YALLAH Arts Festival

Join us on Saturday, August 9, 2025, for the YALLAH Arts Festival at Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center in Berkeley. This vibrant event celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region through a dynamic blend of food, dance, music, and artisanal vendors. The festival creates a space for individuals with SWANA roots to connect with their history and explore contemporary artistic expressions.

Schedule:

Saturday Workshops:

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Amy Sigil – Improv Team Sync & The Sigil Method

12:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Amel Toufsout – Dancing to Raï Music

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Isabella Salimpour – Emotional Connection to Choreography

Sunday Workshops:

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Zoe Jakes – Salimpour Inspired Fusion Combos

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Fadi Islambouli – Arabic Music & Drum Workshop

The festival also features a screening of The Fez documentary, panel discussions, and a Debke dance class and demonstration.

Tickets:

Saturday Festival Entrance: $50 (all-day access to vendors, shows, documentary, panels, and Debke class)

Sunday Entry Fee: $20 (all-day access to vendors, shows, documentary, panels, and Debke class)

VIP All-Access Pass: $250 (access to both Saturday and Sunday festivals; excludes Bal Anat show ticket)

Workshops: $60 each

This is an all-ages event.