Balkan Music Night Dance Performance

Celebrating the 36th Balkan Music Night!

Balkan Music Night is a vibrant celebration of the rich musical traditions of the Balkans, and an immersive experience in music, dance, culture, and community.

Since 1986, several hundred Balkan enthusiasts of all backgrounds have gathered annually in the Boston area to revel in the exciting rhythms and soulful melodies of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Romania, Turkey, and other cultures.

The fun will run from 6:00pm to 12:00am! Dance away the evening in the main hall to the compelling beats of Balkan dance bands.

Between band sets, relax a bit and enjoy dance performances by local troupes! This year, Balkan Music Night is proud to welcome the Grachanitsa Serbian Folk Dance and Song Ensemble as well as the Boston Lykeion Ellinidon Dance Troupe for lively performances. For Balkan Music Night, we will perform a set of Greek dances, featuring authentic costumes, in the main Dance Hall from 10:35-10:45 p.m.

The impressive roster of performers includes powerful vocalists and dynamic instrumentalists, renowned Balkan-born artists and accomplished American-born devotees, local favorites and guest bands, all brought together for one extraordinarily bountiful night of dancing and listening pleasure.

In all, a dozen different ensembles will play for dancing and listening, including: 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; and local favorites REVMA, featuring Sandy Theodorou, chair of the Boston Lykeion Ellinidon’s Traditional Dance Department, playing music for traditional Greek dances.

This year, Balkan Music Night returns to the historic Somerville Armory, a beautiful space with a large hall for participatory folk dancing, an overhanging mezzanine for enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the dance below, plus an intimate café for quieter performances.

For more information and a full schedule, visit the Folk Arts Center of New England website. To purchase tickets, visit this page.