Celebrate the San Francisco Premiere of Balkancisco on June 23, 2024

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Join us for the SF premiere of Balkancisco on June 23, 2024, at Gray Area, featuring a Q&A with producer Duygu Gün and a Balkan brass band performance.

Join us for the San Francisco premiere of the acclaimed documentary, Balkancisco. This film explores the dynamic Balkan music scene in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. The event will take place at the Gray Area in the Mission District on June 23rd, 2024, and will feature a post-screening Q&A session with Creative Producer Duygu Gün and selected artists from the documentary. Following the Q&A, local Balkan brass band Fanfare Zambaleta will perform, guiding attendees to Bissap Baobab for the weekly Balkan Sundays event.

Premiere Schedule:

• 4:00 – 4:30 PM: Opening Reception at Gray Area | Grand Theater (Donations appreciated)
• 4:30 – 6:00 PM: Balkancisco Screening at Gray Area | Grand Theater (Donations appreciated)
• 6:00 – 6:30 PM: Q&A at Gray Area | Grand Theater (Donations appreciated)
• 6:30 – 7:15 PM: Balkan Brass Performance at Gray Area | Grand Theater (Donations appreciated)
• 7:15 PM: Parade to Balkan Sundays from Gray Area to Bissap Baobab (Free)
• 7:30 – 10:30 PM: Balkan Sundays at Bissap Baobab (Free)

In the documentary Balkancisco, we follow the journey of a Turkish girl named Duygu, who relocates to San Francisco in search of a sense of belonging in her self-imposed exile. While exploring her new city, she discovers the burgeoning Balkan music scene and is instantly captivated by this lively community. Intrigued by the local appreciation for Balkan music, Duygu embarks on a mission to uncover the roots of this cultural phenomenon. She engages with the trailblazing pioneers who introduced Balkan music to the Bay Area, as well as contemporary bands like Balkan Bump and Beats Antique, who have propelled this genre to national and international music festivals. Through her exploration, Duygu finds a vibrant community of musicians and enthusiasts who have embraced Balkan music as their own. She invites us into sold-out Balkan jam sessions and energetic parties, where a diverse group of San Francisco residents dance to the infectious rhythms of Balkan beats.

Throughout her journey, Duygu discovers a profound sense of belonging and gains a new appreciation for music’s power to transcend cultural boundaries, creating a sense of home regardless of geographic location. This documentary reveals the odyssey of Balkan music to San Francisco and its transformation into a vital component of the city’s underground music culture. As the first in-depth exploration of this scene, it promises a vibrant celebration of sound and dance, compelling viewers to sway to its rhythm and irresistibly drawing them to the dance floor.