One can feel the warmth, seeing the steam roll off the windows.  Red mood lighting, the pulse of blues music playing in the background, comfy old couches, smooth but funky wood floors, and full length mirrors alongside an antique firefighter’s pole describes a typical scene at Firehouse 5.  Their fuel is music, and the dancers in close embrace are the matchsticks.

The building on the edge of downtown that once housed one of Sacramento’s first motorized fire engines has evolved into one of the region’s most eclectic dance venues and hangouts. It’s a place where students come from UC Davis or even Chico so that couples can dance tango, blues or west coast swing, which combines lindy and swing moves from the 1950s with contemporary music such Lady Gaga or the Black Eyed Peas.

“It feels like a club but there is no pressure to have to buy a drink,” said co-owner Dan Printz. Firehouse 5 does not sell alcohol or food. It only offers a chance to dance and make friends. It’s where people who love to dance for hours can get their fix while those who are curious but clueless can practice without being embarrassed.

From the outside, it’s a nondescript gray building, with antique remnants of an old firehouse station that opened in 1913 located on 9th Street between U and V. One can be easily fooled by the subtle exterior, but a walk through the doors reveal this cool, casual, come-as–you-are haven for dancers of all ages to collaborate.

Printz was a jazz musician for many years. In 2006, he found the location when he was helping some of his friends establish a same-sex tango community project. Although that project never came into fruition, the idea for Firehouse 5 was born and refined to include a modern mix of dance forms.

“It started out with (co-owner) Chris Peake and dance partner, Kendra teaching tango classes and branched from there,” Printz said.

Currently, Firehouse 5 offers lessons in salsa, blues dance, west coast swing, traditional Argentine tango and Tango Alternativa, which combines tango moves with electronic music. Except for a salsa class for kids, the instruction is geared to adults. But the venue, which its scuffed wooden floor is popular among the college crowd and many high school students who want to try partner dancing in place that feel more hip than a ballroom.

Sunday is the most popular night. It starts at 7 p.m. with a beginner lesson in blues of West Coast Swing. Then there is a three-hour open dance where novices and veterans move from partner to partner without jealousy or pretense. The DJ alternates a blues numbers with pop hits. Couples dance close blues, west coast swing or whatever hybrid mix of discipline they brought with them. For example, Jay Prabhu was in a dance group in India and then learned west coast swing, then blues at Firehouse 5 to combine them into a unique style.

“I first took the beginner blues class but I didn’t dance afterward. I watched for about two or three lessons till I got the hang of it,” said Prabhu, an engineering student from California State University, Sacramento. “Now, I come here regularly, it’s a needed break especially when I have a Sunday night free.”

There is also a “welcome steal dance” where newcomers are partnered with more experienced dancers who take turns cutting in on each other to welcome the first-timers.

In addition, to regular classes, there are workshops by traveling, top-level dance instructors such as tango innovators Homer and Christina Ladas or Mihai Banulescu, who teaches blues. West Coast Swing, which holds competitions, has been taught by champions such as Ben McHenry, Chuck Brown, Nick Jay, Nick King, and Shane Gomez.

“Our goal is to create a non-profit to promote tango, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, salsa, and blues at this downtown location,” Printz said.

Besides Firehouse 5, Printz also promotes dance events at other venues. The market for tango, and blues dancers overlaps a little but can be very different. By promoting partner dance in general in Sacramento, Printz found a formula that is both good for the community and makes for a livelier dance scene.

Firehouse 5 currently doesn’t offer open salsa dancing. But salsa instructor Nicole Lazo has a devoted following of grownups on Monday nights and kids (ages 6 to 16) on Wednesday evenings. Nicole Lazo is unusual among dance teachers because she started learning to teach the dance just as she was learning it herself from Fahad four years ago.

“I knew from the beginning that I wanted to teach dan ce,” said Lazo, who perfectly looks the part of the long-legged, high-heeled hot salsera – until she carries her six-month old son in a sling while she teaches.

“I was dancing right up until I gave birth,” said Lazo, smiling at her baby. “His first dance was inside me.”

Lazo’s gentle manner makes it easy for newcomers trying to learn to travel on a dance floor at salsa speed. She helps kids get over their inhibitions about dance.

“I teach kids at their own level. They are a great group.”

Jenny McDonald-Fernandez also knows how to connect with kids through body movement – and that made her a fan of Lazo. McDonald-Fernandez, who only has one arm, teaches first grade at Elliott Ranch School in Elk Grove. She started as Lazo’s student and now helps her teach.

“Dance is great for your self-esteem. It helps you become more comfortable with your body and with moving around,” McDonald-Fernandez said. “I’ve taken classes with guys but Nicole taught me how to really move like a woman.”

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