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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Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal presents Lars and In Charge and Fanfare Zambaleta at The Starry Plough Pub

Tickets: $20 general/$15 students; Doors open at 7 pm; All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm. Beer and wine available at the bar. Kitchen closes at 10 pm.

Lars and in Charge (10-Midnight) performs high-energy original and traditional music of Turkey, Greece and beyond. Lars Tergis and Greg Jenkins lead the charge on violin and clarinet with driving, gritty interpretations of classic party tunes and original compositions. Chris Reid adds a touch of ‘West’ with percussive chordal accompaniment on steel-string guitar. Joe Rosato Jr. holds it down on upright bass while Faisal Zedan keeps the beat popping on derbekki, riqq and davul. Joined on stage with bellydancer Nicole Maria, Lars and In Charge guarantees a big sound and an even bigger party!
instagram.com/larsandinchargeband
facebook.com/larsandinchargeband

Fanfare Zambaleta (8-10 pm) is an eight piece Balkan Brass band specializing in spirited music of the Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek and especially the Romani people. Combining a love of the classic brass bands of the past with the modern sounds coming out of the Balkans, Fanfare Zambaleta brings an irresistible blend of old and new to get you dancing! They've learned from some of the greats including Demiran Ćerimović, Džambo Aguševi Orkestar and Nizo Alimov (of Kočani Orkestar) and are now embarking on a new journey to write original tunes inspired by their deep love of the music. The band is directed by Gregory Masaki Jenkins (alto sax, clarinet) and features Joey Friedman (alto sax), Noah Levitt, Peter Bonos, and Max Miller-Loran (trumpets), Rachel MacFarlane, Adam Waite, and Brendan Mauro (mid horns), Evan Stuart (sousaphone) and Ivan Velev (percussion, vocals).

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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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