Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-10-19
The Grateful Dead songbook, roots music and a dance floor open to all ages anchor the fall calendar at Ashkenaz in Berkeley. Upcoming highlights include Weir Forever’s celebration of Bobby Weir, two appearances by Stu Allen, the Whippoorwill Arts Bay Area Roots Fest, and a night of psychedelic cumbia with Bicicletas Por La Paz, Whiskerman and Qvaro.
On October 21, Weir Forever celebrates Bobby Weir, with an opening acoustic set of Bob Dylan songs from Pat Nevins & Jay Wilcox. Grateful Dead Night continues with Stu Allen on October 28, followed by Stu Allen & Mars Hotel on November 4.
The Whippoorwill Arts Bay Area Roots Fest gets an early start at 5:30 p.m. on October 24, bringing together Creole Belles, Sampaguitas, Nell & Jim & Kalei, Black Banjo Reclamation Project and Sabor de mi Cuba. Bluegrass musicians can also join the Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam hosted by Jasper Manning on October 27, with jam sessions surrounding a showcase performance.
Reggae fans can catch Chalice and Prezident Brown, plus Donny Rasta & JAHBUDDA!, at “Reggae on Fire” on October 23. The following week brings Iko Ya Ya’s Halloween Party on October 29 and the fourth annual Lord of the Rings Square Dance on Halloween, with music by Denethor’s Supper and dances called by Evie Ladin and Robin Fischer.
November’s offerings range from Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser to Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band, The Qadim Ensemble and an evening of African drums and Afrobeat with Samba & Pope and DJ Bluffer. Below is the full supplied calendar through November 28.
Wednesday, October 21 — Weir Forever Celebrates Bobby Weir
8 p.m. — $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz, with an opening acoustic set of Bob Dylan songs by Pat Nevins & Jay Wilcox.
Thursday, October 22 — Cosmo Alleycats
8 p.m. — $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Jazz and swing from a San Francisco music-scene favorite since 2010.
Friday, October 23 — Reggae on Fire
8 p.m. — $30 advance / $35 door / $25 students
Reggae Town Productions presents Chalice and Prezident Brown, plus Donny Rasta & JAHBUDDA!
Saturday, October 24 — Whippoorwill Arts Bay Area Roots Fest
5:30 p.m. — $30 advance / $50 door / $20 students
Featuring Creole Belles, Sampaguitas, Nell & Jim & Kalei, Black Banjo Reclamation Project (BBRP) and Sabor de mi Cuba.
Sunday, October 25 — Balkan Jam
8 p.m. — Free
Balkan music, jamming and dancing, hosted by Marco Peris.
Tuesday, October 27 — Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam
Jam sessions: 7–8 p.m. and 9–11 p.m.
Showcase performance: 8–9 p.m.
$10–$15 sliding scale; free for students and musicians with a valid student ID and/or instrument.
Hosted by Jasper Manning. Please bring your own instrument rather than passing one between attendees.
Wednesday, October 28 — Grateful Dead Night With Stu Allen
8 p.m. — $30 advance / $35 door / $15 students
The supplied calendar lists Stu Allen & Mars Hotel; the linked event identifies Stu Allen & Reflections. Check the venue’s current calendar for the confirmed lineup.
Thursday, October 29 — Iko Ya Ya Halloween Party
8 p.m. — $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Cajun/zydeco “Swamp n’ Roll.”
Friday, October 30 — Sabor Tradicional Bachata Social
8 p.m. — $16 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Presented by Kathy Reyes, with DJ Ron. Traditional bachata lesson at 8 p.m. with guest instructors Bryon Stroud and Sammantha, directors of InEssence Dance Company.
Saturday, October 31 — Fourth Annual Lord of the Rings Square Dance
8 p.m. — $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Presented by Ashkenaz and Skillet Licorice, with music by Denethor’s Supper and dances called by Evie Ladin & Robin Fischer. Costumes, square dancing and live music; children welcome.
Wednesday, November 4 — Stu Allen & Mars Hotel
8 p.m. — $30 advance / $35 door / $20 students
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz.
Thursday, November 5 — Bachata Nightz
8 p.m. — $16 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Kathy Reyes presents a class and social dance party, featuring DJ Ron. Beginner-friendly bachata lesson with Kathy Reyes and Xavier Stefano at 8 p.m.
Friday, November 6 — Alasdair Fraser
8 p.m. — $30 advance / $35 door / $20 students
An evening with the world-renowned Scottish fiddler.
Saturday, November 7 — Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band
7:30 p.m. — $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Beginner-friendly dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. The band was named Best Zydeco Band by the Bay Area Blues Society in 2007.
Wednesday, November 11 — Second Wednesday Balkan Folk Dancing
7 p.m. — $10
Balkan dance lesson at 7 p.m.; folk dancing from 7:30–10 p.m. An Ashkenaz tradition since 1973.
Thursday, November 12 — The Qadim Ensemble: Ladino Album Release Concert
8 p.m. — $28 advance
A tribute to the wisdom and traditions of women of the Sephardic Diaspora.
Friday, November 13 — Bicicletas Por La Paz, With Whiskerman and Qvaro
8 p.m. — $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Folkloric cumbia featuring Oakland psychedelic cumbia band Bicicletas Por La Paz.
Saturday, November 14 — Mortified
7:30 p.m. — $25 advance / $35 door / $25 students
A Bay Area comedy and storytelling event.
Saturday, November 28 — Samba & Pope, With DJ Bluffer
8 p.m. — $25 advance / $30 door / $20 students
A night of African drums featuring Samba Guisse and Pope Flyne, followed by an Afrobeat party with DJ Bluffer.
Student prices are available at the door only with valid student ID, except where otherwise noted.
About Ashkenaz
Established in 1973, Ashkenaz is a nonprofit live music venue and dance space dedicated to hosting a diverse lineup of local and international performing artists. Its café opens when doors open and offers draft and bottled beer, wine, kombucha, juices, sodas, coffee, tea, snacks and light meals that are vegetarian and mostly organic.
Venue Information
Ashkenaz
1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702
510-525-5099
Always all ages
Doors generally open 30 minutes before showtime.
Current calendar and admission information: ashkenaz.com
Contact: ashkenaz@ashkenaz.com
Follow Ashkenaz on Instagram and Facebook.
Two details to confirm before publishing: October 28 is a **Wednesday**, and its lineup differs between the supplied text and event URL. The October 30 bachata listing also links to an October 23 URL; I retained October 30 from the calendar.
