2022 Staff & Bands

Staff and band listings are subject to update and change.

Teachers & Dance Leaders

Bands

Daily Schedule

Please note the schedule and bands are subject to change, even at the very last minute. Schedule updated 8/30/22

Friday, September 9

• 6:00 p.m.: Doors open, and dinner is served!
• 7:00 p.m.: Bring on the brass with Fanfare Zambaleta, with select dances demonstrated by Alex Marković
• 8:30 p.m.: Dancing continues with Greek and other Balkan delights from Aya & Tano, with select dances demonstrated by Joe Graziosi
• 11:00 p.m.: Venue closes for the night. See you tomorrow on the Plaza!

Saturday, September 10

• 11:30 a.m.: Doors open for All-Day attendees, and lunch is served
• 12:30 p.m. – Plaza: Serbian and Romani Dance with Alex Marković
• 12:30 p.m. – Lobby: Greek Singing with Christos Govetas
• 2:00 p.m. – Plaza: Greek Strings with Nick Maroussis
• 2:00 p.m. – Lobby: Croatian Singing with John Morovich
• 3:30 p.m. – Plaza: Greek Dance with Joe Graziosi
• 3:30 p.m. – Rehearsal Room: Balkan Rhythms with Sean Tergis
• 3:30 p.m. – Lobby:Balkan Singing with Michele Simon
• 5:00 p.m.: Doors open for Dinner & Dance attendees
• 5:00 p.m.: – Lobby: Singalong with John Morovich
• 6:00 p.m.: Dinner is served!
• 6:45 p.m.: Dance party begins with Macedonian & More with Zabava!, with select dances demonstrated by Alex Marković
• 8:30 p.m.: Greek dance set with Drómeno, with select dances demonstrated by Joe Graziosi
• 11:00 p.m.: BalkanFest West is over. See you in the neighborhood!

Frequently Asked Questions & Important Information

This section is a work in progress. You can help! If you have a general question, email us and we’ll do our best to answer it, and if appropriate, include it in this list. FAQs updated 9/2/22.

Where is the Presidio Theatre Plaza and how do I get there? (Click on link for detailed directions and information about parking at the Presidio)

• Presidio Theatre Plaza
  99 Moraga Ave.
  San Francisco, CA 94129

Can you expand a bit on your event Covid protocols?

• First of all, these protocols have been established in the spirit of best practices and the common good—so that we can ALL feel safe and comfortable while celebrating with each other. We are aware that Covid cases may occur despite our best efforts.
• Masks must be worn in all indoor spaces (exceptions below).
• All participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted. The registration form provides a field where you will upload your proof of vaccination.
• Please do not come to BalkanFest if you have tested positive for Covid-19 within the 5 days prior to the event or have symptoms of Covid-19 within the 5 days prior to the event.
• We advise everyone to take a PCR or antigen test 3 days prior to the beginning of BalkanFest.
• We will have a small emergency stock of KN95 masks on hand in case you forget to bring your own.

You’re asking that everyone be masked in indoor spaces. Will there be exceptions?

• Yes. We will permit featured teachers to conduct their classes maskless, though students should remain masked. Students who are bringing wind instruments to play in class will be permitted to remove their masks, but we will make sure everyone is positioned a safe distance from one another.

I’m still not quite comfortable being with people indoors. Will events be inside or outside?

• Both. Outside, the spacious, beautifully landscaped Plaza is where we’re holding all dance classes and dance sets. All food will be served outside, and there will be plenty of places to sit, hang, and socialize al fresco.
• The indoor spaces of the Presidio Theatre have been recently renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art ventilation systems (see next FAQ below). We will hold several daytime classes and the evening open-mic Kafana in the Lower Lobby/Bar area, a large and airy room.

Can you tell me more about indoor ventilation at the Theatre?

• Presidio Theatre has 40 air filters in the air-handling system and is committed to changing them out regularly during the COVID pandemic. Fresh national park air is circulated through the air-handler system every night. There are also movable Blueair HEPA air purifiers in high-use areas near the public restrooms.

Will you be live streaming the dance parties, like at the East Coast BalkanFest?

• Unfortunately, no. Because of technical restrictions at the Theatre, we will not be live streaming. We are planning to upload short, informal videos over our social media outlets during the event to give everyone a flavor of what’s happening.

Resources & Materials

Updated 9/19/22

To download audio files and PDFs:
PC: right-click as you click on the red download link.
Mac: press Control as you click on the red download link.
Note: Some browsers work better than others for downloading. So if you’re not successful with one browser, try another.

Sean Tergis – Balkan Rhythms

Link to Google Drive with worksheets and audio resources

Alex Marković – Regional Dances of Kosovo/Kosova

Dance Video Links PDF

Audio files:

• Čačak – KUD Silovo
• Čačak – KUD Stojan Stošić
• Karajusufi – Enver Berisha & Adil Manxhuka
• Karajusufi/Vallja e Karajusufit – Enver Berisha
• Kılıç Oyun Havası – Doğru Yol Ensemble
• Kolloqoj 1
• Kolloqoj 2
• Kolloqoj 3
• Kosovsko Gajda – Mladi Talenti & Naser Struja
• Memede, More Memede – Kočo Petrovski
• Memede – Mahmut Muzafer

Christos Govetas – Greek Singing

YouTube links:

• Tora ine Mais – Dhimitris Vangelis
• Kato sta eksi Marmara – Nikos Filipidhis

Registration Form