The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough presents
Balkan Ensemble Meraklii Rumen Sali Shopov Birthday Celebration with Édessa, Ivan Velev, Hector Bezanis and more Saturday, July 18
Doors open at 7 pm; Show starts at 8 pm The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA Tickets: $25 general/$20 students All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm. Food, beer and wine available from the bar until 10 pm.
Bay Area-based Balkan Ensemble Merkalii & Rumen Sali Shopov pick you up and spin you around with their energetic Balkan and Romani dance tunes.
Rumen “Sali” Shopov is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and director of Balkan Ensemble Merkalii. Raised in the vibrant Turkish/Muslim/Romani neighborhood of Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria, he was immersed in Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, Turkish, Serbian, and Romani music, and also served as concertmaster of the Bulgarian folk ensemble Nevrokop. Since emigrating to the US in 2001, he has performed and taught in numerous Bay Area venues as well as international music camps and has received support from ACTA and the Berkeley Civic Arts Commission.
We will feature sequence of short sets dedicated to Rumen, including the following groups and performers:
Édessa is a Bay Area-based acoustic ensemble renowned for playing traditional and highly ornamented folk music from the Balkans and beyond. The band is famous for bringing the rich history of Balkan border music to life. Édessa explores a deep repertoire of border music—a fusion of styles born from intersecting cultures, shifting borders, and traveling musicians across Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia.
Ivan Velev plays tapan and kaval, like his spirit: joyous and playful. He’s also a charismatic Balkan folk dance leader. Originally from Bulgaria, he brings a deep love and connection to Eastern European music and dance traditions and always makes it FUN! He will perform an opening set, joined by Hector Bezanis on tbulgarian gaida
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.
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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.
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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.
AVRA – Greek Folkdance Music Saturday, May 16, 8:30 pm The Starry Plough Pub 3101 Shattuck St. Berkeley, CA
Fans of Greek music are in for a treat at this month’s bacchanal with Ari and Greg and friends’ newest band returning to the stage at the Starry Plough.
Tickets: $20 general/$15 students; Doors open at 7:30 pm; All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm. Beer and wine available at the bar. Kitchen closes at 10 pm.
AVRA (8-10 pm) is a new project with familiar faces from the Bay Area Greek and Balkan music scene, performing traditional Greek music for dancers. Their repertoire comes from all corners of Greece, and beyond: the valley region of Thrace, the mountainous region of Epirus, the windy islands, the plains and rivers of Thessaly, the shores of the Black Sea and the Aegean. AVRA features, Ari Langer (violin), Gregory Masaki Jenkins (clarinet, vocals, percussion), Jenette Sellin (accordion and santouri) and Michael Garibaldi (percussion, vocals, laouto).
Lars and In Charge with Zoe Jakes and Pixie Fordtears Fanfare Zambaleta Saturday,April 18, 8 pm The Starry Plough Pub 3101 Shattuck St. Berkeley, CA
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 by some of the Bay Area’s top belly dancers, Lars and In Charge guarantees a big sound and an even bigger party! instagram.com/larsandinchargeband facebook.com/larsandinchargeband
Zoe Jakes is a founding member of the electronic and world fusion group Beats Antique, where she composes music and is the lead dancer along with a troupe featuring Pixie Fordtears. Since Beats Antique’s 2007 inception, Zoe has been renowned around the world for her unique form of belly dance.
Fanfare Zambaleta (Bay Area Balkan Brass) 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).
Voice of RomaHerdeljezi Romani Festival Saturday, May 2, 2026, show starts at 8pm; doors open at 5:30pm Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702
7 pm: Free Dance Workshop; 5:30 pm Free Panel Discussion on Romani music, culture and human rights; 1-5 pm: Instrumental and Singing Workshops (additional regististration required).
Join us for the 25th Herdeljezi Romani Festival, Voice of Roma’s annual springtime celebration of Romani music, dance and culture that culminates in a concert and dance party at 8 pm. The evening events begin 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.
The Herdeljezi Festival Band highlights the traditional music of Balkan Roma as well as contemporary innovations. The Festival Band featuresstarclarinetist Ismail Lumanovski with Chris Bajmakovic, Hristina Ilioska, Benji Rifati, Rumen Sali Shopov and Janie Cowan. The opening evening set features local favorites, Ensemble Meraklii.
Full Schedule
1:00 – 2:15 PM: Drum Workshop with Rumen Sali Shopov and 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 begins with an opening set by Balkan Ensemble Meraklii 9:30 – midnight: Herdeljezi Festival Band featuring Ismail Lumanovski
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 adv All workshop pass – general: $65/$60 adv All workshop pass – student: $55 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 Zellerbach Family Foundation Community Arts, Berkeley Civic Arts and the National Arts Relief Fund. Graphic design by Jenette Sellin, 2026. Co-produced by Peter Bonos.
Voice of Roma is a California based NGO that promotes the rich cultural heritage of Roma dating back a thousand years, through festivals, workshops, performances and educational presentations. VOR works to heighten awareness of human rights issues faced by Roma in today’s world, and to support efforts by Roma to build and maintain their communities, and to improve their lives. In its 27-year history, VOR has supported many educational programs about Roma as well as several national tours of esteemed artists, such as the final American tour of superstar vocalist Esma Redžepova. See voiceofroma.com.
Ismail Lumanovski (clarinet) is an international star, known for his mastery of both Western Classical and Balkan/Romani/Turkish music plus his dazzling improvisational skills. He regularly tours nationally with the Gypsy All-Stars and The Secret Trio and has recorded several albums with them. Born in Bitola North Macedonia in a Turkish-speaking Romani musical family, he began studying clarinet at the age of eight, attended Interlochen Art Academy and received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Julliard School of Music. He plays regularly for Macedonian, Turkish, and Romani celebrations in the NYC region, where he lives. His successful classical career includes performing with top international symphony orchestras and winning numerous clarinet competitions around the world. Ismail has also performed and taught for the EEFC Balkan Music Camps, VOR International Roma Day 2009 and Inspector Gadje.
Balkan Ensemble Merkalii & Rumen Sali Shopov pick you up and spin you around with their energetic Balkan and Romani dance tunes! Featured band members at this performance include Rumen Sali Shopov – Tambura, Vocals, Ivan Velev – Tupan, Daniel Goldberg – Saxophone, David Solnit – Clarinet, Sharon Grodin – Accordion, Mike Margulies – Trumpet, Janie Cowan – Bass
The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough presents Istanbul Connection Saturday, March 21 Doors open at 7:30pm; Show starts at 8:30 pm Tickets: $20 general/$15 students
The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
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 Joey Friedman – Sax Danny Cao – Trumpet Sean Tergis – Darbuka Melissa Cruz – Drums, Flamenco Dance
The month of February brings us an extra special birthday bacchanal in celebration of our very own producer and trumpeter, Peter Bonos.
Ilya Shneyveys Klezmer Supergroup and Dance Party with Sarah Myerson (8-9:30 pm) Duygu and Friends + a Bonos Birthday Afterparty with special guests TBA. (10 pm til 1)
Show: 8 pm; Doors: 7 pm. $20 General; $15 Students All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm when kitchen closes. Food, beer and wine available from the bar. Facebook Event Link.
We welcome our VIP guests of the event, accordionist from NYC (originally from Latvia) Ilya Shneyveys and Sarah Myerson (dance leading). This new group will be co-led by Mike Perlmutter (clarinet and sax) and special guest Michelle Alany (voice and violin), plus Ivan Velev on tapan drum and Christopher Bastian on bass.
Next up, Duygu and Friends be taking the stage with Duygu Gün (voice and guitar), Peter Bonos (oud and trumpet), Faisal Zedan (darbuka, riq and bendir) and Zina Pozen (accordion) joined by new friends Daniel Goldberg (sax) and Evin Sellin (violin). Get ready for a fun set of Turkish music followed by a rockin’ afterparty with special guests TBA.
All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10 pm when kitchen closes. Food, beer and wine available from the bar.
Manolis Bobolakis is from the village of Sempronas in the Hania region of Crete. Like most mountainous villages on the island it is mostly an agricultural area, and full of farm animals, olive trees, and chestnuts. Along with helping his family with the farm animals and chestnut trees, he has been playing traditional Cretan violin from a very young age. He has played countless cultural events and also has a studio album to his name.
Vaggelis Bagourakis plays the laouto and is the son of lyra player Tassos Bagourakis from Heraklion, Crete. From an early age his entire life revolved around traditional Cretan music. With his father as his teacher Vaggeli progressed very quickly, and he would frequently join in with his father’s band at various events. Coming from a musical family has led Vaggeli to currently being one of the youngest and most talented up and comers in the modern scene of Cretan music.
While playing together on and off for many years Manoli and Vaggeli have built a great chemistry. They each bring unique traits from their respective areas and together they have a wonderful representation of traditional Cretan music from all over the island.
Dance lesson led by Achilleas Fourakis, co-director of the Minoan Dancers Greek folklore dance ensemble, a ministry of the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Novato.
Ezgija (8 pm) is Santa Cruz’s newest balkan band, serving up our favorite dance tunes from the Balkans, Anatolia, and beyond! With Shireen Nabatian’s sweet vintage vocals and soaring violin, we explore themes of love, loss, and celebration—presenting forgotten gems from the archives alongside fresh material from her yearly travels in Türkiye. Hossein Shoiaee adds unexpected twists and textures that keep things electric and genre-bending on guitar. And Evan Stuart holds it all together on bass, with warmth and heart at the core of every tune. Whether it’s a smoky love ballad, a rowdy wedding song, or a mournful lament, EZGIJA brings the spirit of these traditions to dance floors around the Bay Area and beyond with joy, soul, and a lot of sass.
January 17, 8:30 pm: Dan Cantrell and Friends + Dodona Saturday, February 7, 8 pm: Cretan Night + Ezgija Friday, Feb. 20, 8 pm: Dugyu and Friends + Ilya Schneyveys and Friends (Bonos Birthday Bash) Saturday, March 21, 8:30 pm: Istanbul Connection
All shows at The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough presents Dan Cantrell and Friends (10:30 pm) Dodona (8:30 pm). The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
$20 general/$15 students. All ages before 10 pm. 21+ after 10pm. Doors open at 7:30pm Beer, wine and food available from the bar. Kitchen closes at 10pm.
Dan Cantrell (accordion and voice) is now slotted to bring his new supergroup fresh off of their hot NYE performance at Ashkenaz for an epic headlining set with a dream team of powerhouse Balkan musicians including Lila Sklar (violin) Calvin Lai (clarinet), Greg Jenkins (sax), Jesse Hix (bass), Sean Tergis (drums), and more TBA.
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Dan Cantrell is an Emmy award winning composer known for his innovative and evocative film and theatre scoring approach, as well as his virtuosic playing abilities on the accordion, piano and musical saw. He holds a BFA degree from CalArts where he majored in Composition and Piano performance. Dan is a self taught master of the accordion, excelling at Balkan, Romani, Eastern European, and Klezmer styles. Dan has performed and recorded with Kugelplex, Inspector Gadje, Tom Waits, Joanna Newsom, Beats Antique, Bono, Danny Elfman, members of the Klezmatics and Fishbone. Dan’s broad ranging musical portfolio, including compositions for video games, cartoons, film, television, web broadcast, and self produced albums can be heard at www.bellowhead.com
Dodona: Drawing from the deep well of musical traditions from Albania and the Epirus region of Greece, Dodona moves between the mournful to the celebratory. The members of this new group have a specific goal, to bring out their love for the melodies of this small region. With a repertoire that goes from plaintive, to trance inducing, to driving, Dodona is one of the few groups in the Bay Area specifically focused on the Albanian and Epirus diaspora. So whether you love a good tsamiko, or the familiarity of a syrtos, or even if you just love to dance with wild abandon this unique band is sure to deliver. Dodona’s members are Calvin Lai on clarinet, vocalist Genevieve Daphne, violinist Ari Langer, Jenette Selin on accordion, Kent Kessinger on guitar and Sean Tergis on drums plus Greg Jenkins on clarinet and vocals (pending confirmation).
Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal 