Tango Philosophy by Zavio Javier at Dance Fever Sarasota

When I started the Bohemian Sarasota blog, I couldn’t have imagined how richly this city would unfold before me—layer by layer, soul by soul. What began as a way to explore creative spaces and hidden gems has become more profound: a journey through the minds and hearts of the people who make this city breathe. Each conversation, each interview, opens a unique door. I often repeat this sentiment, but it never loses meaning: every encounter is singular and unforgettable. Sitting across from someone who expresses the inner workings of human psychology, emotion, and philosophy—not through theory, but through art, dance, music, and literature—is a rare intimacy. It’s a moment where life feels more expansive and more vibrant.

Through these stories, I learn, grow, and see life through prisms I hadn’t known before. Those who create and bring something original into the world are not just artists. They are messengers. They shape the culture and stretch the boundaries of what we call possible. Being part of that exchange is an honor.

My recent conversation with Zavio Javier is one of those moments. It made me reflect on what real art is—and how it moves through us, silently and powerfully, until it speaks a truth we didn’t know we needed to hear.

Zavio was born in Nicaragua and moved to Sarasota in 1994, after living in Baltimore, Maryland. His journey to dance began with the rhythm of Michael Jackson and the raw energy of breakdancing, but it grew into something far more profound—instinctual, spiritual, and ancient.

Raised in a culturally expressive family, Zavio often danced Salsa and Bachata with cousins at family gatherings—though he didn’t fully embrace it then. It wasn’t until high school that his passion ignited. He discovered breakdancing, which appealed to him for its athleticism and masculine energy. This style transformed how he saw himself. Once a quiet, bullied student who poured his focus into visual art, Zavio began to gain confidence through movement. That path expanded into gymnastics, Capoeira, and later contemporary dance and ballet.

A turning point came during a local Sarasota performance event, EcoFest. Just before going on stage with his breakdance crew, he saw a couple performing ballroom to “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Intrigued by its elegance, he danced spontaneously nearby. The local dance studio owner noticed and later approached him, suggesting he would make a great ballroom dance teacher. At 21, Zavio leaped. He was hired, trained, and eventually earned a teaching certification through the Dance Vision International Dance Association (DVIDA®). Over three years, he advanced through bronze, silver, and gold levels, learning over 30 dance styles—including martial arts movement and Tango, which would later change his life.

Tango didn’t speak to him at first. But at a certain point in his life, he experienced a profound shift—it was then that he truly understood the depth of the dance. He began an intense, obsessive devotion to understanding Tango—its steps and language. Unlike other ballroom styles, which rely on patterns and repetition, Tango is fluid and constantly evolving. “It becomes a live conversation,” he says, “with dynamics, philosophy, and behavioral psychology—all without saying a word.”

He began teaching based on instinct rather than strict logic. “The body never lies,” Zavio often tells students. “Words can be manipulated, but your movement reveals the truth.” In his approach, students are invited to respond without overthinking. He believes many people feel disconnected from dance because they’re trapped in their heads, trying to “analyze” instead of feeling. By teaching through instinct, he helps students break out of this pattern and reconnect with their physical and emotional selves.

Zavio describes dance, especially Tango, as a profoundly primal experience, even spiritual. “Before humans had language, they communicated with movement,” he explains. “Dance was our first language.” He compares the Argentine Tango embrace to a return to that primal human need for connection: “It’s a hug that releases love hormones—it’s not a trick that feeds the ego, it’s a truth that reminds you that you are good.”

Zavio suggests that our true nature is concealed beneath roles, expectations, and learned behaviors. But in Tango, those layers fall away. It becomes a space where the authentic self can emerge—whether playful, instinctive, or deeply human. His classes aren’t about memorizing steps. They’re about inviting instinct back into the body. He rejects the purely logical, academic style of teaching, which he believes keeps people disconnected from their movement. “You don’t catch a ball by analyzing. You do it. Dance should be like that.”

After years of studio work, Zavio left the commercial world. His vision and beliefs led him to start over, teaching independently through Dance Fever Sarasota.

He and his partner, Nicolette, who’s trained alongside him for nearly two years, now rent space at local studios and hold soulful dance events rooted in emotional connection. (Read my article about Nicolette and her other projects here). They first met near Halloween and felt an instant connection, later reconnecting as teacher and student.

Today, Nicolette is far more than a student. With her growing perspective and belief system, she helps teach others and supports Zavio in spreading the tango philosophy. Beyond the dance floor, she’s been instrumental in promoting Dance Fever—helping organize events, produce social media content, and build community. “Our meeting and connection felt like an alignment of the universe,” Zavio says. “Many things happening today wouldn’t be possible without her.”

Together, they are rebuilding the tango community from the ground up—one focused on integrity, openness, and mutual respect. Zavio likens the tango event—called a milonga—to a sacred ritual of movement and instinct. From the moment one enters the room, dance begins—not in steps, but in eye contact, in choice of posture, in body awareness. “You don’t even speak,” he says. “You choose with your eyes, with a nod. You’ve already started the conversation.” From there, instinct guides each connection layer—how close to stand, how much to lead, how far to trust.

Join the Movement.

Dance Fever Sarasota offers weekly group classes and social events open to all levels.

• Tango Lab: Every Tuesday, 8–11 PM

• Milonga Moderna: 1st, 4th & 5th Saturdays, with a group class at 7 PM and social dancing from 8 PM to midnight

• Salsa & Bachata Classes: Every Saturday at 2 PM (Salsa) and 3 PM (Bachata)

• Special Event: The First Milonga at The Gator Club is happening on April 30

You can book classes, view event details, and follow their journey on social media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Email: DanceFeverSRQ@gmail.com

Zavio: 941-822-3997 | Nicolette: 941-586-6231

Dance Fever teaches at various studios throughout Sarasota while searching for a permanent home.