Article Contributed by Mike
Published on November 24, 2025
Berkeley’s beloved community hub Ashkenaz has long stood as one of the Bay Area’s most welcoming all-ages spaces for roots music, dance nights, and cultural celebration. And while the Grateful Dead–leaning shows always draw special love around here — especially with December stacked full of Dead tributes and extended Mars Hotel runs — the venue’s full late-November and December calendar is a rich tapestry of bluegrass, Latin dance, Balkan folk traditions, singer-songwriters, and global sounds.
Ashkenaz, established in 1973 and still operating as a nonprofit venue and dance center, remains a sanctuary for live music fans who crave community as much as rhythm. The venue’s café opens 30 minutes before showtime with beer, wine, kombucha, sodas, coffee, tea, and organic vegetarian bites, making it an easy spot to settle into an evening of movement and music.
Listings are updated weekly, but here’s the latest full run of upcoming events — with plenty of Dead, plenty of jams, and a little something for every type of dancer, picker, or music-loving night owl.
Tuesday, November 25
Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam (Bluegrass/Jam – LIVE MUSIC)
6:30 pm – No Cover – More Information
Wednesday, November 26
Anna’s 2nd Annual Grateful Waltz featuring Mark Karan, Matt Hartle, Scott Guberman, Danny Eisenberg, Anna Elva, Joe Craven, Hattie Craven, Melody Walker, Jacob Groopman & more (Last Waltz/Grateful Dead – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Friday, November 28
Kathy Reyes presents Rico Fridays: Black Friday Party with DJ Ron & DJ Edwin (Latin/Salsa/Bachata/Merengue/Cumbia – DJ/DANCE)
8 pm – Salsa lesson at 8 pm – $16 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Saturday, November 29
Laurie Lewis (Singer/Songwriter/Bluegrass/Country/Folk – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $30 Advance / $35 Door / $20 Students – Tickets
Wednesday, December 3
Jenerator featuring Mookie Siegel & Joe Craven (Grateful Dead – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Thursday, December 4
Bachata Nightz Holiday Party with DJ Ron & DJ Aragon (LA) (Bachata/Latin/Dance – DJs)
8 pm – Bachata lesson at 8 pm – $16 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Friday, December 5
Gamelan Sekar Jaya (Balinese Gamelan Music & Dance – LIVE MUSIC)
Two shows: Gong Kebyar at 7 pm; Jegog at 9 pm
$20 Advance / $25 Door per show — or $30 Advance / $35 Door for both – Tickets
Saturday, December 6
Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band (Cajun/Zydeco – LIVE MUSIC)
7:30 pm – Zydeco dance lesson at 7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $10 Students – Tickets
Tuesday, December 9
Aviva le Fey (Singer/Songwriter, Dream Folk – LIVE MUSIC)
7 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Wednesday, December 10
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel (Grateful Dead – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $30 Advance / $35 Door / $20 Students – Tickets
Thursday, December 11
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel (Grateful Dead – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $30 Advance / $35 Door / $20 Students – Tickets
Friday, December 12
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel (Grateful Dead – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $35 Advance / $40 Door / $20 Students – Tickets
Saturday, December 13
Gaita y Guaracha featuring Bululú + DJ Mike V (Latin Venezuelan Gaitas – LIVE MUSIC)
7 pm – Gaita dance lesson at 7:15 pm – $35 Advance / $45 Door / $20 Students – Tickets
Wednesday, December 17
Wednesday Balkan Dance (Balkan – DANCE, recorded music)
7 pm – Balkan dance lesson at 7 pm – $10 Advance – Tickets
Thursday, December 18
Tom Rigney & Flambeau (Cajun/Zydeco – LIVE MUSIC)
7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Saturday, December 20
Mitch Polzak (Country/Two-Step – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – Country Two-Step lesson at 8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Tuesday, December 23
Hall of Fans Benefit for Tom Constanten featuring Scott Guberman, Mark Karan, Prairie Prince, John Paul Mclean, Anna Evla, Sam Whitman & more (Grateful Dead – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $80 VIP / $30 Advance / $35 Door – Tickets
Wednesday, December 24
Nittel Nakht Variety Show – Borscht Bay (Variety/Live Music/Comedy/Burlesque)
7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Saturday, December 27
Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums featuring Miss Carmen Getit (Swing/Jump Blues – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – Dance lesson at 8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students – Tickets
Tuesday, December 30
Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam (Bluegrass/Jam – LIVE MUSIC)
6:30 pm – No Cover – More Information
Wednesday, December 31
Balkan New Year’s Eve with True Life Trio, Fanfare Zambaleta & Dan Cantell & Friends (Balkan – LIVE MUSIC)
8 pm – $35 Advance / $40 Door – Tickets
For the latest updates, visit Ashkenaz or follow on Instagram and Facebook. All events are all-ages, all year long.
