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Looking for Tango on Valentine’s Weekend?

February 6, 2015

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, this is a good time for a round-up of upcoming SF Bay Area Tango events.

For some reason, many consider Argentine Tango to be romantic, passionate or sensual. Perhaps it’s the physical closeness of the dance, the intertwining of legs or the serious, contemplative look on dancers faces. For those who dance tango regularly, we know that tango is incredibly complex and can mean many things to many people. Depending on whom I’m dancing with, it can be gentle, intense, sweet, playful or even challenging and most often, not romantic.

I’m not saying that tango is not romantic or passionate, as I know many who have found romance on the dance floor, myself included, but it does not happen often and not to everyone. So please don’t head out to Tango on Valentines Weekend thinking you will meet that someone special on the dance floor. Love, much like learning Tango, takes time. In the meantime, make sure to enjoy the embraces.

For Valentine’s Weekend 2015, you have a variety choices. I’ve categorized them by WATCH, LEARN or DANCE.  Feel free to do all three, if you like!

LEARN TANGO:

Practilonga La Vida at The Finish Hall in Berkeley

Practilonga La Vida is brought to you by: Jonas, Cristian, and Monza and is held every Saturday. Classes are from 1-3pm and from 3-6pm is the practilonga with traditional and alternative music.

This February 14 special guest Melina Mistral from Montreal will be teaching, performing, and DJing!

1:00 – 2:00   Foundation Class
2:00 – 3:00   Intermediate Class
3:00 – 6:00   Practilonga with various DJs (70/30 music)

Location: Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut Street, Berkeley, CA  Map

The 2nd Floor Lingerie Práctilonga with Erin & Doruk

Sunday, February 15th from 4-6pm in San Francisco

This practica is located in the former Ladies’ Lingerie section of the old Sears Building (now a modern dance studio!) Erin and Doruk both lead and follow beautifully, are excellent instructors and generally kind and fun people. They focus on teaching fundamental movement and non-verbal communication skills of tango. The beginner and intermediate classes are also good for experienced dancers interested in brushing up their fundamental skills. No partner needed. Feel free to wear your lingerie!

Every Sunday
2:00 – 3:00 Beginning Tango
3:00 – 4:00 Intermediate Tango
4:00 – 6:00 2nd Floor Lingerie Práctilonga

Location: Studio 210, 3435 Cesar Chavez (Building Says “3435 Army”) San Francisco

More info:  www.erinanddoruktango.com

Valentine’s Day Second Saturday Advanced Seminar at The Beat with Homer & Cristina

Saturday, February 14 in Berkeley

Two of the Bay Area’s most popular tango instructors, Homer and Cristina, will be offering an Advanced seminar at The Beat in Berkeley. The theme will be ‘A Volcada Odyssey!’ This advanced workshop includes a 1-hour advanced seminar followed by a 1.5-hour supervised practice session. A partner is required and the workshop is limited to 20 couples.

Time: 7pm to 9:30pm

Location: The Beat, 2560 9th Street, Berkeley (between 9th and Parker, plenty of parking)

For more info and to register online (for big savings): http://theorganictangoschool.org/Advanced-Seminar

 

LEARN AND DANCE:

Valentine Milonga Tango Party at the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur

Saturday, February 14 from 6:30 to 10:30pm

TangoApilado_bigtentJonathan y Olivia of Tango Apilado in collaboration with the Marin County Mart and The Redwood Tango Sextet presents the Big Tent Event on Valentine’s Day!

6:30–7:15 pm: Opening concert by Redwood Tango Sextet
7:15–8:15 pm: Absolute-beginner tango lesson.
Performance follows by Jonathan Yamauchi and Olivia Levitt. All visitors are welcome in the class (and experienced dancers are encouraged to come and help the novices).
8:15–10:30 pm Dancing continues for everyone with more live music by Redwood Tango Sextet.

Admission to the Valentine Milonga is complimentary when guests reserve their spot by February 10 on Brown Paper Tickets. (After February 10, the event is $20 per person.)  http://brownpapertickets.com/event/1152588

Location: Marin Country Mart (under the heated Big Tent), Larkspur, CA

More info:  http://tangoapilado.com/valentine-s-day-milonga/

 

DANCE TANGO:

Milonga Epoca’s Five Year Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday, February 7th

Although this event is the weekend before Valentine’s Day, it is worthy of being mentioned here. Milonga Epoca is celebrating their Fifth Year Anniversary with live music by Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico. In the Bay Area, where we often have an over saturation of milongas and many come and go, Milonga Epoca, formerly “Tango Universe Lake Merritt Milonga” has not only lasted but it has grown to be a very successful milonga with regular guest instructors, DJs and occasional live music. Congratulations to Ashvin and Sandy who both worked hard to create a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Location: Lake Merritt Dance Center (Lakeview Hall 1 – upstairs),  200 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA  Map

Trio Garufa at La Milonga de Nora at the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville

Saturday February 14

Trio Garufa at La Milonga de Nora

La Milonga de Nora is a very special Milonga, made even more special this Valentines Day with live music by one of our favorite local tango trios, Trio Garufa!  Reserve your table for a party of 6 (or more) with Nora at: misstango@hotmail.com

CLASS: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
MILONGA: 9:30 pm – 2 am
PERFORMANCE by TRIO GARUFA: First set starts at 10pm.

Location: Allegro Ballroom, 5855 Christie Avenue. Emeryville, CA

REVOLUTION IS LOVE at the Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural

Saturday February 14 – Valentine’s Day 2015

RevolutionisLove

OAKLAND PALESTINE SOLIDARITY MURAL / off the wall series; Art Forces, the Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC) and Nor Cal Friends of Sabeel are hosting an evening of dance, refreshments, and activism. REVOLUTION IS LOVE benefits AROC’s Boycott, Divestment, Sanction organizing at the Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural Project

6:30 – 7:30 Cocktails, Music, and Performances by Adhamh Roland, Dabke Dance Troupe, and other surprises
7:30 – 8:30 Dancing at the Wall – Tango Lessons by Jonas Aquino and Monza Lui
8:30 DJ Rumorosa Dance Party and Celebration

“If I can’t dance, then I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” – Emma Goldman

Location: Uptown Body and Fender, 401 26th St, Oakland

More information: http://heyevent.com/event/1582063482028569/revolution-is-love-valentines-day-2015

 

WATCH TANGO:

Tango Dreamscapes – Dance performance and fundraiser debuts on Valentines Weekend

Pam & MitchIn Tango Dreamscapes, dream adventures come to life through a surrealistic tour of the tango. You will meet the “sneak thief” in pursuit of the tango fairy; the wannabe artist who dreams of dancing off with his muse, the accordion-playing street musician who imagines winning the affections of the gorgeous society lady, the ladies who are lost in nostalgia for the romantic days gone by when they danced at Milongas all over town.

Two pieces have been choreographed for women only. “Pretty Feet” showcases the intricate footwork a follower must master, and “Femme Fatale” is a slightly noir ensemble dance with the dancers wearing masks.

The show also features musical numbers from dancers William Zemsky on guitar, Mark Anderson on accordion and Christianna Valentina, a professional vocalist/pianist. Ms. Valentina will be partnered by John Campbell, a professional dancer and co-founder of Alma del Tango.

Guest artists Debbie Goodwin, Rose Vierling and Erin Malley from the all-women company Tango Con*Fusion and the new Debbie Goodwin Dance Company, will perform a new work.

Performances and Tickets:
Friday and Saturday, February 13 & 14 at 7:30 & 9 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2  & 3:30 p.m. Show runs 1 hour.

Location: Alma del Tango, 167 Tunstead Ave., San Anselmo, CA

Tickets in advance: $20 general seating; $25 premium.  Available at www.almadeltango.org Or call 800-838-3006.
$25 and $30 at the door, if available.

Proceeds will benefit Alma del Tango, a Marin-based non-profit dedicated to encouraging artistic expression and the development of community through Argentine Tango.

 

Filed Under: Learning Tango, Live Tango Music, Milonga Spotlight, Special Events Tagged With: Argentine Tango, Bay Area Tango, Live Tango Music, San Francisco Tango, Valentine's Day Tango

Tango scenes in SF

sflovestango

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

sflovestango
🧨 New year, new beginnings! One happened yester 🧨 New year, new beginnings! One happened yesterday at @thetangodome – first Women's Gathering hosted by @ayano.yoneda.tango, including folks who identify as women.

Part clothing & shoe swap, and part cultivating a safe space to be vulnerable, be generous, be supportive, and be real with each other.

Looking forward to more of this and building a community that keeps involving what tango events can be beyond the dance! 🙌 
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#tango #argentinetango #tangoargentino #tangolovers #womenintango #bayareatango #sisterhood #beyondthedance
As the year-end approaches, many SF local tango ev As the year-end approaches, many SF local tango events have had or will have their last event of 2022 to wrap things up. This year's last Milonga Rubia al Sur happened this past Sunday, Dec 18 with DJ @ayano.yoneda.tango and special performance with visiting artist, @martinalmironartist, and milonga host, Lisette @passion4tango. 

With the holidays coming up and Argentina winning the world cup, dancing tango all night long around Lisette's very own flower arrangements was just the appropriate celebration people needed.

Hosted by Lisette Perelle, Milonga Rubia is held every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month, with current location at Just Dance Ballroom (2500 Embarcadero) in Oakland and a different DJ for each event.

✨ Fun fact - how Milonga Rubia got its name... ✨

Lisette's Argentine friends have always been calling her 'Rubia' because of her blonde hair. One day about 6 years ago, when she was discussing naming this new milonga with @julian_tangosf, he said, “Why not just call it Milonga Rubia?" That's how Milonga Rubia got its name! The event once was in a venue in Emeryville/Richmond. Once Lisette changed venues to a more southern location (Just Dance Ballroom in Oakland), the event's name was changed to 'Milonga Rubia al Sur' accordingly.
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #sundayfunday #milonga #milonganight #socialdancing #bailemos #embrace #tangodancers #bayareatango #oakland #keepdancing #dancingislife #weekendrecap
Last Saturday, Saturday Dec 17, @abrazoqueertango Last Saturday, Saturday Dec 17, @abrazoqueertango hosted their Holiday Bash with performances by @mirabtango and Miranda at @tangodome, a cool art gallery and dance space at 951 62nd St in Oakland.

🏳️‍🌈 Abrazo Queer Tangois a volunteer-run organization, and after expenses, all funds are used to pay for their events and offer discounts to students and folks short on cash. To help the org break even in 2022 and fund its 2023 programs, last Saturday's event was positioned as a fundraiser with a sliding scale $20-$40 for folks to choose how they'd like to show their support, offering a sweet night of performance, community and great music in a magical location. 

Missed the event yet still would like to support Queer Tango? Donations always totally work! Please write *donation* in the comment via your favorite method:
Venmo ➡️ abrazo-tango (Karen Curtis)
Paypal ➡️ abrazoqueertango@gmail.com
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #specialevents #milonga #saturdayvibe #socialdancing #bailemos #embrace #tangodancers #bayareatango #queertango #oakland #keepdancing #dancingislife #weekendrecap
💫 #motivationmonday is not over yet so here is 💫 #motivationmonday is not over yet so here is a quick recap of the International Day of Tango at @greatnorthernsf last night! 💫 Milonga hosted by @julian_tangosf with DJ @loco_chung. 
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#diadeltango #tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #specialevents #milonga #sundayfunday #socialdancing #bailemos #embrace #tangodancers #bayareatango #sanfrancisco #keepdancing #dancingislife #weekendrecap
This Friday night in the heart of San Francisco, t This Friday night in the heart of San Francisco, tango dancers and the public who are curious art lovers had a unique experience with live music performed by local tango musicians and the strategic mix of TANGO • VALS • MILONGA • ALTERNATIVE music by DJ @jonas.aqui of @jxtango at @drawingroomsf_annex, an art • gallery • studio in the Mission district – a free event by the collaboration of @chetangosf, @drawingroomsf and @artistmigration. 

Artists featured:
Sumi Lee (piano) @sfsumi
J Ramada (bass)
Basma Edrees (violin) @basmaedreesviolin
Verónica Freidkes (vocal) @veroverofreidkes

Check out our stories and story highlights for snippets of the performances and tango dancing around art pieces!
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❣️ about Che! Tango SF❣️

All events created by Ramada Salieri and Elaine Chiu are dedicated to providing an inclusive and friendly dancing and learning environment in San Francisco and the Bay Area regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other characteristic or trait.

ONGOING EVENTS
Che! Milonga: Every 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month 
Che! Música + Milonga: Once every quarter on a 2nd Saturday
Milonga Uno: 3rd Saturday of every other month
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❣️ about The Drawing Room SF ❣️

MISSION
The Drawing Room connects community through art to help improve the overall human condition by making art accessible and part of the daily fabric of our lives. 
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❣️about Artist Migration❣️

ANTI CAPITALIST ART
Artist-led curatorial project providing performance and exhibition opportunities to international artists.
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #concert #milonga #specialevent #onenightonly #livemusic #fridaynights #art #tangomusic #contemporarymusic #contemporarytango #womenintango #womeninmusic #artislife  #tangomusicians #musiciansofinstagram #sanfrancisco #california #bayareatango #sflovestango #jxtango
Those who came out to @tangolabruja last night had Those who came out to @tangolabruja last night had an epic evening of dancing and live music with three highly skillful tango musicians’ improvised music – Trio Tangazo, a dynamite tango trio made up of Sascha Jacobsen (bass), Seth Asarnow (piano), and Adrian Jost (bandoneon). 

~~Fun fact~~
Sascha, Seth and Adrian all performed at La Bruja previously - either with other tango ensembles or in duo - but it was the first time all three of them taking the stage together!

📍 @berkeleycityclub 
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#tango #concert #milonga #milonganight #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusic #improvisation #travelingmusician #musiciansofinstagram #california #berkeley #bayareatango #tangomusicians #tangodancers #socialdance #dancingislife #sflovestango
🥧 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so @milongamalevaje 🥧 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so @milongamalevaje is closed for that matter, but here is something different & fun from last Thursday 😉 with DJ @jonas.aqui, courtesy of hosts @tanguera_e, Ramada Salieri and Adolfo Caszarry.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #milonga #milonganight #tangoevent #tangoalternativo #alternativetango #tangonuevo #embrace #bailar #bailemos #socialdance #partnerdance #tangodancers #dancingislife #bayareatango #sanfrancisco #sflovestango
✨ FRIDAY NIGHT TANGO ✨ It’s been awhile sin ✨ FRIDAY NIGHT TANGO ✨

It’s been awhile since Milonga La Genesis (hosted by @julian_tangosf) has live tango music. Last night LEO TANGASSO QUARTET was in the house, featuring @leogassomusic from Montevideo, Uruguay on bandoneon,  @smurfetteshum on piano, Stella Bonilla on violin,  @digsmahler on double bass.

(🎥 @tangonnection, edited by @sflovestango)
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#tango #argentinetango #tangoargentino #specialevent #bayareatango #tangomusic #livemusic #tangomusicians #bandoneon #piano #doublebass #violin #quartet #onenightonly #milonganight #sanfrancisco #sflovestango
👏 The all-female tango ensemble, 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨, wrapped up their 2022 concert tour at @alameda_elks1015, playing for a full house of guests at the @housetango Community Milonga.

𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is a collaboration between powerhouse female tango musicians @sfsumi (piano), @heynisolera (bandoneon), and @teagbby (violin). Their concert on Sunday featured guest bassist @fabricanfabricant and vocalist @teresatam.sing.

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The mission of 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is to present contemporary Argentine tango through virtuosic artistic performance and educational events.  Sumi, Heyni, and Teagan originally bonded in Buenos Aires, drawn by a mutual love of tango music, as well as by a realization of the inequality of professional opportunity for women in the tango genre. They studied under the same maestros and performed with prestigious tango orchestras in Buenos Aires.  They now frequently perform around the world, including in their respective adopted cities of San Francisco (Sumi), Washington, DC (Heyni), and NYC (Teagan). All of the musicians also produce their own music. 
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#tango #concert #milonga #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusic #contemporarymusic #contemporarytango #womenintango #womeninmusic #travelingmusician #heynibando #tour #beautifulwomen #musiciansofinstagram #sanfrancisco #california #berkeley #oakland #bayareatango #tangomusicians
🎉 Saturday, October 22 marked the grand re-open 🎉 Saturday, October 22 marked the grand re-opening of Vecher Tango at the Russian Center of SF!

After a long pause of two and a half year, the magnificent grand ballroom was filled with tango energy again. What made the occasion extra special was the incredible performances by another visiting master couple @javierchikk & @moiracastellano. To top it off, @virginiaychristian "Los Totis" joined Javier & Moira on the floor for a mixed maestros dance!

Shout-out to our dearest friend Davood Yazdani, Julia Schiptsova of Tango Element, and all the local organizers for making this weekend feel like a mini tango festival in San Francisco!
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#tango #argentinetango #argentinetango♥️ #tangoargentino #milonganight #tangoperformance #bailar #bailemos #bailando #tangoshow #tangoevent #tangodancer #tangocouple #specialevent #onenightonly #tangophoto
✨It's a star-struck tango week in SF!!✨ @vir ✨It's a star-struck tango week in SF!!✨ 

@virginiaychristian "Los Totis" have been teaching in San Francisco (brought to you by our very own Davood Yazdani who's in collaboration with Julia Schiptsova of Tango Element!) And we were mesmerized by their fantastic performances last night at the special edition of @milongamalevaje at @verdiclubsf ! 🤩👏
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#tango #argentinetango #argentinetango♥️ #tangoargentino  #tangoperformance #bailar 
#bailemos #bailando #tangoshow  #tangoevent #tangoperformance #tangodancer #tangocouple #specialevent #onenightonly #tangophoto
💫 Exactly a year later, 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨, an all-female tango musician collaboration, has returned to the SF Bay Area!! 

Last night they took the audience on a magical journey to Buenos Aires with a concert-milonga at @tangolabruja in Berkeley. Check out our stories to see more snippets of their performance!

𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is a collaboration between powerhouse female tango musicians @sfsumi (piano), @heynisolera (bandoneon), and @teagbby (violin). The concert last night featured guest singer @veroverofreidkes.

The mission of 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is to present contemporary Argentine tango through virtuosic artistic performance and educational events. Sumi Lee, Heyni Solera, and Teagan Faran originally bonded in Buenos Aires, drawn by a mutual love of tango music, as well as by a realization of the inequality of professional opportunity for women in the tango genre. They studied under the same maestros and performed with prestigious tango orchestras in Buenos Aires.  They now frequently perform around the world, including in their respective adopted cities of San Francisco (Sumi), Washington, DC (Heyni), and NYC (Teagan). All of the musicians also produce their own music. 

Catch them for the rest of their tour!
🔸10/20 (Thur) 10pm, World Folk Jam concert w/ ten other world music groups, Oakland
🔸10/21 (Fri) 7pm, Sebastopol Center for the Arts
🔸10/22 (Sat) 7:30pm, Sunset Music and Arts, San Francisco
🔸10/23 (Sun) 3:30pm, houseTango Community Milonga @ Alameda Elks Lodge, Alameda
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#tango #concert #milonga #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusic #contemporarymusic #contemporarytango #womenintango #womeninmusic #travelingmusician #heynibando #tour #beautifulwomen #musiciansofinstagram #sanfrancisco #california #berkeley #oakland #bayareatango
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