Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center

Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, or just “Ashkenaz,” is a 50-year-old music venue and dance hall in the heart of West Berkeley. The venue holds decades of stories of community members — composed of dancers, musicians, audience members, volunteers, and staff, both past and present — who have found themselves drawn to this unique building and the music that lives within.

When you enter Ashkenaz, you will find yourself on 1500sq ft of wooden dance floor of the main hall, where we have hosted dances and performances from numerous cultures from across the globe. As you wait in line, you will notice our unusual Cafe, custom-built by the founder of Ashkenaz, David Nadel, and his friends. If you look up, you will also see custom-built stained glass throughout the main hall and through the rest of the building.

The mission of Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center is to build community and understanding of the world’s cultures by presenting concerts and classes in participatory dance and music rooted in traditional cultures from around the world.

Ashkenaz is committed to supporting both established and emerging local, regional, national and international artists in a respectful, comfortable, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Ashkenaz is an internationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit music and culture venue that specializes in presenting live world and roots music.

People of all ages, cultures, and lifestyles come together here for music and dance programs that include African, Balkan, Brazilian, Cajun/Zydeco, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Reggae, and American roots from Bluegrass to Swing, and more. Ashkenaz presents nightly live music, dance, and movement classes, workshops, programs for children, and benefit shows.  Official Website

The Piano Connection

In descending chronological order