It Takes Two to Tango: Dinner & Dance
Story by Melissa Newman
Photography by Kelley Williams
Imagine a perfect date night. Maybe it’s a plate of pad Thai followed by a movie, perhaps a visit to an art museum and a fancy Italian dinner or a few hours under the stars with a pizza. For Nexus, SLO Ballroom Dance Community Owner Alicia Aragon, dance paired with just about any meal makes for a memorable night out. That’s why she decided to collaborate with fellow business owners in the SLO Public Market to offer a package deal of food and fun.
“My husband and I were talking about how we wanted something we could do that was fun, but it’s harder [to go out] at certain stages of life and we have small kids,” Alicia explains. “In San Luis Obispo, in general, I feel like there isn’t really a lot of stuff to do as couples unless you’re going to go out to eat and go drink. So having a full experience where you have dinner, drinks and you get to do something fun and different together, that is what we wanted to create with the date nights.”
Like finding the right dance partner — someone who shares the same rhythm and speed — Alicia knew she needed to connect with business owners who saw the value and potential of this partnership. Done right, she believed the date night proposition could spell success.
“Even with the best intentions, you need people to have your back because everyone has a different level of experience and something different they can bring to the table,” says Alicia. “I wanted to make it where even the most novice of dancers felt comfortable; it’s more about having fun and connecting with your partner.”
She didn’t have to look far for her first business to partner. Rambling Spirits, a distillery in the Public Market, was happy to join in on the fun. It may not have taken much convincing, however, considering distillery Owners Jon Carpenter and Ariette Armella are married.
“When Alicia brought the opportunity to us, we were really excited to be a part of it,” recalls Ariette. “As [a] young couple ourselves, immersed in business, sometimes you don’t have that time to think about going out. So, we thought it was a really cool idea to create this opportunity for people to connect.”
Couples who experience the Nexus + Rambling night out begin the evening with a carefully crafted cocktail that’s infused with the cultural aesthetics of the dance. To complement the dance component, Ariette and Jon spent hours researching ways to bring in flavors of the Dominican Republic (DR) to match the bachata the date couples will be learning.
“We called the cocktail the Dominican Dark and Stormy, utilizing different types of rum as well as a tamarind reduction we created in-house as a syrup,” says Ariette. “We also did mamajuana on the rocks; it’s a special rum that comes from the DR that is aged with tree bark, honey and secret spices. It is known for having medicinal and aphrodisiac properties.”
But those international flavors aren’t always easy to find locally. Ariette and Jon traveled to Los Angeles to secure the mamajuana to make the cocktails as authentic as possible. “What we are always trying to do is provide the best value we can to whoever comes to our business. We put a lot of thought into everything,” she explains. “Everything we make, we will drink ourselves.”
Staying true to the Dominican, for dessert cocktails, Rambling makes a chocolate de maní, a beverage traditionally made out of peanuts, milk, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.
“The event couldn’t have happened without their hard work,” gushes Alicia. “The presentation of the food and cocktails were amazing. What they know about food, drinks and hosting is brilliant. All of these different skills and talents come together to help us all rise.”
Other Nexus partners include Bottlecraft, Kitchen & Vine, Baht and Humble Oven (formerly known as Torricella). And just as flavorful as the cuisine are the styles of dance they’re paired with; Argentine tango, West Coast swing, kizomba and urban kiz are just a few. Alicia considers dancing a way to communicate without words, connecting people in unique ways; the same can be said about food, which she hails as exceptional here.
“[I hope to dispel] any misconceptions of the Public Market being a food court,” she explains. “The restaurants here are so good in quality; I eat here on my days off. There is nowhere in the market that I wouldn’t recommend someone eating.”
During these cultural date night events, people may expand not just their dance skills but their palates as well. As for the couples who participate in Aragon’s classes, proof of the chemistry is in the pudding – or whatever dessert is on the menu that night. “We’ve already had people get engaged from meeting in our space,” says Alicia. “So that’s life affirming to me that we built this space for a reason.”
