This rowdy weekend of brass, horns and Balkan beats is back to rage on, with two late nights of dancing and drinking to the music of more than 50 bands. During breaks, head to the charshiya (market) to pick up cool crafts and try local delicacies.
The Zlatne Uste Golden Festival, running from January 17 to 18, is widely recognized as the nation's largest and most diverse Balkan music and dance event. Expect music, dancing and pure joy to brighten up these winter days. The fun takes place at the Astoria World Manor in Queens.
Still need convincing? As one fan of the festival put it, "you feel like you're crashing the best wedding ever."
The lineup includes brass faves Slavic Soul Party and Novi Hitovi; Michael Winograd (Klezmer); Ukrainian Village Voices; Merita Halili, Raif Hyseni and the MSU Albanian-Balkan Ensemble; Scott Wilson and Efendi (Middle Eastern); Christos Tiktapanides (Pontian Greek); Amir Vahab Trio (Persian and Turkish), and Lubo Smilenov (Bulgarian), as well as rafter-raising out-of-towners like West Philadelphia Orchestra and Undertow Brass Band. The full schedule of performers is available here.