My Events Bridge Blog

Tango at The Beat with Felipe & Ayano – A Survivor’s Guide

If you’ve ever thought tango dancers were a little bit dramatic, wait until you meet the ones who stay on the dance floor until 12:30 am on a Tuesday morning (Monday night). Yes, that’s a thing, and yes, I’m one of them. Welcome to The Beat in Berkeley, where Argentine tango legends Felipe Martinez and Ayano Yoneda turn a normal weekday into an adventure of “Yes, No, Maybe” answers, endless pivoting, and the traditional midnight survivors photo — complete with a clock in the mirror as proof of just how late we stayed.

What’s The Beat, and Why Should You Care?

The Beat is a beloved tango venue at 2560 Ninth St #119, Berkeley, CA 94710 (The Parker Plaza Office Complex). It’s home to Felipe and Ayano’s weekly intermediate class + práctica. These two aren’t just teachers; they’re tango royalty in the San Francisco Bay Area. With 25–30 years of teaching experience between them, they’ll have you feeling accomplished and challenged at the same time.

The Schedule (aka Your New Monday Routine)

8:15–9:30 pm: Intermediate tango class. Felipe demonstrates a move, Ayano floats through it like it’s second nature, and the rest of us try to remember whether we’re in parallel or cross system (yes, that’s a real tango thing).

9:30 pm–12:30 am: Práctica — think of it as tango’s rehearsal dinner. You can practice, ask questions, or just observe. Unlike a formal milonga (tango party), people are allowed to stop mid‑dance, talk, and even laugh when someone’s foot mysteriously ends up in someone else’s butt (more on that later).

Some folks leave after class. Others show up only for the práctica. The true warriors? They stay till the bitter end for the survivors photo, which gets proudly posted on the Tango at The Beat Facebook page.

What to Wear

Comfortable clothes and tango shoes. If you usually dance in heels at a milonga, consider tango practice shoes — your feet will thank you around midnight.

Fees & Check‑In

It’s $20 (cash, Venmo, or PayPal). Pay at the desk, where a friendly volunteer — probably also a dancer — will welcome you and check off your name.

Parking & Transportation

Don’t stress: there’s usually plenty of street parking nearby. If you’re taking public transit, check schedules — BART doesn’t always stay out as late as tango dancers do.

Logistics (Because Even Tango Needs Paperwork)

If you haven’t attended since 2021, there’s a short Google form to fill out before joining. Find the link by clicking “event details” on our tango events page. You’ll also see fees, payment options, and other useful info (like whether you still have time to grab boba beforehand).

Do You Need a Partner?

Nope. Partners rotate during class. You’ll hear the magical words “change partner,” which is both a relief (“yay, new human!”) and a challenge (“oh no, new human!”). Every partner feels different, so it’s the fastest way to grow.

Teaching Style — Interactive with a Side of Comedy

Felipe has a degree in education, and it shows. After explaining a move he’ll ask: “Yes, No, Maybe?” Brave souls say “No” or “Kind of,” and then he and Ayano break it down again. It’s a safe space for admitting you have no idea what just happened.

They don’t announce class topics in advance (keeps life spicy), and they don’t do a big end‑of‑class demo. Translation: pay attention. You’ll piece together your own patterns from what you’ve learned — like tango Lego blocks.

The Music

• Tango tandas: usually 4 songs
• Vals or milonga tandas: usually 3 songs
• Final tanda before the survivors photo: 5 songs, ending with La Cumparsita (because tango law says so)

Fun Fact from the Dance Floor

On August 4, 2025, while dancing during práctica, I was suddenly kicked squarely on the butt. Not by my partner (rude), but by one of two very tall guys practicing in front of me. I didn’t even see it coming — my back was turned, the gap between couples was huge, and yet… their legs reached. Physics at work. It was shocking, hilarious, and a tango first for me. We all laughed and kept dancing — though my right butt cheek is still a little offended.

The Future

Felipe & Ayano are teaching at The Beat until November 2025 before they jet off for international tango adventures. They’ll be back in May 2026, though they might pop into the Bay sooner. Stay updated on their next class via My Events Bridge.

For Absolute Beginners

If you’re brand new to tango and have never danced before, the intermediate class at The Beat may feel overwhelming (like being dropped into calculus when you just learned multiplication). Don’t panic — Felipe and Ayano also teach beginner classes, just not at The Beat.

Start here: Find Beginner Tango Classes

Once you’ve built some basics, you’ll enjoy the Beat’s intermediate class and práctica so much more. That said, it’s a very welcoming community, and even simply watching a práctica can be inspiring — so if you’re curious, you can absolutely give it a try.

Why I Keep Using My Events Bridge

Because all the dance events I care about are one click away. Whether you’re a first‑timer searching for dance events in the San Francisco Bay Area or a long‑time dancer hunting for your next tanda, start with MyEventsBridge.com. You never know where the night will take you… probably to a midnight photo and an unexpected dance floor adventure.