi: vocals. 

Balkan Ensemble Meraklii with Rumen Sali Shopov - 9pm
Rumen Sali Shopov is an internationally acclaimed musician, arranger and band leader who has inspired many local musicians and groups. Ensemble Meraklii grew out of his Balkan and Romani Ensemble music/singing workshop at the Berkeley Jazz School.

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