Article Contributed by Mike
Published on 2026-05-27
Eric Thompson & Dead Roots Revival
Ashkenaz in Berkeley continues its long-running tradition of live music, dance, and community gathering with a busy stretch of late May and June programming, including several Grateful Dead-focused nights, roots music, Zydeco, world music, Flamenco, Tango, comedy, storytelling, and more.
For Deadheads, the calendar starts strong on Wednesday, May 27, with Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz featuring Stu Allen & Mars Hotel. The band returns again on Wednesday, June 17, keeping the venue’s Wednesday Dead tradition alive with another night of Grateful Dead music.
The Dead thread continues on Wednesday, June 3, when the Joe Marcinek Band brings a strong lineup featuring Mark Karan, Mookie Siegel, Anna Elva, and Angeline Saris for another Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz. On Friday, June 12, Eric Thompson & Dead Roots Revival take the stage, featuring Sam Reider, Corbin Pagter, Keith Terry, Paul Kotapish, Mark Schatz, and Suzy Thompson for a Grateful Dead/Rock night rooted in acoustic firepower and classic Bay Area musical crosscurrents.
Another highlight for the old-school folk and rock crowd arrives Sunday, June 14, with a Bob Dylan after-party featuring Chip Godwin’s Long Time Curse playing an acoustic and electric Dylan set, with a few friends sitting in. The late show is presented by Shelby Ash and starts at 10 p.m.
The Bay Area’s longest-running Grateful Dead tribute band, The China Cats, lands at Ashkenaz on Wednesday, June 24, featuring Matt Hartle, Scott Cooper, Steve Sofranko, Roger Sideman, and Michael Owens. Dead Roses will also perform for Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz on Wednesday, July 1.
Beyond the Dead-related nights, Ashkenaz’s calendar reflects the venue’s broader mission as a nonprofit live music and dance space. Upcoming listings include Cajun and Zydeco nights with Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band, Iko Ya Ya, and The Back Dimples; world music from Quattro with Paper Kayak, Khalifa do Accordion, AfroFest, Zaghareet, and Trikaya; plus Balkan folk dance, Tango, Flamenco, comedy and storytelling from Mortified, and a free Ashkenaz Open House on Sunday, June 7.
Established in 1973, Ashkenaz remains a Berkeley institution, hosting local and international artists while keeping its shows all ages. The venue is located at 1317 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley, CA. Ashkenaz’s café opens when doors open, typically 30 minutes before showtime, with drinks, snacks, and light vegetarian meals available.
Wednesday, May 27
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel
8 p.m. | $30 advance / $35 door / $20 students with ID at door
Wednesday, June 3
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Joe Marcinek Band featuring Mark Karan, Mookie Siegel, Anna Elva & Angeline Saris
8 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at door
Friday, June 12
Eric Thompson & Dead Roots Revival featuring Sam Reider, Corbin Pagter, Keith Terry, Paul Kotapish, Mark Schatz, and Suzy Thompson
8 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at door
Sunday, June 14
Bob Dylan After-Party featuring Chip Godwin’s Long Time Curse
10 p.m. | $15 advance / $20 door / $10 students with ID at door
Wednesday, June 17
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel
8 p.m. | $30 advance / $35 door / $20 students with ID at door
Wednesday, June 24
The China Cats featuring Matt Hartle, Scott Cooper, Steve Sofranko, Roger Sideman, and Michael Owens
8 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at door
Wednesday, July 1
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Dead Roses
7:30 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students with ID at door
Additional Ashkenaz Listings
Thursday, May 28
Tom Rigney & Flambeau
Cajun/Zydeco
7:30 p.m. beginner-friendly dance lesson | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Friday, May 29
Quattro with Paper Kayak
World Music Fusion / Reggae
8 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Saturday, May 30
Khalifa do Accordion
Brazilian / World Music
8 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $10 students
Friday, June 5
Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band
7:30 p.m. beginner-friendly dance lesson | 8 p.m. show
$20 advance / $25 door / $10 students
Saturday, June 6
AfroFest featuring live African music, traditional drumming, cultural dance, fashion, food, and vendors
8 p.m. | $30 one ticket / $50 two tickets
Sunday, June 7
Ashkenaz Open House
12 p.m. | Free / No cover
Wednesday, June 10
2nd Wednesday Balkan Folk Dance
7 p.m. lesson | 7:30 p.m. social dancing
$10 advance
Thursday, June 11
Iko Ya Ya
Cajun/Zydeco Swamp n’ Roll
7:30 p.m. beginner-friendly dance lesson | 8 p.m. show
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Saturday, June 13
Mortified presents MORTI-PRIDE! Our all-LGBTQ+ Show
Comedy / Storytelling
8 p.m. | $25 advance / $35 door / $25 students
Thursday, June 18
Third Thursday Tango with Sascha Jacobsen & Friends
7:30 p.m. beginner-friendly tango dance lesson
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Friday, June 19
Tablao Flamenco with Marina Elana, Melissa Cruz, Fanny Ara, Jesse Torre, Marlon Aldana, and Cachito Diaz
8 p.m. | $25 advance / $30 door / $20 students
Saturday, June 20
Zaghareet: Wedding Songs of the Arab World with Aswat Women’s Ensemble, Salma El Assal & Nicole Maria
8 p.m. | $25 advance / $30 door / $15 students
Thursday, June 25
The Back Dimples
Cajun/Zydeco
7 p.m. beginner-friendly dance lesson | 7:30 p.m. show
$20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Saturday, June 27
Trikaya
Indian & African Folk Music
8 p.m. | $20 advance / $25 door / $15 students
Ashkenaz
1317 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
www.ashkenaz.com
