Bay Area-based Balkan Ensemble Merkalii & Rumen Sali Shopov pick you up and spin you around with their energetic Balkan and Romani dance tunes. Rumen “Sali” Shopov is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and director of Balkan Ensemble Merkalii . Raised in the vibrant Turkish/Muslim/Romani neighborhood of Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria, he was immersed in Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, Turkish, Serbian, and Romani music, and also served as concertmaster of the Bulgarian folk ensemble Nevrokop. Since emigrating to the US in 2001, he has performed and taught in numerous Bay Area venues as well as international music camps and has received support from ACTA and the Berkeley Civic Arts Commission. We will feature sequence of short sets dedicated to Rumen, including the following groups and performers: Édessa is a Bay Area-based acoustic ensemble renowned for playing traditional and highly ornamented folk music from the Balkans and beyond. Édessa explores a deep repertoire of border music—a fusion of styles born from intersecting cultures, shifting borders, and traveling musicians across Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia. Édessa was active as one of the Bay Area’s most popular Balkan folk dance bands for nearly two decades. In recent years, the band has retired from performing–however they will come together for a short, special one-off reunion performance at this bacchanal to close out the night! Ivan Velev plays tapan and kaval, like his spirit: joyous and playful. He’s also a charismatic Balkan folk dance leader. Originally from Bulgaria, he brings a deep love and connection to Eastern European music and dance traditions and always makes it FUN! He will perform an opening set, joined by Hector Bezanis on Bulgarian gaida. The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal is a monthly event hosted by Peter Bonos. Featuring some of the best balkan musicians from near and far, this Bacchanal is sure to get you out of your seat, moving your feet and raising your glass!