The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough presents
Kaimera (10 pm)
Bela Ruino (8 pm)
Saturday, June 20
Doors open at 7 pm; Show starts at 8 pm
The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
Tickets: $20 general/$15 students
All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm. Food, beer and wine available from the bar until 10 pm.
Kaimera
Kaimera is a thoughtfully crafted ensemble, led by Ryan Feldthouse on oud and violin and Jesse Torre on flamenco guitar. Their music is a fusion of Balkan, Flamenco, Greek, and Turkish influences, creating a layered and beautiful soundscape. With a balance of precision and spontaneity, Kaimera offers an immersive musical experience—perfect for special events, where their performance invites the audience to listen closely and connect.
Read More
Kaimera (from Greek mythology, spelt Chimera) is a legendary creature composed of different animals—most often described as having the body of a lion, the head of a goat rising from its back, and a serpent for a tail. The Chimera symbolizes a single being made from distinct and contrasting parts.
We chose the name Kaimera because our music brings together traditions that come from different cultures but share a common spirit. The ensemble features influences from Balkan, Flamenco, Greek, and Turkish music. Like the mythical Kaimera, the project is built from different elements that come together to form something unified, expressive, and unique.
Bela Ruino – “beautiful ruin” in Esperanto – is the captivating Romany-inflected goth rock-n-soul project led by dynamic violinist, singer, and songwriter Lila Sklar. With her background in classical violin and training in diverse musical traditions, Lila weaves together influences from the Middle East and the Balkans with traditional popular song structures to create a sound that’s both haunting and electrifying. The band’s performances blend sensuous, dark ballads with stirring torch songs. Lila has played and toured with Joanna Newsom, Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, The Toids, Rosin Coven, Kugelplex, and Divahn.
You’ll hear everything from a soul-stirring Nina Simone song in the 9-count meter of a Macedonian traditional, a Tom Waits tune reimagined with an Armenian folk melody, and Lila’s evocative eastern-flavored originals.
Read More
Alongside Lila’s soaring violin and vocals, the ensemble includes top-flight musicians including Max Baloian (Kugelplex, Polkacide) on guitar, Safa Shokrai (The Lost Shapes, Misagh Moradi) on acoustic bass, Aaron Kierbel (Rupa and the April Fishes, The Jazz Mafia, Meklit Hadero) on drums and Jill Rogers (Orchestra Nostalgico, Ex-Juncos, Crying Time) on guitar and backing vocals, each adding their own magic to this dynamic and eclectic sound.
Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal 