Orquesta Z
p r e s e n t s
​EMPANADA MILONGA
at. St. Clement's, 2837 Claremont Blvd., Berkeley
SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2026
1:30-2:15 FREE INTRO TO TANGO
We thought this was a perfect time to offer a free introduction to Argentine tango class to start the summer.
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Dan Gilliland has been devoted to the art of Argentine Tango for over 14 years. He has performed as a featured dancer many times in the Bay Area, most recently with a lovely partner two weeks ago at St. Clements, at the premiere of a new tango performed with a full orchestra. St Clement's own TRTSO.
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Many in the audience wanted to know where they could start learning tango, and Dan has volunteered to teach a free intro to tango class with his partner before our Empanada Milonga. (Donations always appreciated!)
2:30-6:30 LIVE MUSIC MILONGA + DJ
FEATURING OUR FAVORITE TANGO ENSEMBLE
ORQUESTA Z TRIO
PERFORMING BOTH TRADITIONAL & NUEVO TANGO
Our favorite band for the past 13 years, Orquesta Z, in this iteration, is a trio composed of Ben Jong (piano), Sandy Schniewind (bass), and Ruth Kravis (violin) performing both traditional, original, and alternative tangos that are fun to listen to and of course to dance to!
PLUS, OUR GUEST DJ
ROMAN ZAPATA
THE POPULAR DJ FROM SACRAMENTO!
Roman a well-known DJ from Sacramento, and is a great tango dancer himself and musical instructor.
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He has DJ'd and danced throughout the Bay Area and is well-loved.
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His influence was that great DJ Emilio who started Roman in his quest to be another fine DJ in Emilio's heritage.
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About Orquesta Z
Read the article from Berkeleyside
In addition to all being life-long musicians, we are tango lovers and dancers who wish to share the passion, the joy, the sadness, and the intimacy that is unique to Argentine tango.
We feel there is room to not only enjoy the richness of the past, but to bring the present into our music, including nuevo tango and our own compositions...but being led by a director who himself is an avid dancer, we know that the key to all of our music is that dancers have to share our passion and joy we have for the tango.
This will be our 9th year of bringing live Argentine tango to the San Francisco Bay Area. As of 9/23/13 Orquesta Z is a registered California 501(c)3 non-profit.
ORQUESTA Z: CURRENT
Bendrew Jong, bandoneon/vocal
Sandy Schniewind, double bass
Emily Bouton, violin
Elena Bouton, violin
Debra Feiger, piano
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ORQUESTA Z: ALUMNI
Victoria Perenyi, violin
Gail Machlis, violin
Jim Shallenberger, violin
Wakford Gong, violin
Joy Graham, violin
Ingrid Burger, violin
Carol Braves, violin
Catherine Jolly, cello
Tenzin Peterson, cello
Rebecca Trujillo, piano
Colleen Henry, piano
Barbie Wong, piano
James Shearer, double bass
Resh Michael Ortego, bando/vocal
Didem Kurt, kanun
Lynn Ewing, accordion
Mailing Address:
Orquesta Z
Bendrew Jong, Director
241 W J St
Benicia CA 94510
(925) 818-0800