BORDER CROSSING

A terpsichorean tipping point will 
inevitably arrive during that annual rite 
of winter known as the Zlatne Uste Golden Festival. Circles of demographically 
diverse dancers tend to assimilate onlookers in an amoebalike manner, while 
Slavic Soul Party!, Gogofski, the Veveritse Brass Band, or some other combo blows lustily in the middle of this hall’s gorgeous grand ballroom, and you will 
suddenly find yourself prancing gleefully counterclockwise to some oddball rhythm. With 60 bands — including 
Choban Elektrik, Matt Darriau’s Electric Gaida Paradox Band, and the Obscure Dignitaries — performing on four stages, there will be distractions aplenty during the festival’s Dionysian Saturday-night revelries. Tonight is a warm-up, complete with dance lessons and five bands 
on hand for the subsequent party. 
Complimentary meze, too!

Fri., Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 18, 6 p.m., 2014