Doors at 7:30 pm / Show at 8:00 pm - 3:00 am
Tickets are $25 Advance / $30 Day of Show
A Limited Number of Super Early Bird Tickets Discounted at $20 - These tickets will sell out fast, so buy now!
Ring in 2020 with FANFARE ZAMBALETA - a 10 piece Balkan brass band specializing in high spirits music of the Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek and Balkan Romani people. Fanfare Zambaleta means crazy street party-- with brass! Getting their start in 2012 as an offshoot of the Zambaleta Music and Dance school in SF, this band has been rocking clubs, weddings, and dance halls throughout the west coast ever since! Combining a love of the classic brass bands of the past with the modern sounds coming out of the Balkans, Fanfare Zambaleta brings an irresistible blend of old and new to get you dancing! They've learned from some of the greats including Demiran Ćerimović, Džambo Aguševi Orkestar and Nizo Alimov (of Kočani Orkestar) and are now also embarking on a new journey to write original tunes inspired by their deep love of the music. The band is directed by Gregory Masaki Jenkins (alto sax) and features Joey Friedman (alto sax), Peter Bonos, Max Miller-Loran and Andrew Snyder (trumpets), Rachel MacFarlane, Adam Waite and Claire Haas (baritone horns), Evan Stuart (sousaphone) and Ivan Velev (percussion). They released their debut EP in 2014 and will head into the studio again in early 2020.
ENSEMBLE MERAKLII means “the ones who love to party!” You bring the dance, the Meraklii will bring Balkan and Romani music! Directed by master performer Rumen Sali Shopov (vocals, tupan) Ensemble Meraklii features Litka Ilieva (vocals), David Solnit (clarinet), Mike Margulis (trumpet), Hector Bezanis (gaida), Sharon Grodin (accordion), and Evan Stuart (bass).
Unfortunately, TRUE LIFE TRIO has had to cancel their set due to personal circumstances.
We are excited to have FEE FEE PONCHO, a smokin’ Zydeco Band opening the show at 8pm! Headed up by the renowned Billy Wilson from Motor Dude Zydeco, this hot band will get the New Year’s Eve party started just right. The band features a few of the best known Cajun/Zydeco musicians in the Bay. Billy Wilson – Steel guitar (Motor Dude Zydeco, Zydeco/Cajun Allstars), Agi Ban – fiddle (Midnight Ramblers, Aux Cajunals), David Hymowitz - drums (California Cajun Orchestra, Zydeco/Cajun Allstars), Steven Strauss - bass (Carriere’s Zydeco/Cajun Allstars). Let the good times roll!
New Year’s Eve at Ashkenaz is traditionally a night of Balkan music and dance hosted by Edessa, in honor of the late Ashkenaz founder David Nadel and the music he first featured at his world dance club. It has been known to go into the wee hours. Edessa will not be performing this year, as they will be in residence at a dance camp in Germany, however, George and Lise have been working behind the scenes to arrange this year's event.
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center presents concerts, classes, and workshops of participatory dance and music rooted in traditional cultures from around the world. We are committed to providing a great place to dance that supports local and international bands of both established and emerging artists in a respectful, comfortable, safe, family atmosphere. Through this we build friendship and culturally inclusive community that encourages social awareness, education, and dedication to fairness, honor, and equality.
