ORQUESTA Z
The Original Tango Band that premiered at Empanada Milonga in 2013 and has returned to entertain our tango dancers with their superb mix of traditional, alternative, and original tangos. They've played throughout the Bay Area from San Jose to Mt. Shasta's Burning Tango, Marin's Belrose, Emeryville's Allegro, and multiple times at Tango in the Square in San Francisco, but by far the favorite venue is the intimate, sunny, and sweet afternoon Empanada Milonga.
​EMPANADA MILONGA
at St. Clement's, 2837 Claremont Blvd., Berkeley
SUNDAY JULY 11, 2025
1:30-2:30 PM TANGO CLASS
MAXI COPELLO & KARU TERENZIO
2:30 - 6:00 PM EMPANADA MILONGA
featuring the great DJ, DON AN
+ live tango music from OZ4
Orquesta Z
p r e s e n t s
The fabulous dual from Argentina, Maxi Copello & Karu Terenzio, have been sweeping the USA on their annual tour...don't miss their wonderful personal workshop as well as their demo this month. Maxi has taken the mantel from his legendary father Carlos Copello, and with his new partner from Buenos Aires, Karu Terenzio, have become the popular representative of the Copello Clan!
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They will teach this month a special class of "sacadas", the subtle entry and displacement of the partners step, but this time in close embrace. If you've seen them dance, you know what a treat this is.
Here's a link: https://youtu.be/o0mKV_bB00E
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DJ Don An
Our guest DJ and co-host of Empanada Milonga is the well-known and popular DJ Don An.
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The regular host of Dance Boulevard Milonga in San Jose, Don mixes his unique music to the desires of the dancers, which means Golden Era tango, but not afraid of alternative tango.
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He is joined by the live tango music of Orquesta Z Quartet who presents original and alternative tango to the delight of the dancers.
Orquesta Z Trio performs 6 alternative tangos at Empanada Milonga, St. Clement's Berkeley on May 14, 2023.
Bendrew Jong (piano), , Sandy Schniewind (bass), and Emily Bouton (violin)
Orquesta Z Trio performs 6 alternative tangos at Empanada Milonga, St. Clement's Berkeley on May 14, 2023.
Bendrew Jong (piano), , Sandy Schniewind (bass), and Emily Bouton (violin)
Orquesta Z performs Piazzolla's Tanti Anni Prima (1984) at Empanada Milonga at St. Clement's Berkeley on March 13, 2022.
Colleen Henry (piano), Joe Powers (harmonica), Sandy Schniewind (bass), Carol Brave (violin), Ben Jong (bando), Graham Blackburn (sax)
Orquesta Z performs Androgyne + original tango Yo Si Te Quiero at Empanada Milonga in Berkeley on September 12, 2021
Ben Jong (bandoneon/vocal), Barbie Wong (piano), Wakeford Gong (violin), Sandy Schniewind (bass),
Orquesta Z performs Una Vez (Pugliese 1946) at Tango in the Square, Union Square, San Francisco, CA on September 4, 2016.
Sandy Schniewind (bass), Wakeford Gong (violin), V. Perenyi (violin), Barbie Wong (piano), Didem Kurt (kanun), Ben Jong (bandoneon)
Orquesta Z performs Fresedo's 1943 version of Canto Del Amor at the Belrose Milonga in San Rafael, CA on Oct 27, 2013.
Colleen Henry, piano, Sandy Schniewind, double bass, Jim Shallenberger, violin, Carol Braves, violin, Bendrew Jong, vocal
Esta Noche composed by Roberto Russo performed by Orquesta Z at Empanada Milonga, Berkeley, California on 11/9/2014.
Barbie Wong (piano), Sandy Schniewind (Double Bass), Wakeford Gong (violin), and Bendrew Jong (bandoneon)
Orquesta Z live at Burning Tango, McCloud, CA (June 29, 2014)
Barbie Wong (keyboard), Sandy Schniewind (bass), Jim Shallenberger (violin), Gail Machlis (violin), Bendrew Jong (vocal)
Orquesta Z performs Ella Es Asà at Empanada Milonga, Berkeley, CA on Feb 7, 2016.
Sandy Schniewind (contrabass), Viki P. (violin), Didem Kurt (kanun), Bendew Jong (bandoneon/vocal), Barbie Wong (piano)
Orquesta Z live at Union Square Live, San Francisco, CA (9/7/2014) performing Balada Para Un Loco by Astor Piazzolla
Barbie Wong (piano), Jim Shallenberger (violin), Carol Braves (violin), Gail Machlis (violin), Bendrew Jong (vocal)
Orquesta Z performing Seduction by Bacalov at the Empanada Milonga in Berkeley, CA on November 9, 2014.
Barbie Wong (piano), Sandy Schniewind (double bass), Wakeford Gong (violin), Bendrew Jong (bandoneon)
Original tango performed by Orquesta Z at Empanada Milonga in Berkeley, California on April 4, 2015.
Music: Bendrew Jong Lyrics: Cristina Bensaduon
Orquesta Z (3/24/2013) at Empanada Milonga, Berkeley, CA
Bendrew Jong, vocal, Resh Michael Ortega, bandoneon, Carol Braves, violin, Jim Shearer, double bass, Rebecca Trujillo, piano
Orquesta Z (4/28/2013) at Empanada Milonga, Berkeley, CA performs Campo Afuera (1939) by Rodolfo Biagi y Homero Manzi.
Colleen Henry piano, Jim Shearer bass, Carol Braves, Ingrid Burger & Jim Shallenberger violins, Resh Michael Ortega bandoneon,
Bendrew Jong vocal