What we’re about
What is tango?
Argentine tango is an improvised social dance that emerged in Buenos Aires and Montevideo at the turn of the 20th century. Often hailed as sensual, passionate, dramatic and dangerous, the true beauty of Argentine tango lies in its accessibility. In essence little more than walking in someone else’s arms, the dance offers something for practitioners of all ages and physical abilities. Indeed, tango communities the world over are notable for their intergenerational character. At the same time, the practice of tango affords infinite room for growth, complexity and refinement. Utterly simple and endlessly challenging, Argentine tango is a social activity that can be a lifelong one.
What is the purpose of this meetup?
We gather information about opportunities to learn and dance tango in the Philadelphia area. From free beginner trial classes to a once-yearly four-day tango festival, we offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn and enjoy tango.
(Thanks to anthropologist Carolyn Merritt for the great description of tango included above.)
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Beginner Tango Classes & Social Dance: Start any week! No partner required!Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, Philadelphia, PAUSD 25.00
A fun and friendly beginner tango class. New beginners are welcome every week. No partner required!
Everyone learns both roles (leading and following) in a supportive environment.
Students are invited to stay for a social dance, the Palermo Fishtown Milonga, which starts right after the class. The milonga is free for those who take the class, except on live music nights.
8-9 pm: Beginner Tango Class
9 pm-midnight: Palermo Fishtown Milonga (an all-levels Argentine tango social dance)Cost:
Drop-in: $25
5-class card: $110
10-class card: $200The class is free for students ages 30 and under. Just bring an ID to prove your age and sign up at the door, if you qualify for free entrance.
Please bring smooth-soled shoes to change into in the studio (i.e. shoes that allow you to pivot easily). If you don’t have anything that fits the bill, don’t worry! Dancing in socks works great! Or you can buy dance socks to put over any shoes.
- Tango with Winnie: Workshops, Lecture, Concert and Live Music Social DancePhiladelphia Argentine Tango School, Philadelphia, PAUSD 35.00
Tango with Winnie Intensive
July 28-30, 2025
We are so excited to have the Tango with Winnie Sextet back in Philadelphia for three days of events celebrating the music of one of today’s greatest tango pianists and composers, Julian Peralta. Yes, “sextet” means six professional musicians, traveling to Philadelphia mid-week to provide an amazing array of tango learning, listening and dancing opportunities. Please buy a full pass and support this unique and amazing event! You can see a snippet from their 2024 concert in Philadelphia here.
Musicians:
Winnie Cheung, bandoneon
Clint Popetz, bandoneon
Janice Lee, violin
Zacarías Grynberg, cello
Laura Camacho, bass
… and a surprise pianist!MONDAY, JULY 28
Two MOVING Musicality Workshops, taught by Tango with Winnie and Meredith & Andres
For tango dancers at all levels + tango musicians
7-8:15 pm: The Building Blocks of Tango Music and the Crucial Elements of Tango Movement - How They are Related
8:15-9:30 pm: The “Swing” of Tango Articulations and the Use of “Motifs” in Tango Music & Dance
Available in studio and by zoomTUESDAY, JULY 29
Pizza Dinner + Lecture (Counts as one activity)
7-8 pm: Dinner (We’ll provide pizza, salad and dessert. If you’d like to contribute something more, you are welcome!)
8-9:30 pm: Lecture Demonstration and Q & A: “Historical Development of Tango Music: Tracing influences from Africa, the Atlantic Coast and the Argentine interior”
If you can’t make it to the studio, you can join us at 8 pm on zoom for the lecture.WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Concert + Live Music Milonga
7:30-8:45 pm: Concert Presentation of Julian Peralta’s music by the Tango with Winnie Sextet
9 pm-midnight: Palermo Fishtown Milonga featuring LIVE MUSIC for dancing and DJ Ignacio Ondartz
If you can’t make it to the studio, you can enjoy the concert only on zoom.Pricing in advance (by Sunday, July 27):
Single activity - $35
Two activities - $65
Three activities - $90
Four activities - $112
All five activities - $135
Please note that the Tuesday events (dinner + lecture) count as one activity for pricing purposes.At the door:
Each activity $35 with no discount for multiple activitiesFull-time students may always take 20% off with the discount code “FTstudent.”
- Beginner Tango Classes & Social Dance: Start any week! No partner required!Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, Philadelphia, PAUSD 25.00
A fun and friendly beginner tango class. New beginners are welcome every week. No partner required!
Everyone learns both roles (leading and following) in a supportive environment.
Students are invited to stay for a social dance, the Palermo Fishtown Milonga, which starts right after the class. The milonga is free for those who take the class, except on live music nights.
8-9 pm: Beginner Tango Class
9 pm-midnight: Palermo Fishtown Milonga (an all-levels Argentine tango social dance)Cost:
Drop-in: $25
5-class card: $110
10-class card: $200The class is free for students ages 30 and under. Just bring an ID to prove your age and sign up at the door, if you qualify for free entrance.
Please bring smooth-soled shoes to change into in the studio (i.e. shoes that allow you to pivot easily). If you don’t have anything that fits the bill, don’t worry! Dancing in socks works great! Or you can buy dance socks to put over any shoes.
