Get an inside glimpse of what's to come in the Sacramento Ballet's season by attending one of the company's "Red Hot Valentine Nights," featuring excerpts from Second Before the Ground, Nine Sinatra Songs and Frankie & Johnny.

You'll enjoy a studio show experience more intimate than on the stage followed by tango lessons with the help of the dancers themselves.

Friday night, two movements were showcased from Trey McIntyre's Second Before the Ground (a lighthearted energetic dance set to the music of the Kronos Quartet).

In excerpts from Michael Smuin's Frankie and Johnny, dancers performed a mambo, incorporating a makeshift bar to give the audience a sense of the party.

The dancers especially shined in their paired performances to Frank Sinatra's most unforgettable songs in an excerpt from Twyla Tharp's Nine Sinatra Songs, described by Ron Cunningham as both a ballet and Broadway success.

The dances were sensual and romantic; the effortlessness of their movements allowed the audience to forget for a moment the incredible strength and athleticism involved.

After an ovation, Ron Cunningham invited the audience to stay for more drinks and dancing.

The tango instructor assured the pairs around me that "if you can walk, you can tango."

I didn't believe him. But I gave it a shot, allowing myself to be led around in the capable hands of John Whisler, who debuted as a dancer at age 8 and went on to apprentice and later contract with the Sacramento Ballet company.

"We're like a family," he said. "Ron and Carinne are like ballet parents."

Whisler, who claims to be hopeless as a tango dancer, said he nonetheless enjoys Red Hot Valentines Nights because the dances incorporate new styles with traditional ballet.

"It keeps things interesting," he said.

Cunningham seems to have a knack for that, supplementing a program of classic masterpieces with upcoming events like "Beer and Ballet" night and a Drag Queen Bingo benefit.

Red Hot Valentines Nights will run again next weekend, on Feb. 5 and 6, leading up to Nine Sinatra Songs, which will run every night of Valentine's weekend.

For tickets and more, visit the Sacramento Ballet website.