Empanada Milonga

Why We Picked This Event

The teachers were Diego Lanau and Alejandra Saravia, and the DJ was Thomas Jabusch, one of the original DJs of Cellspace from its heyday. As I was already carrying my own Cellspace vibe from the Wednesday night, the possibility of finding more of this vibe on a Sunday afternoon milonga naturally attracted me to this event.

I had previously attended Empanada Milonga when Diego and Alejandra were teaching there again in August 2024. Way before that, back in June 2015, I remember dancing to “Çok Uzaklarda,” the Turkish version of “Tango Evora,” at the same place.

Best for: intermediate tango dancers, curious beginners who want to observe, fans of live music or traditional tango, and anyone who believes empanadas improve social courage.

What Is “Orquesta Z”?

The event is hosted by Orquesta Z. Orquesta Z is the original tango band founded by Jong around the end of 2010 and premiered in 2013 at Empanada Milonga. Orquesta Z specializes in a mix of traditional, modern, and unique repertoire, which has included the 1931 Turkish tango composition “Son Nefes” in June 2015, when I had the chance to watch a live singing performance by Bendrew (Ben).

Ben primarily plays the bandoneon in the band, but his music training started with piano when he was 6. He was born in Sacramento but grew up in Berkeley. Orquesta Z plays 3–4 events per year and practices in a small studio in Benicia. Ben has his own tango compositions, and he has also been a competition and rehearsal coordinator for ATUSA (Argentine Tango USA) championships for a while now.

Event Details

About the Location

St. Clement's Episcopal Church in Berkeley, located at Claremont Boulevard and Russell Street, moved to its current redwood building in 1909. Designed by architect Willis Polk in the English country church tradition, the church is a historic landmark featuring redwood construction and Judson Studios stained glass. Empanada Milonga is held in the social hall, which has a nice stage and piano. The location has round tables with chairs and individual chairs around the room.

A Quick Guide to Feeling Ready for the Night

Shoes

Proper dance shoes with leather or suede soles are helpful for easy pivoting, either heels or flats. One person was wearing colorful sneakers, and another was wearing socks, so the bottom line is: wear whatever makes you feel comfortable while dancing.

This is a church wooden floor, and that day the floor was particularly slippery for both me and my friend. We sneaked out of the hall, gave our soles a quick water break in the garden, and enjoyed some breeze.

Dress Code

This is a traditional milonga. The majority of the women were wearing colorful, floral dresses welcoming spring on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Men were wearing smart-casual, comfortable clothing, typically a dress shirt, suit trousers or smart slacks, and leather-soled dance shoes.

Partner

No partner is needed; you can dance with anyone.

Asking for a Dance

CabeceoThe leader looks at the follower, the follower meets the leader's eyes, the leader nods, and the follower responds to the nod with a nod. rules are followed.

Skill Levels

Intermediate level. But if you are a beginner living in Berkeley or the surrounding cities, and you are curious about what a milonga looks like, it is worth a visit. You can enjoy a delicious empanada, especially if that particular month also offers live tango music.

If you are brand new, the class may feel more comfortable than jumping straight into the milonga, and observing for a few tandasA set of tango songs, usually danced with the same partner before a short musical break called a cortina. is completely acceptable.

Snacks & Water

The event takes its name from its famous homemade empanadas prepared by Susan, a volunteer, Empanada Milonga community member, and dancer. Don’t worry about skipping lunch. The empanadas seem emotionally prepared for that situation. You will never leave hungry. Lots of snacks, cheese and crackers, spreads, different homemade salads, and enough food to make the afternoon feel welcoming before you even step onto the floor.

Vibe

Other than 6–7 people I knew — yes, the six-seven meme has apparently entered tango attendance reporting — most faces were new to me. Many seemed to be Empanada Milonga regulars — people Bendrew knows by name — but not necessarily dancers I had seen often at the other milongas I have visited so far. As Bendrew describes it, the event has the feeling of a sweet Sunday afternoon milonga. In this event, the tandas consisted of 3 songs.

Crowd Size

55–60 people for the milonga; 25–30 people for the class.

Stories from the Dance Floor

Familiar Face from Another Tango Event

We had shared the last tanda at the live-band tango event at Ashkenaz, and he had also attended Diego’s class. He praised Diego and Alejandra’s teaching style and mentioned that he felt that both Diego and Alejandra really wanted the participants to learn something. Despite the number of people, they were both very attentive and paid full attention to each couple.

He followed the instructors to their classes and was very happy about the class. And just like me, another reason he chose the event was that the DJ was from the original Cellspace. Yet we did not experience any alternative tandas at the event. It was quite traditional.

Another Story of Finding Our Ways Back to Tango

He started dancing tango 16 years ago and enjoyed the dance scene and environment, but he took a long break after becoming frustrated over time. Eventually, due to some changes in his life, he found the courage to come back, and he has been attending tango classes and events for the last four months.

He was very objective when it came to evaluating the different instructors and their classes. He mentioned that the frustration still returns from time to time. He was also very direct in encouraging me to start practicing leading. Maybe one day, maybe sooner than I think. Who knows?

A Real Tango Moment: Feedback, Boundaries, and Staying Kind

One small moment from the dance floor stayed with me. It did not define the afternoon, but it offered a useful reminder about something that can happen in any tango space. Sometimes, during a milonga, a partner may start giving feedback or instruction while you are dancing. This is different from a prácticaAn informal, educational, and experimental Argentine tango practice session where dancers can work on technique, try movements, ask questions, and exchange feedback., where pausing, experimenting, and exchanging feedback are part of the purpose. A milonga is usually more about social dancing, connection, and enjoying the tanda together.

When it happened to me, I was caught off guard. I stayed until the end of the tanda because I did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and because I kept hoping the next song would simply become a dance. In that moment, I realized I was trying to be nice while also wishing I had protected my own comfort a little earlier.

I saw it as one of those human moments that can happen on any social dance floor. Tango brings together many personalities, habits, intentions, and levels of awareness. Most people are not trying to be unkind; sometimes they are trying to help, but a milonga may not always be the right moment for feedback.

For newcomers, I think this is useful to know: if you receive feedback during a milonga and it does not feel comfortable, you are allowed to respond gently. You can smile and say, “Thank you, I’d rather just dance,” or “Can we save feedback for after the tanda?” And if the dance still does not feel good, it is okay to say thank you and take a break.

The tango floor can become a small mirror of real life: connection, kindness, hesitation, and boundaries all show up there. I am still learning how to balance being gracious with being honest about what feels good for me.

And yet, the same afternoon held something entirely different. There are moments at a milonga when, if you are already with someone you know, a small question between songs feels natural and welcome — almost like a quiet conversation inside the dance. That is where I found one of my favorite moments of the day. I was dancing with a familiar female leader, and at some point I felt I had missed a step, or responded differently than she expected. I asked her about it between songs. She said everything was fine and fun — and honestly, that made me smile. Both kinds of moments belong to the same floor, and maybe that is what makes tango feel so alive.

Summary

If you want to follow your favorite tango teachers, enjoy delicious empanadas on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and mingle with the regular dancers of this community, Empanada Milonga can be a good opportunity for you. With rotating teachers, rotating DJs, and occasional live bands, each second Sunday can feel a little different. If you like dancing to live bands, check My Events Bridge for 2nd Sundays in Berkeley and follow Empanada Milonga’s schedule.

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