Balkan Music Night is the premier local event celebrating the music and dance traditions of southeastern Europe, renowned for their distinctive vocal harmonies and compelling rhythmic energy. Join us for a fun-filled night of participatory dancing, music appreciation, and community!

Balkan Music Night brings together bands whose members include master musicians who emigrated from the Balkan countries, as well as American-born musicians who have embraced these traditions. These ensembles perform songs and dance tunes on a mix of modern and traditional instruments, drawing from the rich cultural heritage from across the region, including Bosnia, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and beyond!

More than a dozen different ensembles will play for dancing and listening, including: Zlatne Uste, New York’s premier Balkan Brass band, playing music from Romany (Gypsy), Serbian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian traditions; Kavala Brass Band, specializing in the rich brass musical repertoire of northern Greece and Macedonia; Niva, an all-woman band playing and singing Macedonian roots music; Lubomir Smilenov, playing traditional dance music on the Bulgarian bagpipes and gadulka; and local favorite REVMA, featuring Sandy Theodorou, playing music for traditional Greek dances.

The Armory’s Rooted Café will be transformed into a Balkan Kafana, offering a relaxed, listening space with concert-style seating, separate from the Dance Hall. Performers in the Kafana include: virtuoso Beth Bahia Cohen playing traditional Turkish music; Hinterlands, a dynamic duo performing Balkan and Romani music; members of the Yale Slavic Chorus, performing vocal music from across the Balkans; Iveria, a men’s ensemble singing Georgian folk and liturgical music; and more!

Arrive early for walkthroughs of simple dances in the Dance Hall, led by experienced dancers, with music supplied by Orkestar Banitsa. Stay late to enjoy the entire program, including dance performances from area dance troupes Ludo Mlado (Bulgarian), and the Boston Lykeion Ellinidon (Greek); and our traditional participatory events such as the Hora na pesen (dancing to group singing), and Ličko kolo.

Food and drink will be available throughout the evening, with complimentary snacks and beverages served on the mezzanine, and more substantial food and a full bar open in the Dance Hall.