Michelle Gorre and Chris Peake

Photo By Beth Baugher

When Chris Peake first started dancing the tango, he was turned off by the so-called “golden age” tango music he was hearing around town. “I would think, ‘Why the hell would anybody want to dance to that old music?’” he says. His frustration was part of the impetus behind Tango alterNATIVA, which is exactly what it sounds like: a tango alternative. Every Thursday night, plus some Saturdays and Tuesdays, Peake and dancing partner Michelle Gorre co-host tango events including lessons, practicas and milongas (dance parties) at Firehouse 5 Dance studio in downtown Sacramento. The vibe is casual, friendly and nonintimidating, according to the duo, and the music is a hip mix of modern tango, traditional tango and even nontango. “Chris and I have danced to Bob Dylan, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses,” says Gorre. Their alterNATIVA approach “has opened the door to people who maybe haven’t connected with the traditional music,” she says. “We have something different to offer.” For more information, visit tangoalternativa.com or call (916)799-1952 or (916)705-2157.