This Sunday, June 24th, Orquesta Z performs at the Historic Claremont Hotel for a very special milonga.
Orquesta Z is the Bay Area’s newest tango orchestra, founded in 2011 and led by veteran Tanguero, Bendrew Jong.
All band members are life-long musicians as well as tango lovers and dancers who wish to share all the passion, joy, sadness, and intimacy that is unique to Argentine tango.
Their repertoire represents not only the classic tangos but also nuevo tangos and a few of their own compositions. They believe that the key to their music is in sharing their passion and joy for the tango with the dancers.
Band members include:
Bendrew (Zhango) Jong, director/vocal
Rebecca Trujillo, piano
Resh Michael Ortega, bandoneon/vocal
Joy Graham, violin
Carol Braves, violin
James Shearer, bass
Catherine Jolly, cello (emeritus)
Here is a clip of Orquesta Z performing live in Berkeley
Let this evening at the Claremont Hotel take you back to the Golden Era of Tango.
Nestled in the Berkeley foothills, the beautiful Claremont Resort Hotel was THE elegant ballroom to go to in the Bay Area. Originally a romantic castle at the start of the Gold Rush and later a grand hotel during the Age of Romanticism.
The Claremont Hotel first opened for business in 1915. In the 1930’s, the entire second floor was flanked by a large porch where visitors would sit, take walks and admire the surroundings and spectacular sunsets. The Claremont’s Garden Room “high atop the hill” became known for performances by such famous bands as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Tommy Dorsey. The Claremont was the place to be for big bands, singers and dancers.
The beautiful Claremont Hotel is now reviving this tradition with a dance at the last weekend of each month, and they chose the most beautiful of all dances, Argentine Tango, to inaugurate their series.
Here are a few more reasons to attend (not that you need any more): Free validated parking, light bites provided by the Claremont’s executive chef, door prizes ranging from spa products to brunch at Meritage Restaurant, “Ladies Choice” tandas, plus an all levels class taught between 7 pm – 8 pm with Ashvin and Stella. All for $20.
Date: Sunday, Jun. 24
7:00 – 8:00 Tango Class with Stella and Ashvin
8:00 – 0:00 Milonga w/DJ Ashvin I Iyengar
9:45 – 10:30 Live Music Set with OrquestaZ
Location: Claremont Hotel, 41 Tunnel Rd., Berkeley, CA Map