Ashkenaz
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.
“Only in Berkeley would someone dream up a utopian nightclub"
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“Only in Berkeley would someone dream up a utopian nightclub" 〰️
Our Mission
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.
Our Mission in Action
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.
International Music & Americana/Roots Music Productions
Our biggest endeavor by far is putting on multiple shows each week that represent a wide variety of genres that reflect and amplify our mission.
Dance Classes
We have a variety of teachers using our back studio and main hall to teach classes every day!