Name: 2025 Boulder Balkan Bash
Start: 2025-11-22T17:00:00-07:00
Location: Avalon Ballroom

BALKAN MUSIC FROM SIX LOCAL BANDS + DANCING, FOOD, AND COMMUNITY!
The Boulder Balkan Bash is an epic, all-evening event at the Avalon Ballroom that combines live traditional music from SIX local bands specializing in Balkan styes with dancing, food and a fabulous feeling of community. Local folk dance group Gaitani will perform two short sets of Bulgarian dances. Dozens of musicians will perform live music for dancing in genres ranging from village-style Bulgarian and Macedonian to scintillating Serbian and Romani brass band, from exuberant vocals on Croatian and Romanian tunes to Greek taverna-style music and Turkish rhythms.
Many of the dances are done in a line and are easy to learn. Not a dancer? Not a problem; the Avalon ballroom has plenty of room to sit, watch and listen. Grab a table with friends and enjoy the evening!
FOOD
In Eastern Europe, live music and dancing are always accompanied by food . . . and with six hours of dancing, we will need refueling! So roll up your sleeves, make a great dish to contribute to the hors d’oeuvres and dessert potluck and come celebrate! All guests and performers are kindly asked to bring a dish to share. Don’t know what to bring or don’t like to cook? Contact Mary Ann at [email protected] for ideas. Bottles of wine will be available in exchange for a donation.
PROGRAM
The dance music program will feature tunes from Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, and Roma (Gypsy) traditions.

DANCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!
There will be plenty of dances you can easily follow without knowing them beforehand, but if you’d like to dig a little deeper, folk dancer Biz Hertzberg will be teaching dances specifically from the Bash program for the next two weeks at Boulder International Folk Dancers’ regular Friday dances. Sodal Hall at the Avalon, Friday Nov. 14 and 21. Easy beginner dances from 6:30 to 7:30, and then slightly more advanced dances 7:30-8:30, mostly village style, without a lot of choreography to remember. All lessons free (except BIFD members should pay as usual).

THE PERFORMERS
The bands are: Barbelfish Balkan Band, The Bitovniks, Gora Gora Orkestar, Mishmish, Planina and Sherefe. The performing dance group Gajtani will present short demonstrations of Bulgarian dances. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES on the performance sequence!
Doors open at 4:30 pm. Live music starts at 5 pm. After the last band's performance, all musicians who are still standing will return to play and sing a few numbers together for the final dances. Everyone is welcome to sing along, with lyrics provided.
SMALL CHILDREN
Please be responsible for any small children attending with you. Children are welcome to dance, partake of the potluck and participate in the event. We need your help in assuring that they refrain from running in the building, crossing the dance floor during dances, and disrupting the activities of the other guests. It’s a good idea to bring something for them to do when they’re not dancing. Please make sure your youngsters are safe and under your guidance at all times.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
If you’d like to exchange a couple of hours of work for free admission, we have a number of volunteer work-exchange positions, such as shifts doing setup, tear-down, box office, kitchen/potluck, and more. Please contact Mary Ann Saussotte, 720-936-5055 or [email protected] to volunteer.
JOIN US!
Join us in celebrating Eastern European traditions of live music, dancing, and food. This is one of Boulder’s most exciting music and dance events and, for Balkan music and dance aficionados, THE event of the year — and it doesn’t happen every year! Your buying tickets in advance really helps us plan. Hope to see you there!
TICKETS
Adult - $30 advance, $40 at the door
Students over 12 - $20 advance, $30 at the door
Children 6-12 - $15
Children under 6 - Free