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SF Loves Tango

Insider’s guide to Argentine Tango in the San Francisco Bay Area

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Live Music

San Francisco not only has great dancers but also many great musicians. It’s such a treat to have these live Tango orchestras grace dancers with their music. Please check TangoMango or their websites to see where they will be playing next.


Tango Brumoso

Tango Brumoso

They are a cuarteto of musicians that play traditional Argentine Tango music for social dancing. Orchestra members are Jane Yurkevich ~ Accordion, Hereen Oh ~ Violin, Crystie Nicci Shum ~ Piano, and Daniel Peters ~ Double Bass.

Visit their Facebook page


TangoLuna

TangoLuna

The moon of tango started to arise for TangoLuna at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. When Crystie Nicci Shum and Adele Lun first met at a tango music workshop in Toronto in 2019, they loved playing with each other. Then the pandemic changed the world and brought like minds even closer together. With the addition of DalRae Jin, the three gals called themselves Las Tangueritas and rehearsed online for several months.

Daniel Peters and Alexander Zeyliger joined the group when in-person rehearsals became available. The band was re-named TangoLuna, since, well, the group was no longer comprised of only gals!

TangoLuna is a group of musicians of solid classical training who fell in love with the passion and complexity of tango music. They had their world premiere on Nov 21, 2021 at The Dome.

Visit their Facebook page


La Orquest Fusion Tango

L.O.F.T. Community Big Band Orchestra

LOFT is an acronym for La Orquesta Fusion Tango, a community tango orchestra in the San Francisco Bay Area consisting of trained instrumentalists and vocalists with a mutual love of tango.

Visit their Facebook page


CMC at a milonga (2017)

Community Music Center (CMC) Tango Ensemble

The group is directed by CMC faculty member Scott O’Day and offered as a weekly class for adults and older teens (high school students). Students will use arrangements of classic tangos to learn musical, rhythmic, and stylistic elements of tango performance practice and ensemble playing. They perform for the San Francisco tango dance community (e.g., local milonga) on occasion.

Visit CMC website


Trio GarufaTrio Garufa

Trio Garufa is considered one of the most versatile contemporary interpreters of Argentine Tango, mixing deep respect for tango’s Golden Era with the innovation of the modern Nuevo Tango movement. Their music is powerful, passionate, and always danceable. Trio Garufa has performed across Argentina, Canada, and the US. The ensemble performs classic Argentine Tango from the golden era (30s-50s) as well as Argentine Folkloric Music (Chacarera, Zamba, Guarania, Gato, Chamamé) and modern Tangos from Piazzolla as well as Electro-Tango and their original compositions. Trio Garufa consists of three very talented musicians, Guillermo Garcia on guitar, Adrian Jost on Accordion/Bandoneon, and Sascha Jacobsen on Bass. They released their third album at the end of April 2012. 

Visit website


Seth Asarow y Su Sexteto Tipico by Peter Ivory
Photo by Peter Ivory

Seth Asarnow Y Su Sexteto Tipico

One of the most popular orchestra’s in San Francisco, this sextet’s style of playing ranges from the tango orchestras of the 40’s to the more contemporary arrangements of well-known tango pieces. They have been lauded for their superb renditions of tangos authentic enough to make dancers forget they are dancing to live music and not the original recording from the 40’s. Members include: Seth Asarnow, Julian Ramil, Cynthia Mei, Michael Thomas, Dan Highman, Christopher Johnson.  They play regularly at various location around San Francisco. 

Visit website


Mariano Barreiro Trio
Mariano Barreiro Tango Trio

Mariano Barreiro Tango Trio

Argentine tango pianist Mariano Barreiro is one of the most recognized tango pianists of the new generation, having recorded with the best tango musicians in the world such as violinist Pablo Agri (Piazzolla), bandoneon player Horacio Romo (Sexteto Mayor), bassist Horacio Cabarcos (Leopoldo Federico), singer Juan Villarreal (El Arranque) , bandoneonist Martin Cecconi and the guitarist Santiago Cursach among many others.

Mariano Barreiro gave Tango concerts on international tours in North America, South America and Europe. Performed concerts at the most prestigious international tango festivals such as The Tallinn International Tango Festival in Finland, the Five Continents Festival in Switzerland, the Postale Tango Festival in France, the Zárate Tango Festival in Buenos Aires, The Festival Argentine, and the Tango Championship in San Francisco (ATUSA) and International Tango Festival Red Carpet Las Vegas among others.  You can find them performing at various milongas and venues around the Bay Area.

Visit website


Tangonerotangonero_new

With members from Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States, Tangonero is a San Francisco based ensemble dedicated to preserving the tradition of Argentine Tango. Tangonero was awarded the CMC Shenson Award for their original stage production Malena, in collaboration with Argentine vocalist Claudio Ortega and dancers Count Glover and Chelsea Eng. They have performed at numerous festivals including Portland ValenTango, San Francisco Tango Xchange, Boston Tango Festival and Cotati Accordion Festival. They continue to perform throughout the United States in both dance and concert halls. Members are Violinist Michèle Walther, Pianist I-Yun Chung, Alex Roitman on Bandoneon and bassist Richard Duke.

 Visit website


TangoNo9Tango No.9

Tango No. 9 explores tango music in all its myriad manifestations — traditional dance music, vocal ballads, tango nuevo, and more recent compositions — bringing an idiosyncratic twist to each. The trio of instruments — violin, piano, and trombone — may seem a far cry from the more traditional orquesta tipica, but the group’s ingenious arrangements capture a much larger sound, while the unorthodox brass instrument adds a new dimension to the mix.  Tango No. 9 performs at milongas, festivals, concert halls, and clubs in the Bay Area as well as across the Western U.S. 

Visit website


Redwood Tango Ensemble

Redwood Tango Ensemble is a sextet from Oakland California, dedicated to both traditional Argentine tango music and original tango composition. The ensemble’s arrangements are inspired by the styles of Anibal Troilo, Juan D’Arienzo, Carlos DiSarli, Osvaldo Pugliese, and other master orchestras in tango, which has made Redwood Tango popular among the dance communities in the bay area and on tour. Their signature is a growing repertoire of original compositions by bandoneonist Charles Gorczynski, centered around the creative and wide-reaching modern tango composers in Argentina and around the world.  Orchestra members are Charles Gorczynski – Bandoneón, Alexander Lazarev – Piano, Scott O’Day – Guitar, Kendra Vernon – Violin, Celia Harris – Violin, Daniel Fabricant – Double Bass.  

Visit website


Cuarteto Puentes

Comprised of Alex, DalRae, Matt, and Jeff. Formed in 2015 by four Bay Area dancers/musicians, Cuarteto Puentes is dedicated to performing Argentine Tango music for dancers and audiences of all kinds.

Formed in 2015 by four Bay Area dancers/musicians, Cuarteto Puentes is dedicated to performing Argentine Tango music for dancers and audiences of all kinds. They have studied at Reed Tango Music Institute, Stowe Tango Music Festival, and with top tango musicians including Ignacio Varchausky, Ramiro Gallo, Hernan Posetti, Hector del Curto, Pablo Estigarribia, Emilio Solla, Adam Tully, and Ville Hiltula. The quartet appreciates the opportunities they have had for outstanding collaborations with exceptional artists at a number of unique venues. Their enthusiasm for playing danceable tango standards as well as more modern arrangements keeps them busy with practicing, studying, arranging, and composing.


OrchestraZOrchestra Z

Formed in 2011, Orquesta Z is composed of San Francisco Bay Area musicians with a love for Argentine tango.  Their repertoire is rich with Golden Era Argentine tangos from the 30’s thru 50’s, plus modern and original compositions from the 60’s thru today from around the world. They play tangos that are interesting, engaging, and most importantly danceable!

Who the heck is Orquesta Z?  (left to right)
violin: Jim Shallenberger (Kronos Quartet, SF Symphony, Forever Tango)
double bass: Sandy Schniewind (Prometheus Symphony)
violin: Carol Braves (Holy Names Symphony)
piano/’ukelele(!): Barbie Wong (Oakland Public Conservatory)
director/vocals/guitar/bandoneon: Bendrew Jong 

Visit website.

Tango scenes in SF

sflovestango

Celebrate #bayareatango community, support everyone involved & share ♥️ of #tango with San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

sflovestango
Las Chicas del Tango @thetangodome Oakland, Califo Las Chicas del Tango
@thetangodome
Oakland, California
26 de agosto de 2023

Piano @sfsumi
Violín @basmaedreesviolin
Contrabajo @hannahmacgilv
Bandoneones @sinai_rim y @clarastern_bandoneon
Cello Vicky Ehrlich

#repost 📸 @clarastern_bandoneon 
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#tango #argentinetango #specialevent #onenightonly #sanfrancisco #oakland #bayareatango #femalemusicians #livemusic #thedome #womenintango #chambermusic #contemporarytango #bayareaconcert #powerhouse #sflovestango
It's been a while since we do a spotlight on any t It's been a while since we do a spotlight on any teacher. But someone like @lucianavallel who has been a regular visiting teacher for over 20 years, we are very glad to welcome her back to San Francisco for the first time post-pandemic! (link in bio!👆)

Starting with pre-Milonga class this Thursday Aug 10 at @milongamalevaje, Friday Aug 11 at Milonga Genesis (hosted by @tangosabor) and two weekends of Intensive Tango Workshops at Monte Cristo Social Club (event link in bio👆)!
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#tango #argentinetango #tangoargentino #tangoclass #tangoworkshop #tangoteacher #tangoartist #sanfrancisco #sflovestango #bayareatango
Any time at @tangamente.sf is a great time to revi Any time at @tangamente.sf is a great time to review the social tango etiquette, a.k.a. The Rules of the Road, courtesy of @tangonnection & @ayano.yoneda.tango ♥️
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #tangofestival #tangomarathon #etiquette #floorcraft
❤️‍🔥 @tango_with_winnie and @hugosatorre ❤️‍🔥 @tango_with_winnie and @hugosatorre continued their SF Tour with a weekend of Adventures in Tango Land at @tangodome !

They first blew us away with Saturday Tango Nightclub joining forces with The Dome's house band, Orquesta Tipica Domo, including a special guest artist Aude Bresson.👏 Then they kept the adventures going with a Sunday afternoon Live Music Practica for Dancers! 🎶❣️🎵🎹

If you miss out The Dome events completely, check out our stories for a few highlights!👆 Want to feel the magic of their music in person? Don't miss the rest of their SF tour!👇
~Tuesday 6/27 at El Valenciano (hosted by @tangosabor w/ Julian)
~Saturday 7/1 at @tangamente.sf (hosted by @tanguera_e and @jesram_sf)

☝️Links in bio!
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #specialevent #livemusic #tangomusic #contemporarytango #tangodancers #bailemostango
What a spectacular Music Celebration Day it was in What a spectacular Music Celebration Day it was in Berkeley! 🎶🎉 Hosted by @afberkeley and @ecolebilingue , an intercultural event with a one-time Milonga transported the attendees to the streets of Paris with "A Tango in Paris" Fête de la Musique. 🇦🇷🇫🇷

The event started with a conversation – part interview, part presentation – between @myriamdasilva_photo and @ayano.yoneda.tango (dancer, teacher, and co-founder of the Tango Poetry Project), who shared her insights on how immigration between Argentina and France has shaped the history of tango. 

As the evening progressed, we were treated to the live music by the Swiss Bandoneon player @fueyequerido and SF local pianist @sethasarnow . This may be their last appearance as a piano-bandoneón duo for quite a while as Adrian and his family are moving to Switzerland! Of course, there was some “romance de Paris” for the occasion (e.g., the tango ‘Griseta’ was one of the songs they played!). 

With many local tango dancers attending, to add to the ambience of the night, DJ @cruz.fierro handpicked tango tandas to keep the dancing going between live music sets and transport the audience from Buenos Aires to Paris.
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #intercultural #specialevents #onenightonly #milonganight #livemusic #bandoneon #piano #duo #tangodancer #berkeley #bayareatango #sflovestango
For those who’ve missed Milonga Génesis this pa For those who’ve missed Milonga Génesis this past Friday, we hope you enjoy the performance highlights by @mariabelen_sebastian.tango 🔥

✨SEBASTIAN JIMENEZ✨ @sebastianjimeneztango is a renowned tango dancer and from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has won multiple awards, including the World Tango Championship in 2010, and has performed at prestigious events and festivals around the world. Jimenez is also a respected tango instructor and has taught workshops and master classes in several countries. He has had a significant impact on the world of tango, both as a performer and as a teacher.

✨MARIA BELEN GIACHELLO✨@mariabelengiachello is born in Argentina and now a tango teacher and singer based in Toulouse, France. With 30 years of combined experience in tango, training, performing and teaching, she has travelled to many beautiful places around the world showing her art.
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #milonganight #bailemos #tangodancer #tangoperformance #sanfrancisco #bayareatango #tangoislife #tangoeslavida #sflovestango
@pabloinza and @sofi_saborido are no strangers to @pabloinza and @sofi_saborido are no strangers to the SF tango community! 💕 For a few years now, we've enjoyed having them around every summer.😎 Thanks @junicorn_33 for bringing them here.

Enjoy snippets of their beautiful performances last Saturday at Vecher Tango at the Russian Center 📸✨ and don't miss the last class of their visit this year TONIGHT before the milonga at @el_valenciano1153, hosted by @tangosabor !
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#tango #TangoArgentino #argentinetango #milonga #tangoclasses #tangoperformance #bailar #BailemosJuntos #learningisfun #tangoislife #sflovestango
✨ Vecher Tango at the Russian Center had another ✨ Vecher Tango at the Russian Center had another star-struck night!✨

@ariadnayfernando returned to San Francisco after their last visit in 2016 for @noras_tango_week.

On top of teaching all afternoon and performing four songs of their choice, they surprised us with an improvised encore to live music by Seth Asarnow (@sethasarnow on piano) and Adrian Jost (@fueyequerido on bandoneón), a first-time collaboration for the four artists altogether!! 👏👏♥️♥️🙌🙌 ¡Qué celebración del Tango!

Thank you Julia Schiptsova @juliasch999 and Davood Yazdani for bringing @ariadnanaveira and @fernet_sanz back to SF! We look forward to welcoming them back later this year in Thanksgiving. Stay tuned for details.

Check out our stories for video snippets from the amazing evening!
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#tango #argentinetango #tangoargentino  #tangoperformance #bailar #bailemos #bailando #tangoshow #tangoevent #tangoperformance #tangodancer #tangocouple #specialevent #onenightonly #tangophoto #sanfrancisco #tangoislife #sflovestango #livemusic #duo #bandoneon #piano #improvisation
That Saturday night ❤️‍🔥 when Duo Villarr That Saturday night ❤️‍🔥 when Duo Villarreal Crom, @juanvillarreal_13 and @patriciocrom joined forces with Orquesta Típico Domo at @thetangodome !🎶🎻🎸🎹🎤
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevents #tangomusic #tangoconcert #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusicians #travelingmusicians #duo #guitarists #livemusic #milonga #contemporarytango  #bayareatango #sflovestango #oakland #weekendvibes #goodvibesonly #performanceart #tangoislife
Part 3️⃣ of Duo @juanvillarreal_13 & @patricio Part 3️⃣ of Duo @juanvillarreal_13 & @patriciocrom Crom at @thetangodome … a Chacarera! When the musicians extended an invitation to the audience to join them on stage, a few dancers spontaneously jumped at the chance! 👏👏👏👏
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevents #tangomusic #tangoconcert #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusicians #travelingmusicians #duo #guitarists #livemusic #argentinefolklore #contemporarytango  #bayareatango #sflovestango #oakland #weekendvibes #goodvibesonly #performanceart #tangoislife
REPOSTING… because how could one resist missing REPOSTING… because how could one resist missing the standing ovation *and* an encore because earlier post got cut off due to unknown glitch🙈… Second half of part 1️⃣ the highlights from an amazing night at @thetangodome with Duo 🎸🎸 @juanvillarreal_13 and @patriciocrom ! And our very own @scottodaymusic made it a guitar trio for the encore! 
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevents #tangomusic #tangoconcert #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusicians #travelingmusicians #duo #guitarists #livemusic #argentinefolklore #contemporarytango  #bayareatango #sflovestango #oakland #weekendvibes #goodvibesonly #performanceart #tangoislife
❤️‍🔥DJ @lebendiguna DROPS THE NEEDLE with ❤️‍🔥DJ @lebendiguna DROPS THE NEEDLE with the world’s fastest learning curve!❤️‍🔥

When Una’s laptop unexpectedly failed to connect to @thetangodome sound system, Daniel Peter’s vinyl collection and on-the-spot knowledge transfer to the rescue!! 😮🔥🧯❤️ After watching Dan just a few times dropping the needle between tracks, Una hit the track her FIRST TIME trying‼️✌️

🎥 @thetangodome 
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevents #milonga #tangodj #tangomusic #vinylrecords #newskillunlocked #tangoislife #oldtechisgoodtech #bayareatango #oakland
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