Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on October 27, 2025
A cornerstone of Bay Area music and culture since 1973, Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center continues to thrive as a nonprofit home for roots, world, and jam-based music that brings all walks of life together. Located at 1317 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, this beloved all-ages venue offers a vibrant mix of live bands, dance nights, and cultural celebrations, making it a haven for Deadheads, folk fans, world music lovers, and dancers alike.
October and November are packed with shows that capture Ashkenaz’s spirit of community and rhythm. Grateful Dead fans can rejoice with multiple tributes, including Love Mischief’s Almost Dead on Oct. 22 and Zach Nugent’s JG3 with Sunshine Garcia Becker and Cheryl Rucker on Oct. 23, celebrating the spirit of Jerry Garcia. Later in the month, Stu Allen & Reflections honors Jerry Garcia Band Month on Oct. 29, followed by a truly special 14th Anniversary of Grateful Dead Nights at Ashkenaz featuring Stu Allen & Mars Hotel (Show #400!) on Nov. 2 — a milestone event coinciding with Day of the Dead. The month wraps with Anna’s 2nd Annual Grateful Waltz on Nov. 26, a star-studded jam featuring Mark Karan, Matt Hartle, Scott Guberman, Joe Craven, Melody Walker, and more of the extended Dead family.
Beyond the Dead, Ashkenaz celebrates diversity and dance with a full global lineup: Bulgarika brings authentic Balkan sounds (Oct. 21), while the annual Felabration (Oct. 25) honors Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat legacy with Soji & the Afrobeat Band. Latin lovers can heat up the floor at RICO Fridays (Oct. 24) or the spooky Salsaween bash (Oct. 30), while zydeco fans can get their groove on with Iko Ya Ya (Oct. 31) and Jimmy Breaux & Friends (Nov. 16). Bluegrass and roots music shine through The Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam (Oct. 28 and Nov. 25), Laurie Lewis’s Thanksgiving Concert of Gratitude (Nov. 29), and honky-tonk favorites Mitch Polzak & Friends with The Dogweeds (Nov. 15).
For dancers, Ashkenaz offers Bachata Nightz, Third Thursday Tango with Trio Tangazo, and the uniquely whimsical Lord of the Rings Square Dance on Nov. 1, where costumes, Gandalf, and old-time fiddle meet in a night of Middle-Earth revelry.
The venue’s long-standing tradition of fostering inclusion continues through its Balkan Sundays, open jams, and workshops, ensuring that musicians and dancers of all skill levels can participate.
Ashkenaz isn’t just a venue — it’s a cultural crossroads where the spirit of Jerry, Fela, Django, and the Bay itself converge. Whether you come for the jams, the global grooves, or to simply dance your worries away, Ashkenaz promises another unforgettable season of music and community.
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center
📍 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702
📞 (510) 525-5099 | Always All Ages
🌐 ashkenaz.com
📧 ashkenaz@ashkenaz.com
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