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Tuesday Night Tango in Ventura
Since Spring 2009, local dancers in Ventura have been getting together informally on Tuesday evenings to play music, socialize, and practice + share Argentine Tango.
Overview on Tuesday Night Tango in Ventura
Candlelight Kitchen + Bar 211 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura — in the old "Landmark 78" Building, on the NE corner of Santa Clara + Figueroa
Tuesday Evenings — starts around 7:30 pm, goes until 9:30 ... or later No Cover * ... although the dancers typically buy some food + drinks
* On those occasions when the práctica is actively supervised or a special event unfolds, participating dancers may be invited to make a small donation.
Atmosphere + Format
Part informal práctica and part spontaneous milonga, the Tuesday Night atmosphere is very casual and low-key, and the dancers friendly and welcoming — with an emphasis on having a good time, improving their Tango, and practicing + sharing what they know with each other.
The dancing gets under way about 7:30 pm, and runs until 9:30 or so ... or, if the energy's up and people are having a good time, often dancers will stay on to 10:30, 11:00, even later.
On any given night, a wide variety of people might stop by and spend some time on the dance floor — including experienced tango dancers, those just beginning their investigations of Argentine Tango, and many who have already mastered West Coast Swing or other forms of dance and are looking to explore new territory.
Altogether, this mix of perspectives + kinetic backgrounds helps foster an open-mindedness and generosity of spirit that makes it easy to delve into new situations, encounter the unexpected, confront old habits + limitations, unlock stubborn issues, and coax new skills + ideas into view. A relaxed sense of freedom is the rule, cross-pollination is common, fresh insights are the norm.
Naturally, newbies, onlookers + the tango-curious help round out the scene.
There's no cost or cover to enjoy the music and dancing, although dancers will often buy food and drinks during the evening to help justify their presence in a working restuarant.
On those occasions when the práctica is actively supervised — or when there's a special event, visiting instructor, or guest DJ — the hosts may decide to "pass the hat" among participating dancers to help support + expand the range of tango possibilities on these Tuesday Nights ... but such donations are entirely voluntary.
Space + Restaurant
The room itself is "L-shaped," the back bar and lounge of the restaurant, featuring over-sized chairs, marble coffee tables, and myriad artistic details. The all new wood floor is smooth pine, not yet fully sealed, but far superior to the old surface — with more room than ever for dancing.
Like its sister location in Simi Valley, the Candlelight in Ventura has a full bar and offers Contemporary American + Fusion / Eclectic dining, so your appetites beyond tango should be well covered.
Built in 1912, the "Landmark 78" building has a rich history ... including a resident ghost, "Rosa." Plenty of parking on the street, or in the restaurant's private lot next door.
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Candlelight in Ventura
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Dance Space at Candlelight
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Map + Driving Directions
Map to Candlelight — 211 E. Santa Clara Street, Ventura — from Google Maps ...
Driving from Los Angles + points south:
- Take the 101 Freeway (northbound) to Ventura. Exit at "California" (70A)
- Continue on California to Santa Clara + Turn Left. Candlelight is on the Right, at Figueroa.
Driving from Santa Barbara + points north:
- Take the 101 Freeway (southbound) to Ventura. Exit at "Ventura" (70A)
- At the end of the ramp, continue straight on Ventura to Santa Clara, turn Right, go two blocks. Candlelight is on the left, at Figueroa.
B.Y.O. Music
There is no "official D.J." at these Tuesday Night Tango gatherings, so the accomodating staff at the Candlelight turns over the keys to their top-drawer sound system, and the dancers themselves step up and provide the music.
If you have something you'd like to hear while you practice or dance — whether it's classic tango, something of more recent vintage, or a completely new sound — bring it along and contribute it to the evening's mix.
Your iPod will always dock directly into the house system, and your music on audio CD will most often play on a boombox provided by one of the dancers. Laptops and other mp3 players will also cable into the boombox, when it's available ...
And since many of the regulars have impressive backgrounds in West Coast Swing, Salsa and other forms of dance, don't be surprised if a non-Tango break or two erupts during the evening.
Calendar
For upcoming dates, please see the calendar listings on:
Contacts for Tuesday Night Tango
Local Ventura-based dancers are the organizers and hosts of Tuesday Night Tango in Ventura. To check in with one of them before stopping by, please contact:
Bob Leho — or — Tom Kelley
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