Traditional Macedonian music will be part of a Balkan concert in Berkeley, California, on October 17, 2026, as the vocal duo Mila Sestra joins Hot Blood Orkestar for an evening of folk music and dancing.
The concert will take place at The Starry Plough as part of the Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal music series, which brings Balkan musical traditions to audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The evening will feature traditional Macedonian singing, tambura music and a performance by a Balkan dance band.
Mila Sestra to Perform Traditional Macedonian Music
Mila Sestra, meaning “Dear Sister,” features musicians Michele Simon and Hilary Musaji, who specialize in traditional folk music from the Vardar and Pirin regions of Macedonia.
Both musicians play the traditional two-course tambura, accompanying their singing with an instrumental style associated with regional folk traditions.
Their performances feature diaphonic singing, a traditional vocal form that combines a moving melody with a sustained or repeating drone.
The style includes distinctive harmonies, ornamentation and rhythms commonly heard in traditional Balkan music.
Through their performances, Mila Sestra introduces American audiences to musical traditions that have been passed down through generations.
The duo will open the concert at 9 p.m.
Hot Blood Orkestar Returns to the Bay Area Stage
Hot Blood Orkestar will follow at 10 p.m., bringing a Balkan dance performance to the venue.
The concert marks the introduction of a new version of the band, led by musician Ryan Feldthouse and fellow performers.
According to the organizers, the group will bring an energetic program designed for dancing and live audience participation.
The concert is part of Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal, a recurring music series at The Starry Plough that features artists performing music from Southeastern Europe.
The event offers Balkan-American communities and other music enthusiasts an opportunity to experience traditional regional sounds in California.
Doors open at 8 p.m., and the performances begin at 9 p.m.
General admission tickets cost $20, while student tickets are available for $15. The event welcomes all ages before 10 p.m., after which admission is restricted to guests aged 21 and older.
The Starry Plough is located at 3101 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley.
Additional information is available on the official Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal website.
