Tango by the River

I’m in my second month coming here and I love the program. Tango is rather complex and challenging to learn, but the instructors guide you along the way and they provide onsite assistance to see that your getting better. The atmosphere matches the dancing and I always learn something new during each class. They hold dances on 2 Saturdays a month, which provides a great social atmosphere as you get to practice your tango skills.

Amazing and I won a month of Tango lessons here through a silent auction generously donated to the Aerospace museum. We finally decided to use them this month.
Donna REALLY knows her stuff, and she and her instructing partner really establish themselves as credible dancers in a short period of time. A few lessons in, and Amazing and I are truly having a great time, and we are likely to continue these lessons after our month is up.
And I tell ya what… this is what some younger people should be doing. More people should know some traditional dance, and the interaction you get with all kinds of people in a setting like this is incredible.
I can’t recommend this place more.

Every time I visited Old Sac I would always see this place but never wander inside. I saw a special event offer on their website and had no excuse not to check it out! Attended a free one-​hour Introductory Tango Lesson at the end of the month, which included a two-​hour Practica afterward.
The moment you walk up those stairs, you can just hear the music draw you in, and the whole feel of the place was even more inviting and transported you to Buenos Aires (if you weren’t already enjoying the Old Sacramento vibe)! I had taken Argentine Tango classes before in Davis so la caminada, ochos, and la cruzada were nothing new, but more like a refresher after four years away. The first hour we only covered the tango walk and the cross, line of dance.
It was also a good excuse to dress up, grab those old heels and just dance and have a good time. I didn’t bring a partner but there were enough men and women to pair up for every song or two, rotating in between. The instructors Donna and Nicholas were awesome, funny, patient and fun! Real pros.
During the practica/​milonga some of the regular intermediate students showed up and it was an open dance floor, with traditional and modern tango music. I had an opportunity to dance with Nicholas (the co-​instructor) and as the conversation flowed the dancing came easily. It also helps of course with this sort of dance to have an amazing leader to guide you across the floor without crashing, and choreograph the dance in real-​time.
Beginners, I still prefer the closer rather than open embrace just for communication purposes. I like Donna’s saying, that if you change dance partners often that will make you a better dancer since you can adapt to anyone’s style. I didn’t partake in the special pricing offer which included private lessons, but this is a nice hidden gem that I may revisit in the future!
Parked in the nearby garage, didn’t remember to ask if they validate.

A specialized dance studio in the Big Tomato that’s quite special. Tango only; no salsa, swing, waltz, bachata, or even the electric slide. And not Arthur Murray’s salon style either (dancers will understand that phrase). Just Argentine Tango.
As soon as I walked in, I could tell that Donna, the owner/​operator, puts a lot of effort into setting the atmosphere. Dark wood paneling. Dance-​related photos and paintings. Plants (plastic, but who’s complaining?). Wine bar. A tourbook of Buenos Aires.
I’m far from being a tanguero, salsa is my bag, so there’s a lot I’ll miss in this review. But I’ve been to tango classes in a few different locations now, and all have their distinctives. Donna is different from Emeryville’s Nora Dinzelbacher, but is just as good. She aimed to get the crowd (and it was a crowd, free night!) doing AT and feeling comfortable doing it. She joked about one facet of discomfort, the close embrace, and has a way of putting people at ease about the sudden evaporation of your personal space. And no dreaded 8-​count basic that starts AGAINST the line of dance. Emphasis on technique.
I could see the results. I personally did far better. And my partners didn’t have much of the nervous «am I doing this right?» grimace nor the self-​appointed instructor mindset; they were relaxed and having a good time too.
It’s a good date night place, if the two of you have any interest in AT. BUT discuss ahead of time if you’ll dance with other people or not, and revisit the question at least twice while at Tango By The River. There is a reason it’s called open/​close *embrace* instead of open/​close *position*. .. Here’s a solution: There’s a difference between love of the dance and love of the person. So you could think «love of the dance» with other people, then dance with each other and do «love of the person shown through a lovely dance» ;-)
I hope to be back soon. .. it’s far better than Annabelle’s Pasta. ..

I’v ebeen taking classes here for almost 5 months… A-​MA-​ZING experience ! Love love loves it! Donna (the instructor) is a beautiful dancer and teaches in a very understandable way… (She dumbs it down really nicely for people like me… :) I’m addicted to this dance studio and the people that attend. Any desire to learn tango. this is the place to go.

I think that the biggest issue for me is finding a regular partner.
In all sac tango events, there are too many females interested in dancing and not enough males. So, going by myself is fine except, disheartening when I sometimes don’t get to dance as much with classes or without. I would be more practiced (I think – speculation) if I had me a partner to continuously practice with. But what is great is that it seems like the tango community is growing in Sacramento. The community is very nice!
The only venues I’ve attended have been the Old Town Sac, TBTR, location and the Firehouse. I haven’t felt completely comfortable at either location yet, though there have been a few people who welcome me often.
At most events, people come in pairs and they stick to people that they are familiar with most of the time. In a way, as most social events, people formed clicks and socially segregate themselves as such.

This has provided an incentive for me to get into far better shape!

I started going to taking Argentine Tango at TBTR in November. It is fantastic. I have wanted to do this for years — and finally got the nerve up to do so. Not only are their classes reasonably prices ($ 50/​month) — you have several options: Tuesday or Saturday classes and Thursday classes with a practica. You can also do drop-​in prices too.
Each month they focus on different types of tango. I haven’t gotten bored yet ;).
They also bring in maestros to do workshops. I was lucky to take a few workshops with Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas. It was mind-​blowing. To quote Oscar, «No vacations here!»
In addition to the instruction, they also give you resources for top-​notch tango shoes (helllo NeoTango shoes) during select times. Usually posted on their website.
Finally, I love that you can pay for your lessons, workshops, milonga entrance fees online via paypal. You can also purchase it at the studio or downstairs in the Visions of Eden. But being a geek as I am — I’d rather do it online and leave my wallet at home. Well, unless they are selling shoes that day :)

As a dance instructor who does not dance tango, I have to say I have had nothing but good experiences with the studio. I have used the studio to teach as well as run a weekly venue with several friends, and the venue is beautiful. Also in a great part of town. If you plan on learning how to dance, I woud reocmmend TBTR to anyone.
Great date idea or new relationship idea: sign up for a dance series… its not too expensive there, get dinner in old sac somewhere, get some ice crea, and then go take your class at Tango. I promise it will be a good night.

I’ve been dancing here for years and can say with all confidence that this is the place to be for Argentine Tango in Sacramento. The tango community is very intimate and they share a lot with one another. One thing I can say about the owner/​instructor here is that she is REAL. She is there for one reason — she wants to see people dance tango. Her enthusiasm for the dance (and all that is Buenos Aires) is obvious. Her dance partner is also top of the line and will steal your breath with his awesome moves.
The milongas (every 2^nd and 4^th Saturday) are mystical and sultry, with the lights dimmed and candles aglow. Couples glide around the floor to traditional tango music, giving pause only to indulge in the generous appetizers and wine that are included in the inexpensive admission. If you’re looking for a good date idea, go to one of the milongas. It’s only $ 15 for lesson, milonga, and refreshments! You can’t beat that.
All in all, I will say that this is one of my favorite places to be. I look forward to ringing in the new year at the NYE milonga. Hope to see you there!