Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on November 4, 2025
Ashkenaz, located at 1317 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley, continues its long-running tradition as a non-profit, all-ages home for live music and dancing with a packed November and early December calendar. Established in 1973, the community-centered venue offers a welcoming café with beer, wine, kombucha, coffee, tea, snacks, and light vegetarian, mostly organic meals, opening 30 minutes before show time for each event.
Deadheads and Bay Area jam fans have plenty to circle on the calendar. Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz returns on Friday, November 14 with Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, bringing classic Dead energy to the dance floor. On Wednesday, November 19, the Alamo Mission Band leans into Jerry Garcia Band, Americana, roots, rock, and jam flavors. The spirit of The Band’s “Last Waltz” and the Dead scene converges on Wednesday, November 26 for Anna’s 2nd Annual Grateful Waltz, featuring Mark Karan, Matt Hartle, Scott Guberman, Danny Eisenberg, Anna Elva, Joe Craven, Hattie Craven, Melody Walker, Jacob Groopman, and more. December is loaded with more Dead-heavy nights: Wednesday, December 3 brings Jenerator featuring Mookie Siegel and Joe Craven for another Grateful Dead Night, followed by a three-night run with Stu Allen & Mars Hotel on December 10, 11, and 12, each billed as Grateful Dead Night at Ashkenaz and sure to keep Bay Area Dead culture thriving.
Beyond the Dead-related shows, Ashkenaz continues to serve as a true global and roots-music hub. The month kicks off Thursday, November 6 with Bachata Nightz, a first-Thursday class and social dance party with DJ Ron and a beginner-friendly bachata lesson. Friday, November 7 features Cantadora & The Hot Clams with the Iavnana Georgian Ensemble performing traditional polyphonic music from the Republic of Georgia. Saturday and Sunday, November 8–9 host Dare to be Square West, two days of square-dance workshops and big evening dances with callers Sue Hulsether and Tony Mates and bands Stumptown Stringband and Echo Mountain. On Wednesday, November 12, the long-running Wednesday Balkan Dance offers Balkan folkdancing with a lesson led by Nadav Nur and Susie Shoaf, while Thursday, November 13 brings Oakland-based zydeco crew The Back Dimples.
The diversity continues later in the month with Honky Tonk Night on Saturday, November 15, featuring The Dogweeds and a beginner-friendly country two-step lesson, followed by traditional Cajun and zydeco grooves from Jimmy Breaux & Friends on Sunday, November 16, complete with a dance lesson. Thursday, November 20 delivers Third Thursday Tango with Trio Tangazo, while Friday, November 21 offers Afro-Brazilian, samba, and funk sounds from SambaDá. On Sunday, November 23, Balkan Sundays returns with a Balkan dance workshop and jam session, and Tuesday, November 25 hosts the third installment of the Berkeley Bluegrass Barn Jam, a free bluegrass and jam gathering. Saturday, November 29 spotlights roots favorite Laurie Lewis with an Annual Thanksgiving Concert of Gratitude, weaving singer-songwriter, bluegrass, country, and folk into one special evening.
December continues that global dance and roots spirit alongside the Dead-centric shows. Friday, December 5 features Gamelan Sekar Jaya performing two distinct styles of Balinese gamelan in separate early and late shows. Saturday, December 6 welcomes Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band, the “Delta King” himself, with a beginner-friendly Cajun/zydeco dance lesson, while Tuesday, December 9 showcases Aviva le Fey, celebrating the release of her sophomore album “The Fool” with a dream-folk, singer-songwriter set. The calendar wraps up Saturday, December 13 with a vibrant Latin Holiday Dance Party, Gaita y Guaracha, presented by Ashkenaz and Limoncello Productions, featuring Bululú performing live Venezuelan gaitas, a beginner-friendly dance lesson, and DJ Mike V keeping the floor moving late into the night.
