Sydney Grant
Tango Workshops

Tango Workshops with
Sydney Grant

Portland, OR - March 19 - 23, 2026

Organizer: Josh Castillo

Stay tuned for details.

Save the date

March  19 -23, 2026

To register, schedule a private lesson, or for more information please email Josh Castillo at joshua@castillowellness.com 

Sidney Grant — Tango Dancer & Instructor

Sidney Grant’s career spans ballroom, Latin and Argentine tango. He has earned a reputation for both technical skill and advocacy for more inclusive, open-role tango. 

Background & Experience

  • Originally trained in ballroom dancing, Grant has over two decades of experience teaching and performing partner dances. 

  • His path towards Argentine tango began about 15 years ago; a transformative experience seeing a tango show convinced him to commit to the dance. 

  • He is known professionally also as “Dr. Dance,” reflecting a broader dance background and his versatility as an instructor across styles. 

Achievements & Distinctions

  • Sidney Grant was the first openly gay man and North American to win the U.S. Argentine Tango Championship — an important milestone both for his career and for representation in the tango community. 

  • He is recognized for bringing tango to diverse communities. Through his program Ballroom Basix, Grant has taught partner dancing (including tango) to tens of thousands of schoolchildren across New York City public schools — spreading dance, connection, and joy to new audiences. 

Teaching & Philosophy

  • He champions inclusive and open-role tango: in his workshops and classes he encourages dancers to choose the role they feel comfortable with, regardless of gender. This approach reflects his belief that tango should transcend traditional gender roles and embrace all who love the dance. 
  • For Grant, tango is more than choreography — it’s connection, expression, and community. He often speaks about how tango can dissolve boundaries and create intimacy beyond dance. 

Performance & Community Role

  • Grant frequently performs and teaches in New York and beyond. He and Claudio Marcelo Vidal have served as instructors for events such as the NY Queer Tango Weekend — showcasing tango with open roles, and celebrating diversity in the tango world.

About Sydney Grant


Sidney Grant (“Dr. Dance”) is a New York–based tango champion, performer, and instructor known for his advocacy of inclusive, open-role tango. The first openly gay and first North American winner of the U.S. Argentine Tango Championship, he teaches and performs internationally with Claudio Marcelo Vidal. Founder of Ballroom Basix, Sidney brings skill, artistry, and heart to every class he teaches.

Location

 

Tango Berretin

6305 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR 97206

Jose Garofalo
Portland Tango weekend

Jose Garofalo
Tango Weekend

Portland, OR - March 4-11, 2026

José Garófalo – Bio

José Garófalo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Between 1979 and 1983, he studied art under renowned artist Guillermo Kuitca. During this period, he also began participating in theater pieces, performances, and street actions where dance and theater became essential elements of his artistic expression.

In 1987, he began studying tango at the Centro Cultural Rojas and, in the same year, joined the Tango Ballet of the University of Buenos Aires.

José trained with influential milongueros and maestros, including Miguel Balmaceda and Nelly, Pupi Castello, Tete Rubin and Maria, Carlos Gavito, Gustavo Naveira, and Rodolfo Dinzel. He expanded his choreographic knowledge with Pedro Calveyra, Graciela González, and Marcela Trappe, and studied stage arts with Emilio García Wehbi.

Since 2007, José has served as President of the Civil Cambalache Association and has directed the annual Festival Cambalache in Buenos Aires since its founding in 2004. He has worked as a tango teacher at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires since 1998.

He is also a member of Troesmas, a research group dedicated to preserving and transmitting the knowledge of maestros who are no longer dancing in the milongas. Since 2011, he has directed the Compañía Tragicómica Tanguera, and he has been represented as a visual artist by Vasari Gallery since 2007.

José Garófalo lives and works in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Stay Tuned for more info

Jose Garofalo

From Buenos Aires, Argentina

José Garófalo, born in Buenos Aires, is a celebrated tango artist, teacher, and interdisciplinary creator. Trained by legendary milongueros and deeply rooted in Buenos Aires culture, he combines dance, theater, and visual arts in his work. He is the director of Festival Cambalache, president of the Civil Cambalache Association, a longtime tango professor at the University of Buenos Aires, and founder of the Compañía Tragicómica Tanguera. José continues to live and work in Buenos Aires, sharing and preserving the heritage of Argentine Tango.

Jose will be offering classes in historical forms of tango, as well as modern, experimental explorations of tango now! Jose is a relaxed, funny, experienced teacher with 30+ years of tango under his belt.

SAVE THE DATE

March 4-11-2026

There will be group classes, small group intensives and private lessons.

More info and schedule of classes:

 https://dancewithjoystudios.com/

To pre-register for workshops or schedule a private lesson with Jose, send an email to: support@dancewithjoystudios.com  or call 503-236-8160

More info: www.dancewithjoystudios.com

  • Location: Dance with Joy Studios  8051 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Location

 

Dance with Joy Studios

8051 SE 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97202

Maxi and Paloma
Portland Tango weekend

Maxi & Paloma
Tango Weekend

Portland, OR - December 4-8, 2025

Paloma Berrios & Maximiliano Alvarado are internationally acclaimed dancers from Santiago, Chile, with more than 28 years of experience together. Trained in Buenos Aires by renowned tango masters, they bring authentic Argentine Tango to stages and studios worldwide.

More info and schedule of classes:

 https://dancewithjoystudios.com/palomamaxi2025

To pre-register for workshops or schedule a private lesson with Cecilia, send an email to: support@dancewithjoystudios.com  or call 503-236-8160

More info: www.dancewithjoystudios.com

  • Location: Dance with Joy Studios  8051 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Maxi’s and Paloma’s international career includes top prizes at world competitions, performances at iconic milongas, and teaching tours throughout South & North America and Europe. Based in Miami, they are featured instructors at major festivals including Valentango, Tucson Tango Festival, Tango on the Rocks, ATUSA, and many more.

Celebrated for their close-embrace salon style, musicality, and joyful teaching, Paloma & Maximiliano bring authenticity and inspiration to every class and performance.

On December 6–7, Paloma & Maximiliano will be in Portland, Oregon, offering a special series of Argentine Tango workshops.

Maxi & Paloma

From CHILE

Paloma Berrios and Maximiliano Alvarado, originally from Santiago, Chile, have danced together for more than 28 years. From a young age, they inherited their passion for Argentine Tango from their families and immersed themselves deeply in the art form. Their training took place both in Chile and Buenos Aires, studying with renowned Argentine masters such as Carlos and Rosa Perez, Eduardo Pareja, Fernando Galera, Romina Levin, Silvia Toscano, Fabián Peralta & Josefina Bermudez, and Los Totis, among many others. Through this lineage, they carry the authentic knowledge, culture, and spirit of Argentine Tango.

Their talent has been recognized on international stages:
2nd Place – 2007 World Tango Championship, Buenos Aires
1st Place – 2008 TAFISA Trex Games, South Korea

They are proud members of AMBCTA — the Association of Masters, Dancers, and Choreographers of Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires.

Performers & Teachers

As performers, Paloma and Maximiliano are known for their dynamic energy, precision, and irresistible charm on stage. As teachers, they specialize in salon tango, emphasizing a close, comfortable embrace while encouraging elasticity, fluidity, and authentic connection in the dance.

They have performed in many of Argentina’s most iconic and traditional milongas, including Milonga del Moran, Cachirulo, Parakultural, Seguime si Podes, La Baldosa, Yira Yira, and Si Tango.

International Presence

Now based in Miami, Florida, they continue to share their love of tango across South and North America and throughout Europe. Their performances and workshops have taken place in countless casinos, convention centers, hotels, and television programs.

They have been invited to teach and perform at many of the most prestigious tango festivals in the United States and Mexico, including:

  • Valentango (Portland, OR)

  • Tucson Tango Festival (AZ)

  • Tango on the Rocks (Denver, CO)

  • Pittsburgh Tango Festival (PA)

  • Windy City Tango Fest (IL)

  • ATUSA (San Jose, CA)

  • Albuquerque Tango Festival (NM)

  • San Diego Tango Fest (CA)

  • NOLA Tango Fest (LA)

  • Burning Tango (CA)

  • Miami Sunshine Tango Fest (FL)

  • Las Vegas Tango Festival (NV)

  • Bajío Tango (León, Mexico)

  • San Miguel de Allende Tango Festival (Mexico)

  • Puerto Vallarta Tango Festival (Mexico)

In 2022, they completed a three-month tour across the United States with the Tango Argentina Company, reaching thousands of new tango enthusiasts.

Mission

Paloma and Maximiliano are dedicated to promoting Argentine Tango and its cultural heritage around the world. Their approach blends joy, connection, and authenticity—inviting dancers of all levels to experience one of the most passionate dances in the world.

Location

 

Dance with Joy Studios

8051 SE 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97202

As you are Practica (weekly)

As You Are (AYA)
Tango Practica

Friday Practica:

12:00pm - 2:00pm

🌸 Introducing AYA – A Weekly Midday Tango Space 🌸
Fridays, 12–2 PM at Tango Berretin
Begins August 8, 2025

Come as you are.
Tired and in pajamas? Fancy and feeling good? In workout clothes and ready to sweat? However you are — you are welcome.

AYA is a warm, safe, and supportive space to dance, rest, connect, or simply be. I’ll be there each week to host, guide, and offer light snacks and flowers. Expect great music from a rotating lineup of talented DJs and, of course, lots of dancing!

✨ My hope is that AYA becomes:
– A nurturing and inclusive community
– A place where beginners feel safe and seen
– A space where artists can relax, explore, and rediscover themselves through tango

🫶 Suggested donation: $5 (or pay what you can)
I’m keeping the cost as low as possible to make AYA accessible to all, especially in these challenging times.

Let’s build something beautiful, together.
See you on the floor — or the couch — at AYA. 💕

Location

 

Tango Berretin

6305 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR 97206

Veronika Kruta
Tango Workshops

Tango Workshops with
Veronika Kruta

Portland, OR - Oct 31-Nov 3, 2025

Organizer: Alex Krebs

Stay tuned for details.

Save the date

For the workshops schedule and more information visit www.tangoberretin.com/workshops-with-veronika

To register, schedule a private lesson, or for more information please email Alex Krebs at tangoberretin@gmail.com

Check the schedule of classes here

Veronika has studied with many world-renown instructors, explored a variety of styles from salon, milonguero, and nuevo, and is fluid in both the roles of follower and leader as well as different modes of embrace including close, open and everything in between.

She currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she hosts yoga and tango retreats several times a year, and travels to teach workshops abroad.

About Veronika Kruta


Veronika has been dancing tango since 2005 and teaching since 2011. Known for her clear, effective and encouraging style, she brings a charismatic presence to the classroom. With a background in yoga, fine art, and life coaching, Veronika’s teaching is rooted in a deep understanding of anatomy, body mechanics, creativity and personal growth. She is passionate about strong fundamentals, believing they empower students to dance with confidence, authenticity, and expressive freedom.

Location

 

Tango Berretin

6305 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR 97206

Brian & Elizabeth Nguyen
Portland Tango weekend

Brian & Elizabeth Nguyen
Tango Weekend

Portland, OR - August 10-19, 2025

More info and schedule of classes:

 https://dancewithjoystudios.com/workshops-events

To pre-register for workshops or schedule a private lesson with Cecilia, send an email to: support@dancewithjoystudios.com  or call (503) 704- 5617 8160

More info: www.dancewithjoystudios.com

  • Location: Dance with Joy Studios  8051 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Brian & Elizabeth Nguyen

From Los Angeles, CA

 Well respected by the tango community in Buenos Aires, Cecilia is an exceptional dancer who has worked with the most renowned Argentine dancers of her generation since 1995. She combines strong movements with wise softness getting, without effort, the most powerful synthesis.

The technical precision, fluidity of her movements and notable capacity of improvisation characterize her dance.

Cecilia shares her extensive knowledge and passion with her students. She is a very appreciated and requested tango teacher and has been continually invited to give workshops and participate in festivals around the world. Since its inception in 1999, she has been a member of the teaching faculty of the Argentine International Tango Congress (C.I.T.A) held annually in Buenos Aires.

Location

 

Dance with Joy Studios

8051 SE 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97202

Tango Benefit milonga At Norse Hall

Special Thursday Milonga
at Norse Hall

Thursday, April 3, 2025

SCHEDULE:

WHEN: Thursday, April 3, 2025

WHERE: Norse Hall111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

TIME:

  • 7:30-8:30 pm Pre-Milonga Lesson with Elizabeth Wartluft!
  • 8:30 pm-Midnight Milonga – DJ: Jerry Wallach
  • 9:30-10:30 pm Live Tango Orchestra – Alex Krebs Septet
  • 8:30 pm-Midnight Full Bar

ENTRY: $20 minimum suggested donation at the door.

ALL REVENUE WILL BE DONATED TO

THIS EVENTS IS 100% VOLUNTEER RUN.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s shiny shoes on May 24, 2024

HUGS, Jerry Wallach
jerry.wallach@gmail.com

Facebook Event

DJ: Great Jerry Wallach

LIVE TANGO ORCHESTRA WITH THE ALEX KREBS TANGO SEPTET

 

Location

 Norse Hall

111 NE 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232