Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-07-04
Ashkenaz, the beloved non-profit live music venue and dance space in Berkeley, continues its summer calendar with a wide-ranging lineup of live music, dance, comedy, storytelling, and community gatherings through early August.
Established in 1973, Ashkenaz is dedicated to hosting a diverse lineup of local and international performing artists. The venue is located at 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702. For more information, call (510) 525-5099, visit www.ashkenaz.com, or contact ashkenaz@ashkenaz.com. Ashkenaz is always all ages.
Ashkenaz’s Café opens when doors open, 30 minutes before show time, and offers draft and bottled beer, wine, kombucha, juices, sodas, coffee, tea, snacks, and light meals that are vegetarian and mostly organic.
Upcoming events include:
Wednesday, July 8
An Ashkenaz tradition since 1973
2nd Wednesday Balkan Folk Dance
Balkan / Dance
7 pm – Balkan dance lesson at 7 pm by Nadav Nur and Susie Shoaf. Social dancing at 7:30 pm.
$10
Thursday, July 9
American Roots Music that unites influences from Louisiana Swamp Boogie, Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, and Reggae.
Bluesbox Bayou Band
American Roots Music / Live Music
7:30 pm – Beginner-friendly dance lesson at 7:30 pm.
$20 advance
Friday, July 10
Indian Classical and Jazz Percussion
Namaskar by Sameer Gupta, featuring Suhail Yusuf Khan on sarangi, Siddique Ahmed on rubab, Marcus Stephens on saxophone, raga samples, and effects, Prasant Radhakrishnan on Carnatic saxophone, Javier Navarette on percussion, and Kai Eckhardt on bass. Special guest kathak dancer Labonee Mohanta will also appear.
Indian Classical / Jazz / Live Music
7:30 pm
$25 advance / $30 door / $25 students with ID at the door only
Saturday, July 11
Re-imagining the music of the Grateful Dead in Afro-Pop styles
Afro Dead
Afro-Pop / Grateful Dead / Live Music
8 pm
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at the door only
Sunday, July 12
A Bay Area-based comedy and storytelling event
Mortified
Comedy / Storytelling
7 pm
$25 advance / $35 door / $25 students with ID at the door only
Tuesday, July 14
Ukrainian Folk Band
YAGODY
Ukrainian Folk / Live Music
8 pm
$30 advance / $35 door / $20 students with ID at the door only
Thursday, July 16
Ashkenaz’s monthly tango event
Third Thursday Tango with Sascha Jacobsen & Friends, featuring a lively tango performance and a captivating DJ set, with performers TBA
Tango / Milonga / Live Music
7:30 pm – Beginner-friendly tango dance lesson at 7:30 pm.
$20 advance / $25 door / $16 students with ID at the door only
Friday, July 17
Just announced
T Marie & Bayou Juju
Cajun / Zydeco / Live Music
8 pm – Beginner-friendly Zydeco dance lesson at 7:30 pm.
$20 advance / $25 door / $10 students with ID at the door only
Saturday, July 18
A night filled with vibrant rhythms of traditional Cuban Music
Havana Night with Los Boleros, featuring Felix Samuel and Zareen on vocals
Cuban / Live Music
8 pm – Beginner-friendly dance lesson by Rebecca Miller at 7:30 pm.
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at the door only
Wednesday, July 22
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel
Grateful Dead / Live Music
8 pm
$30 advance / $35 door / $20 students with ID at the door only
Thursday, July 23
Legendary reggae artists
The Itals, with Donny Rasta & JAHBUDDA!, Bobby Tenna and Anthony Garvey backed by The Legacy Band, DJ Sep and Emcee Elijah of Nice Up Radio
Reggae / Live Music
8 pm
$25 advance / $30 door / $20 students with ID at the door only
Friday, July 24
Join Ashkenaz for a night packed with the best of Salsa, Timba, Bachata all night long, and a high-energy dance floor.
Rico Fridays: Latin dance with DJ Ron, presented by Kathy Reyes
Latin / Salsa / Bachata / Timba / DJ / Dance
8 pm – Beginner-friendly salsa lesson with Kathy Reyes and Xavier at 8 pm.
$16 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at the door only
Saturday, July 25
Featuring the former guitarist for the legendary Fela Kuti
Soji & the Afrobeat Band
Afrobeat / Highlife / Live Music
8 pm
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at the door only
Tuesday, July 28
An evening of community music-making and lively jam sessions
Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam, hosted by Spencer Krenz
Bluegrass / Jam / Live Music
7 pm – Open stage jam 7–8 pm and 9–11 pm. House band: 8–9 pm.
Sliding scale from $10–$15 / free for students and musicians with valid student ID and/or instrument
Saturday, August 1
Dubbed the “Delta King” and awarded “Best Zydeco Band” in 2007 by the Bay Area Blues Society
Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band
Cajun / Zydeco / Live Music
7:30 pm – Beginner-friendly dance lesson at 7:30 pm.
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at the door only
Wednesday, August 5
Marin-based Funk, Soul & Blues band
KOI
Funk / Soul / Blues / Live Music
8 pm
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at the door only
For the latest updates, visit www.ashkenaz.com. Ashkenaz can also be found on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ashkenazberkeley and Facebook at www.facebook.com/AshkenazMusicDance.
