Gradina is a Balkan music ensemble based in California’s North Bay area.
We celebrate the seasons and their festivals through song and dance, bringing Old World rituals to new light and new generations to revel in the staying power of gratitude for life on Earth.
We sing both a cappella and with instrumental accompaniment. We lean toward traditional songs and arrangements. We present “sit-down” concerts for choral listening as well as dance concerts, and we are also available to teach most of the dances we present. We are honored to play with many Balkan musicians from near and far, and every concert is different, often with a different array of performers alongside the core group.
We started around 2001 as people who loved this music and wanted to sing it. Our sister group, The Melissae Ensemble, includes many Gradina members.
Contact us if you are interested in singing, helping, or presenting music; we are available for performances.
Upcoming Gradina events:
Razzmatazz Holiday Dance Party, Monroe Hall, Santa Rosa, December 13, 2025, 7-10pm
POSTPONED-Glaser Center Homeless Breakfast Benefit, Santa Rosa, October 25, 2025
Fort Ross Harvest Festival, October 18, 2025, 10:00am-6:00pm (Gradina on at 11:00am)
Chimera Maker Space First Fridays w/ Resting Klezmer Face, Sebastopol, October 3, 2025, 5:00-8:00pm
Sebastopol Porchfest, Sept. 13, 2025, 12:00-12:30 @ Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Occidental Farmers’ Market, September 4, 2025, 5:00-7:00pm
Transhumance Festival, Petaluma, April 12, 2025. Hear KRCB Public Radio Podcast of the Festival, featuring Gradina.
Razzmatazz Red & Black Ball, Monroe Hall, Santa Rosa, March 29, 2025
Razzmatazz Holiday Dance Party, Monroe Hall, Santa Rosa, December 14, 2024
Finley Community Center Annual Craft Faire, Santa Rosa, December 8, 2024
Memorial @ Arlene Francis Center, Santa Rosa, November 10, 2024
DaVero Winery Harvest Party, Healdsburg, September 7, 2024
Balkan Camp Kafana Set, Mendocino Woodlands, June 20, 2024
Bulgarian Easter Party, Finley Park, Santa Rosa, May 5, 2024
Razzmatazz Red & Black Ball, Monroe Hall, Santa Rosa, March 30, 2024
Friends House Concert, Santa Rosa, February 25, 2024
Gradina w/ True Life Trio, Lost Church, Santa Rosa, January 20, 2024
Gradina’s CD!
Gradina’s CD is available here for direct order or here on Amazon. The Amazon link includes digital download options. This album has songs for dancing and a few songs at the end of the CD that are for listening. Check it out!