Celebrate Rumen "Sali" Shopov's birthday with Balkan Ensemble Merkalii and a rare reunion of Édessa at the Starry Plough this Saturday, July 18.

The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal is set to ignite The Starry Plough this Saturday, July 18, with a special birthday celebration for Bulgarian multi-instrumentalist Rumen "Sali" Shopov. His Balkan Ensemble Merkalii will take the stage, alongside a rare reunion performance by the acoustic ensemble Édessa, promising an evening of vibrant music that will make you feel like you've been transported to Eastern Europe.

The Bacchanal will showcase the profound talent of Shopov, a longtime West Berkeley resident deeply immersed in Balkan and Romani musical traditions. Expect his energetic Balkan Ensemble Merkalii to get the crowd moving. Later in the evening, don't miss the much-anticipated, one-off reunion of Édessa, known for their traditional and highly ornamented folk music from the Balkans and beyond. The lineup also includes Balkanton 340, featuring Ivan Velev on tapan drum and Hector Bezanis on Bulgarian gaida, and the Taksim Big Band.

The Starry Plough, a beloved Berkeley institution, will host the festive evening. For the best experience, arrive early to soak in the atmosphere and grab a good spot. While drinks will be flowing, food is available until 10 p.m.

The event is on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students, available at the door. The venue is all-ages before 10 p.m., transitioning to 21+ only after 10 p.m. We recommend public transit or ride-sharing, as street parking in the area can be challenging.

I'd make sure to catch the early sets, especially Balkanton 340 and Balkan Ensemble Merkalii, before the energy builds for Édessa's rare reunion.