About
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center – Programs for Children includes concerts, classes in participatory dance and music, and other music and dance programs. The program takes place in a historic music venue and dance hall that specializes in presenting live world and roots music, including 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.
• Schedule: Nightly live music, dance and movement classes, workshops, programs for children, and benefit shows
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center has been Berkeley’s home for international music and dance since 1973 and is a 50-year-old music venue and dance hall. It is an internationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit music and culture venue and a historic nonprofit music venue that presents multiple shows each week representing a wide variety of genres. 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, and it is committed to supporting both established and emerging local, regional, national, and international artists in a respectful, comfortable, and family-friendly atmosphere. Ashkenaz is described as “All Ages, All the Time,” and people of all ages, cultures, and lifestyles come together there for music and dance programs, including benefit shows.
Community members and artists describe Ashkenaz as “a cultural anchor,” “just plain fun,” and “a gem of a place and so vital to the performing arts.” One community member notes that it is a place where “people aged 16 to 60 can party together without trouble,” and another calls it “a utopian nightclub.” A performer and dance instructor describes it as a space for everyday people to come together, express themselves, and dance in a non-competitive and positive environment, and several long-time community members describe Ashkenaz as an important part of their lives.
Last updated March 19, 2026.
• Schedule: Nightly live music, dance and movement classes, workshops, programs for children, and benefit shows
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center has been Berkeley’s home for international music and dance since 1973 and is a 50-year-old music venue and dance hall. It is an internationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit music and culture venue and a historic nonprofit music venue that presents multiple shows each week representing a wide variety of genres. 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, and it is committed to supporting both established and emerging local, regional, national, and international artists in a respectful, comfortable, and family-friendly atmosphere. Ashkenaz is described as “All Ages, All the Time,” and people of all ages, cultures, and lifestyles come together there for music and dance programs, including benefit shows.
Community members and artists describe Ashkenaz as “a cultural anchor,” “just plain fun,” and “a gem of a place and so vital to the performing arts.” One community member notes that it is a place where “people aged 16 to 60 can party together without trouble,” and another calls it “a utopian nightclub.” A performer and dance instructor describes it as a space for everyday people to come together, express themselves, and dance in a non-competitive and positive environment, and several long-time community members describe Ashkenaz as an important part of their lives.
Last updated March 19, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.