Berkeley’s beloved Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, a nonprofit cultural hub since 1973, continues its mission of bringing together diverse traditions, joyful dance, and live music for all ages. From Grateful Dead tributes and old-time jams to zydeco, reggae, Balkan rhythms, and hip hop, the fall calendar is stacked with sounds that speak to Berkeley’s communal spirit.

Grateful Dead Nights at Ashkenaz
Ashkenaz’s legendary Grateful Dead nights remain the heartbeat of its programming, drawing Deadheads from across the Bay to celebrate the music’s ever-living pulse. Highlights include:

• Anna Elva & Friends featuring Marcus Rezak — Tuesday, Sept. 16

• Spencer Krenz & Friends — Wednesday, Sept. 24

• Stu Allen & Mars Hotel — Wednesday, Oct. 1; Friday, Oct. 10; and Wednesday, Oct. 15

These gatherings channel the magic of the Dead’s improvisational spirit, making Ashkenaz one of the Bay Area’s most vital spaces for psychedelic celebration.

Balkan Rhythms, Cajun Roots & Zydeco Energy

• Weekly Balkan Dance Nights (Sept. 10, Oct. 8) keep the folk dance flame alive with community lessons and high-energy movement.

• Zydeco lovers can jump in with Motordude Zydeco (Sept. 11), Michael Doucet & Tom Rigney with Flambeau (Oct. 2), and Okie Weiss & the Zydeco Playboys (Oct. 9).

• The Berkeley Old Time Music Convention (BOTMC) returns Sept. 17–21 with welcome parties, square dances, song circles, and family jams, honoring traditional sounds with a Berkeley twist.

Soul, Blues, and Reggae Classics

• Silk and Soul (Sept. 12) brings powerhouse vocals and a 9-piece horn section for an old-school R&B revival.

• Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s (Sept. 19) light up the stage with boogie-woogie swing.

• Bay Area reggae pioneers Caribbean Allstars featuring Sweetfoot (Sept. 27) keep the roots and soca grooves alive.

Community and Youth Spotlights
Ashkenaz’s mission as a community center shines with events like the Albany Middle School Coffeehouse (Sept. 14), the Albany High School Coffeehouse (Sept. 18), and free jams such as the Balkan Jam Session (Sept. 28) and Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam (Sept. 30).

Global Beats and Special Celebrations

• Noche de Bachata (Sept. 26) honors instructor Kathy Reyes’ 15 years in the Latin dance community.

• KD the Poet headlines Oct. 17 with sharp bars and hip hop artistry.

Ashkenaz: Always All Ages
Located at 1317 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, Ashkenaz offers a family-friendly space where music, dance, and culture converge. The venue’s Café opens 30 minutes before showtime with vegetarian, mostly organic fare, along with beer, wine, kombucha, and coffee.

For tickets, event details, and weekly updates, visit www.ashkenaz.com. Follow Ashkenaz on Instagram and Facebook.