Jan. 16-17 marks the 40th annual Golden Festival, a celebration of Balkan folk music and dance founded by the band Zlatne Uste. The Music, Dance, and Joy are at the Marquee Astoria.

Vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and educator Nikara Warren is a Brooklynite, born and raised. She leads Nikara Presents Black Wall Street at Bar LunÀtico on Friday, Jan. 16. 

New York musician Eszter Balint has been making music since her early teen years, combining elements of rock, pop, and folk. She plays at Joe's Pub on Jan. 14.

Catalan folk duo Tarta Relena's vocal-based music limns centuries and borders, and often uses electronics. They play at Jan. 13 at Public Records in Brooklyn.

Clarinetist Michael Winograd recreates a pivotal moment in klezmer music, with "TANZ!", a recording that pushed boundaries with jazz influences. He and the band play in-studio.

The long-running brass band from Cambridge, MA, The Either/Orchestra, plays the style of music known as Ethiopiques at Brooklyn Bowl as part of the Winter Jazzfest Marathon on Jan. 10. 

The Klezmatics celebrate their 40th anniversary with special guests Joshua Nelson, Lavender Light Gospel Choir & La Manga at sony Hall on Jan. 9. 

FRÄNDER unites Swedish and Estonian traditions with a bold modern edge, creating a contemporary “heavy folk” sound. They play Nordic Next at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Jan 8. 

Beth Morrison Projects presents BMP: SONGBOOK, a two-night live performance event celebrating twenty years of groundbreaking innovation in American opera at National Sawdust on Jan. 7-8.