My Events Bridge Blog

Milonga Rubia with DJ Ayano

Once upon a pre-COVID time, when Allegro Ballroom still existed in Emeryville, Lisette was teaching tango there on Sundays. I’d occasionally sneak into her classes—back when “pivot” meant a dance move, not a life strategy.

“Milonga Rubia” is Lisette Perelle’s twice-monthly Argentine tango event at Just Dance Ballroom in Oakland. It happens on the first and third Sundays of the month, each time with a different DJ to keep the music fresh.

Getting There

📍 Just Dance Ballroom
2500 Embarcadero, Oakland
🕖 7:00–11:00 PM
💵 Entry fee: $20 — cash only
🍷 BYOB encouraged! (Snacks, soft drinks, and wine are available on site.)
🚗 Parking: Ample and free — a Bay Area miracle.

I arrived right on time (yes, one of the first people!). That’s actually a smart move when visiting a new venue—you can scout the space, warm up, and avoid the awkward “where do I put my shoes?” moment.

The Venue Vibe

The ballroom is huge—early in the night you might feel like a Lilliputian in Gulliver’s Travels. But once more dancers arrive, all that space becomes a gift—perfect for long, gliding tango walks when your leader spots the opportunity. On this floor, you can expand from small, intricate steps to powerful strides that make you feel like you own the night.

Round tables and wall-side chairs surround the dance floor. Pick any unreserved seat and tuck your shoes underneath.

The Dancers and the DJ

I went that night because our radiant tango teacher Ayano Yaneda was DJing. She spotted me right away, and I told her, “I came for you!”

Most of the dancers here are regulars, so almost every leader who invited me said they hadn’t seen me there before—true! (Translation: You’re new blood—welcome to the floor!) When they asked where I usually dance, I smiled: “Everywhere listed on My Events Bridge.”

At one point, Ayano introduced a couple who sat at my table—new to this milonga like me—and just like that, new tango friends were made. That’s the magic of milongas Social tango parties where people dance, mingle, and watch others dance. : shared rhythm becomes instant connection.

I also spotted one of my very first tango teachers, Marcelo Solis, dancing with his wife. Normally, as a follower, you wait for a cabeceo The subtle eye contact or nod a leader gives to invite you to dance—usually from across the room. . I broke tradition and asked him directly—he kindly accepted. He’s a master of the tango walk, and I floated through every beat.

Later, while catching my breath between tandas Sets of three or four songs played in a row with the same style or orchestra. , Ayano smiled and said, “You got some good tandas tonight.” She was still watching her student from the DJ booth—how sweet is that? I stayed until the very end, happily exhausted.

Who Will Enjoy It?

Every milongaTango social event—each has its own atmosphere, music, and crowd. has its own flavor. Milonga Rubia leans friendly-regulars-with-room-for-explorers. If you’re new or visiting, you’ll still find your place on this generous floor.

Questions or missing details? Email me at myeventsbridge@gmail.com — I’m happy to help.

Why My Events Bridge?

This isn’t just a calendar—it’s a living, breathing map of connection. And yes, Milonga Rubia sits inside the broader ecosystem that helps our Bay Area tango scene thrive. If this post helped you find your next tanda, consider buying me a coffee ☕—it keeps the bridge open and the spirit flowing.