Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-07-13
Ashkenaz in Berkeley is keeping the Grateful Dead spirit alive this summer with a series of Wednesday night celebrations, alongside a wide-ranging schedule of live music, dance and community events.
The venue’s upcoming Dead-related calendar begins July 15 with Anna Elva & Friends featuring Reed Mathis, followed by Stu Allen & Mars Hotel on July 22 and Matt Lazarus & Friends on July 29. On August 14, Kanekoa, known as “The Hawaiian Grateful Dead,” brings its island-rooted take on the Dead’s music to Ashkenaz.
The Dead-focused shows are part of a broader summer lineup that also includes Ukrainian folk, tango, Cajun and Zydeco, Cuban music, reggae, Afrobeat, bluegrass, Latin rock, funk, comedy, big band music and more.
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. 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
Tuesday, July 14
YAGODY
Ukrainian Folk
8 pm – $30 Advance / $35 Door / $20 Students with ID
Wednesday, July 15
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Anna Elva & Friends, featuring Reed Mathis
Grateful Dead
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Thursday, July 16
Third Thursday Tango with Sascha Jacobsen & Friends, featuring a lively tango performance and a captivating DJ set, with performers TBA
Tango/Milonga
7:30 pm – Beginner-friendly tango dance lesson at 7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Friday, July 17
T Marie & Bayou Juju
Cajun/Zydeco
8 pm – Beginner-friendly Zydeco dance lesson at 7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $10 Students with ID
Saturday, July 18
Havana Night with Los Boleros, featuring Felix Samuel and Zareen on vocals
Cuban
8 pm – Beginner-friendly dance lesson by Rebecca Miller at 7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Wednesday, July 22
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Stu Allen & Mars Hotel
Grateful Dead
8 pm – $30 Advance / $35 Door / $20 Students with ID
Thursday, July 23
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
8 pm – $25 Advance / $30 Door / $20 Students with ID
Friday, July 24
Rico Fridays: Latin dance with DJ Ron, presented by Kathy Reyes
Latin/Salsa/Bachata/Timba
8 pm – Beginner-friendly salsa lesson with Kathy Reyes and Xavier at 8 pm – $16 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Saturday, July 25
Soji & the Afrobeat Band
Afrobeat/Highlife
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Tuesday, July 28
Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam, hosted by Spencer Krenz
Bluegrass/Jam
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
Wednesday, July 29
Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz
Matt Lazarus & Friends
Grateful Dead
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Friday, July 31
MOMOTOMBO-SF featuring original and former members of Malo & Santana
Latin Rock
8 pm – $25 Advance
Saturday, August 1
Mark St. Mary's Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band
Cajun/Zydeco
7:30 pm – Beginner-friendly dance lesson at 7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Wednesday, August 5
KOI
Funk/Soul/Blues
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Saturday, August 8
Mortified
Comedy/Storytelling
7:30 pm – $25 Advance / $35 Door / $25 Students with ID
Friday, August 14
Kanekoa
“The Hawaiian Grateful Dead”
8 pm – $30 Advance / $35 Door / $15 Students with ID
Saturday, August 15
Guajirón
Cuban Dance Music & Tropical Jazz
7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Friday, August 21
Morchestra
Big Band
8 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students with ID
Saturday, August 22
Bululú Album Release Party
Salsa/Merengue/Cumbia/Soca
7:30 pm – $20 Advance / $25 Door / $15 Students
Ashkenaz is located at 1317 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, California. All events are all ages.
For more information, visit www.ashkenaz.com.
