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
7
- $30.00
Concert / Lecture with Pianist Mariano Castro + All Levels Class and Milonga
Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, 2030 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USJoin us for a special treat on Wednesday, December 17. We’re so excited to welcome brilliant Pianist / Lecturer Mariano Castro back to Philadelphia. Learn more about Mariano (and listen to an interview that Meredith conducted with Mariano in 2019) here. Please note schedule and pricing changes for this event.
7:00-8:00 pm: ALL LEVELS TANGO CLASS - Ignacio & Meredith (Whether you usually come to our intermediate class at 7 pm, or the beginner class at 8 pm, please come at 7 pm on 12/17)
8:15-9:30 pm: BUENOS AIRES FROM THE PIANO - A lecture/demonstration by Pianist Mariano Castro
9:30 pm-Midnight: PALERMO FISHTOWN MILONGA with DJ Ignacio Ondartz and some surprises
Pricing:
Class: $25 or use your class card or monthly pass
Lecture + Milonga: $30
Milonga only: Sliding scale $15-25 or use your monthly pass
REGISTER NOW1 attendee - $40.00
Holiday Milonga, Tango Social Dance with Live Music and All Levels Class
Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, 2030 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USWe’re pulling out all the stops with a Blowout Holiday Milonga Qilombo on Saturday, December 20!
We’ll have, for the first time at PATS, Master Bandoneonist Tito Castro, performing with pianist Maurizio Najt. Tito Castro performed with the orchestras of Demare, Varela and Salamanca, among many others. And he has accompanied singers as prestigious as Mercedes Sosa, Placido Domingo, and Roberto Goyeneche. It is a huge honor to have him perform at our milonga for the very first time. You can read the extensive biographies of the musicians here.
The pre-milonga class will be taught by Phi Lee Lam and Karen Johnson. It is SUCH a joy to have Phi Lee back in Philadelphia to teach after a long break.
And we’re incredibly excited to welcome back to PATS after FAR TOO LONG, DJ Manuk Colakyan. Please join us to celebrate tango and community on Saturday, December 20!
8:30-9:30 pm: All Levels Pre-Milonga Class - Phi Lee & Karen
9:30 pm-2 am: Milonga Qilombo with LIVE MUSIC by Tito Castro & Maurizio Najt and DJ Manuk Colakyan
PRICING IN ADVANCE:
through 12/19 at midnight
Class + Milonga: $40
Milonga only: $25
REGISTER NOW
PRICING AT THE DOOR:
Class + Milonga: $50
Milonga only: $352 attendees - $50.00
NYE 2026 Milonga, Tango Social Dance and All Levels Class
Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, 2030 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USWhat’s the best way to make sure 2026 is a wonderful year? That’s right… DANCE INTO IT!
Join us for our first New Year’s Eve milonga in many years on Wednesday, December 31. The event features an all-levels pre-milonga class, taught by Andres Amarilla & Olesya Kershaw. And our surpassingly awesome DJ will be Jorge Fernandez! Absolutely not-to-be-missed!
8-9 pm: All-Levels Tango Class - Andres & Olesya
9 pm-3 am: NYE Milonga with DJ Jorge Fernandez
TICKETS IN ADVANCE
Available through Sunday, December 28 at midnight
Class + Milonga: $50
Milonga Only: $35
REGISTER NOW
TICKETS AT THE DOOR
If not sold out
Class + Milonga: $65
Milonga Only: $502 attendees - $80.00
Two-Day Beginner Intensive, No Experience Needed - Start 2026 with Tango!
Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, 2030 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USTwo-Day Beginner Intensive - Start 2026 with Tango!
Our Two-Day Beginner Intensive offers a fun and efficient way to jump-start your tango, in the course of one weekend. The Intensive covers the basics of tango movement and communication in a friendly environment in which everyone tries both roles.
No experience or partner necessary! Tango is about dancing with everyone, so we rotate partners throughout the class.
Saturday & Sunday, January 10 & 11
2-4 pm each day
If you are starting out, please plan to take both Saturday & Sunday classes. If you have completed our beginner program in the past, you are welcome to take a single day.
Please bring socks to dance in, or shoes that have smooth soles for easy and safe pivoting.
Dates
Saturday 01/10/2026 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday 01/11/2026 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Pricing:
Full intensive: $80
Single day: $50
REGISTER NOW1 attendee
Past events
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