La Bruja Tango

Step into the enchanting world of Argentine Tango with La Bruja Tango, a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to this beautiful social dance in Berkeley, CA. Located at the elegant Berkeley City Club, La Bruja Tango offers a unique opportunity for locals to experience the connection, communication, and improvisational magic of tango. Whether you're a complete beginner curious about the dance or an experienced tanguero looking to deepen your skills, La Bruja Tango provides a welcoming and enriching environment for all.

Argentine Tango is more than just a series of steps; it's a rich and complicated journey towards flow and connection with a partner and the music. La Bruja Tango is committed to guiding students through this journey, emphasizing the fundamental structures that give rise to grace, fluidity, and creativity on the social dance floor. Their approach makes tango accessible to everyone, with a strong focus on fostering a supportive atmosphere where all genders are encouraged to lead and follow, and where queer, trans, and non-binary individuals are explicitly welcomed.

The core of La Bruja Tango's offering revolves around high-quality instruction from renowned teachers like Felipe Martinez and Ayano Yoneda. These highly experienced, full-time tango teachers are celebrated for their challenging yet encouraging classes, making the learning process both rewarding and enjoyable. They prioritize proper technique to ensure dancing is comfortable and enjoyable for both leaders and followers, focusing on movements that are practical and appropriate for social dancing at milongas (social tango dances). Beyond the lessons, La Bruja Tango fosters a lively community, regularly hosting practicas where students can apply what they've learned and milongas featuring live music, creating a truly immersive tango experience.

La Bruja Tango holds its classes and events at the beautiful Berkeley City Club, located at 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA. This prime location places it just a short stroll from the heart of Downtown Berkeley, making it exceptionally accessible for residents across Berkeley and the wider Bay Area of California. For those relying on public transportation, the Berkeley City Club is conveniently located approximately a 10-minute walk from the Downtown Berkeley BART station, providing an easy commute for attendees from various cities. While there is no dedicated parking lot at the Berkeley City Club, plenty of street parking is often available in the surrounding residential and commercial areas, though it's always advisable to arrive a bit early, especially on busier evenings, to find a suitable spot. Additionally, an extra parking option is sometimes available at the nearby Ellsworth Structure at 2337 Haste St for a nominal hourly fee. The building itself, the historic Berkeley City Club, adds to the charm and elegance of the tango experience, providing a beautiful backdrop for learning and dancing. Its central location also means attendees can easily access nearby restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it convenient to grab a bite or socialize before or after classes and events.

La Bruja Tango offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to introduce and advance students in the art of Argentine Tango. Their primary offerings include:

• Beginning Tango Classes: Structured series for total beginners and those wishing to solidify their fundamentals. These classes cover essential steps, connection techniques, and basic musicality. No partner is necessary, as students are encouraged to switch partners.
• Intermediate Tango Classes: Designed for dancers with at least six months of regular tango experience, focusing on more complex figures, technique refinement, musical interpretation, and improvisational skills.
• Practicas: Included with class admission, these are informal practice sessions where students can apply what they've learned, dance with classmates, and ask instructors questions in a relaxed setting.
• Milongas: Social tango dances, often featuring live tango music (such as with local musicians like Tangazo) and a DJ, providing an authentic atmosphere for social dancing. These events offer opportunities to experience the vibrant Bay Area tango community.
• Queer-Friendly Environment: All classes and events are inclusive to queer, trans, and non-binary people, with all genders welcome to explore both leading and following roles.
• Guest Instructors: Occasional classes and workshops with visiting renowned tango teachers from the Bay Area and beyond, offering diverse perspectives and advanced techniques.
• Private Lessons: While not explicitly detailed, it is common for instructors like Felipe and Ayano to offer private lessons for personalized instruction and accelerated learning, tailored to individual goals.

La Bruja Tango is distinguished by several key features and highlights that make it a cherished part of the Berkeley dance scene:

• Expert Instruction: Led by highly experienced and respected full-time tango teachers, Felipe Martinez and Ayano Yoneda, who are praised for their challenging and effective teaching styles.
• Inclusive and Welcoming Community: A strong emphasis on creating a queer-friendly environment where all genders are encouraged to lead and follow, fostering a truly open and supportive atmosphere for everyone.
• Focus on Social Dancing: The curriculum is geared towards preparing students for milongas, teaching practical and enjoyable movements suitable for social tango.
• Historic Venue: Held at the elegant Berkeley City Club, providing a beautiful and inspiring setting for classes and social dances.
• Integrated Practicas: Practice sessions are included with class admission, providing immediate opportunities for students to apply new skills and receive feedback.
• Live Music Events: Milongas often feature live tango music from talented local musicians, enhancing the authentic experience of Argentine Tango.
• Consistent Schedule: Classes are held almost every Wednesday, providing a reliable and regular opportunity for tango enthusiasts to engage with the dance.
• Strong Community Connections: Instructors like Felipe and Ayano are deeply embedded in the wider Bay Area tango community, bringing a wealth of knowledge and connections to La Bruja Tango.
• Beginner-Friendly: Explicitly welcomes total beginners, ensuring a comfortable entry point into the world of tango.

For more information about class schedules, registration, and upcoming events, please contact La Bruja Tango using the details below:

Address: 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA (Classes held at Berkeley City Club)

Phone: (510) 848-7800

La Bruja Tango is an exceptional point of interest and a highly suitable choice for locals in Berkeley, CA, and the wider Bay Area who are looking to explore or deepen their engagement with Argentine Tango. Its fundamental appeal lies in the combination of expert instruction from renowned teachers, a truly inclusive and welcoming community, and a consistent schedule of classes and social events. For those new to tango, the beginner-friendly series offers a low-pressure entry point into this captivating dance, while more experienced dancers will appreciate the depth of the intermediate classes and the vibrant milongas. The commitment to a queer-friendly environment where all genders can explore leading and following roles reflects a modern and progressive approach that resonates with Berkeley's diverse population. Hosting events at the elegant Berkeley City Club adds a touch of historical charm to the experience, making each visit memorable. Ultimately, La Bruja Tango offers local residents not just dance lessons, but an opportunity for genuine connection, cultural immersion, and a fulfilling social experience that enriches the vibrant cultural fabric of the Bay Area.

La Bruja Tango

2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA