Balkan Wednesdays

04/28/2026

This Wednesday!

04/08/2026

Wednesday!

Macedonian Izvoren music with Niva
Wednesday April 8 Beautiful music and dancing:

- North Macedonian folk music with Niva
- Brief instruction for the dances
- Hosted by Belle Birchfield & Michael Ginsburg

7:15pm April 8, 2026
Doors open at 7pm
213 E 82nd St, NY, NY 10028

$20 admission
Info: 646-831-8720

Niva with:
Bridget Robbins - kaval (end-blown flute)
Helen Marx - tupan (percussion)
Kristina Vaskys - tambura (long necked lute) & vocals
Abi Tenenbaum - tambura & vocals
Ella Fine - tambura & vocals

What to bring:
- your dancing shoes
- water or drink container

Always check Facebook before you come to confirm our events—especially in case of poor weather!
Or else call us if you don’t have access to Facebook.
Info: 646-831-8720
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Balkan Wednesdays
Live Balkan music
A different band each week
Dance, learn Balkan dances, have fun and get some good exercise all at the same time.
Light snacks available

Wednesdays through May
7PM Doors open
7:15PM-9:15PM at 213 E 82nd St (up the iron stairway)
Near 3rd Ave

$20 per session

03/13/2026

This will be a very special event!

02/17/2026

Ah, tomorrow will be excellent!
Come dance!
Macedonian Izvoren music with Niva

01/28/2026

Come dance 💃🏼 🕺 tonight!
7pm on Wednesdays
Live Balkan music and dance instruction

Come learn the steps and dance 💃🏼 to live music at Balkan Wednesdays!
No dance Jan. 21
Bulgarian with Bitova Grupa Jan. 28
Souren: Armenian and more Wednesdays Feb. 4
Mountain Lions at Balkan Wednesdays Feb. 11
Macedonian Izvoren music with Niva Feb. 18

01/05/2026

This Wednesday get ready for the 2026 Zlatne Uste Golden Festival with a Balkan dance class Balkan Wednesdays!

Get your feet ready for the big event with this
pre festival dance class/party!

pre Golden Fest dance class 1 of 2
Live music by festival hosts Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band
7pm Wed. Jan 7

Michael Ginsburg will walk through dances likely to be danced at the Zlatne Uste Golden Festival. In addition to learning specific dances, participants will learn tools that will help them to join in dancing during the entire festival.

pre Golden Fest dance class 2 of 2
Live music by Sarma Brass Band
7pm Wed. Jan 14

Come to one, or come to both!
Light snacks available
All are welcome

And don’t miss *the* Balkan event of the year:
Join us!
40th Zlatne Uste Golden Festival
Music from the Balkans and Beyond
Friday
Golden Fest - Friday
Saturday
Golden Fest - Saturday

Be part of the team! Volunteer at Golden Fest!
email [email protected], or go to
https://goldenfest.org/volunteer/

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- Brief instruction for the dances
- Light snacks available
- Hosted by Michael Ginsburg
$20 admission
All are welcome

*Always* check Facebook before you come to confirm our events, particularly in the case of inclement weather. Or else call us if you don’t have access to Facebook. 646-831-8720

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Balkan Cafe Wednesdays is a live Balkan music venue where you can listen, dance, learn Balkan dances, have fun and get some good exercise all at the same time.

Near 3rd Ave
Free street parking opens up after 7 PM on the avenues
You can pay for time before that at some spots
$20 per session
Drop-ins are always welcome

Info: 646-831-8720

12/13/2025

Don’t miss!
Tickets 🎟️ available now for Zlatne Uste Golden Festival 2026 💖✨🎺
Direct 🔗 for tickets:
https://zlatneuste.yapsody.com/event/index/859929/Golden-Festival-2026

Yes! Tickets are now available for ! https://zlatneuste.yapsody.com/event/index/859929/Golden-Festival-2026

Join Us!
40th GOLDEN FESTIVAL
January 16-17, 2026
Come delight your ears and feet with music inspired by traditions of the Balkans and beyond!
Golden Fest - Friday
Golden Fest - Saturday

Illustration © Batja Bell 2025

10/31/2025

Bulgarika 2025 at Balkan Cafe is not to be missed! Friday Nov 14, 7pm doors open and delicious food including čevapi available by The Balkan Grind
Don’t be late! ⏰

09/13/2025

Check out the amazing Balkan music coming this fall!

7pm Wed. Sept. 17 Souren: Armenian and more Wednesdays
7pm Wed. Sept. 24 Macedonian Izvoren music with Niva
Oct. 1 - no dance
7pm Wed. Oct. 8 - Pontic w Dimitris Stefanidis & Jerry K
7pm Wed. Oct. 15 - Zlatne Uste at Balkan Wednesdays
7pm Wed. Oct. 22 - Matthew Schreiber & Friends Wednesdays
7pm Wed. Oct.29 - Bulgarian Bitov Band
7pm Wed. Nov. 5 - Mountain Lions at Balkan Wednesdays
7pm Wed. Nov. 12 - Pontic Firebird Wednesdays
7pm Friday Nov. 14 - Bulgarika 2025 at Balkan Cafe
7pm Wed. Nov. 19 - TBA
7pm Wed. Nov. 26 - No dance
7pm Wed. Dec. 3 - Bulgarian dancing with Lubo
7pm Wed. Dec. 10 - Jerry K & Friends Wednesdays

Update! Look who’s coming to !
Dance 💃🏼/ listen 🎵to live . A different band each week.

Wed. Sept. 10 Opening night with Bulgarika Band dance party
Wed. Sept. 17 Souren: Armenian and more Wednesdays
Wed. Sept. 24 Macedonian Izvoren music with Niva
Wed. Oct 1 No dance
Wed. Oct. 8 Pontic w Dimitris Stefanidis & Jerry K
Wed. Oct. 15 Zlatne Uste at Balkan Wednesdays
Wed. Oct. 22 Matthew Schreiber & Friends Wednesdays
Wed. Oct. 29 Bulgarian Bitov Band
Wed. Nov. 5 Mountain Lions at Balkan Wednesdays
Wed. Nov. 12 Pontic Firebird Wednesdays

05/18/2025

Come dance to Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band this Wednesday!

Funky, brassy, bold Balkan brass with Zlatne Uste!
7:15-9:15PM Wed. May 21 @ Balkan Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/events/642445525329276
Come dance to ZU at the last party of the season!
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Hosts and founders of the Zlatne Uste Golden Festival.
Zlatne Uste:
Michael Ginsburg - trumpet
Catherine Foster - trumpet
Sarah Ferholt - trumpet
Marian Eines - sax
Morgan Clark - baritone
Matt Smith - baritone
Dean Olsher - baritone
Raya Ferholt - baritone
Emerson Hawley - tuba
Helen Marx - percussion

https://www.facebook.com/ZlatneUste/

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Balkan Wednesdays
- Brief instruction for the dances
- Light snacks available
- Hosted by Michael Ginsburg
$20 admission
All are welcome

=============================
Balkan Cafe Wednesdays is a live Balkan music venue where you can listen, dance, learn Balkan dances, have fun and get some good exercise all at the same time.
Near 3rd Ave
Free street parking opens up after 7 PM on the avenues
You can pay for time before that at some spots
$20 per session
Drop-ins are always welcome
Info: 646-831-8720

04/29/2025

Tomorrow Wednesday! Come dance!
Drop ins are welcome