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January 2024
Madison Folkball 2024
It's a new year, and we have a new album! So naturally, our first stop with the physical product is out of town. For those of you in the Madison area (or game for a winter getaway), come celebrate the 34-year-old tradition that is the Madison Folkball at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. We'll be playing Saturday night in the Great Hall at the Memorial Union amidst a great line-up of other like-minded dance bands from MN and WI. Come…
Find out more »April 2024
Celebrate our album release April 6!
On the heels of celebrating our 21st birthday in December, we now celebrate the birth of our first album in ten years — the aptly named “21” — by returning to Celtic Junction on Saturday, April 6. (Fun fact: OBI’s previous album was recorded live on CJ’s stage in 2014!) Coming in at a healthy 10 tracks, the new album is chock-full of the exciting Eastern European dance music we're known for, including Romani classics like “Djelem djelem” and “Ederlezi.”…
Find out more »July 2024
OBI returns to Schooner Tavern (Katrina’s Birthday edition)
Please join us for this very special return to the Schooner Tavern. We’ll be celebrating the soul of OBI, our very own Katrina Mundinger, whose actual birthday is the next day. (Can you tell we like celebrating birthdays?) Come ready to dance and celebrate our clarinetist with a live playlist curated by her. Bonus points if you come wearing red: Katrina‘s favorite color!
Find out more »November 2024
OBI at Tapestry Fall Dance Party
OBI once again is happy to participate in Tapestry’s annual Fall Dance Party. Bring your dancing shoes and enjoy an evening with three hours of Balkan Party Music!
Find out more »February 2025
The return of SNOPA in 2025
This small, but mighty international dance winter weekend used to be an annual opportunity to hunker down somewhere in the woods of Minnesota and play a night of Balkan party music for some of our most steadfast supporters. As with many things, the pandemic (remember that?) put a damper on this gathering, but it is now back in full swing beginning in 2025. And we're glad to provide the entertainment! More details will be forthcoming. In the meantime, save the…
Find out more »March 2025
The return of Martenitsa, too!
Folks have been asking since the pandemic when OBI will do another Martenitsa to celebrate spring, Bulgarian-style. Well, fans are in luck: The Bulgarian school is hosting Martenitsa this year, and it's at a new venue: The Granada Theater in Uptown! The evening will start at 7pm with Makam Baklava, followed by Mila Vocal Ensemble, then OBI. There's plenty of space to dance, or, if you prefer to watch the show seated, there are special tickets for that also. Get…
Find out more »October 2025
Balkan dance party at Celtic Junction
Get ready for a joyful, dance-worthy celebration with your favorite Balkan party band! OBI returns to one of our all-time favorite stages at the Celtic Junction in St. Paul, with a night to remember. It's an all-ages show, so bring your kids, your grandparents, and your friends. There will be plenty of space for dancing and for sitting. Get tickets in advance to secure a spot. Let's celebrate the beauty of a Minnesota autumn together!
Find out more »January 2026
OBI at Madison Folk Ball
We'll be making our annual trek to Madison for one of the funnest international dance party weekends. This year's guest dance teacher is our buddy Lee Otterholt. Plus there will lots of great music with us and three oter bands, including Colleen's other band, Szaszka. Come join us!
Find out more »February 2026
The return of SNOPA
We're looking forward to this wintery weekend that took a bit of a hiatus a few years back. Now it's back in full swing. Come join us for a tundra-friendly dance party.
Find out more »Martenitsa 2026
Mark your calendars! Martenitsa will be back in 2026 at the Granada Theater in Minneapolis and will feature OBI plus Mila Vocal Ensemble, Traki Folk Orchestra, and Makam Baklava. We'll be celebrating the spring Bulgarian-style. Feel free to wear white and red: the traditional colors of Martenitsa. Thanks to the Bulgarian School for inviting us again!
Find out more »