Adapted Tango Program
Tango Mercurio’s Adapted Tango Program provides the scientifically proven therapeutic benefits of partnered and improvised social dance to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) through a safe, interesting, and fun adaptation of traditional Argentine tango. Developed by dancer and neuroscientist Dr. Madeleine Hackney, and inspired by the Tango Therapy Project in Philadelphia, the Program consists of two parts: training for instructors and two five-week pilot series for people with PD and their caregivers.
We received so many applications for the training session, we’ve had to add several new slots and may still have a wait list! If you are interested in future sessions, please contact us to get on our mailing list.
Free classes for people with Parkinson’s
Our free pilot series of weekly 1.5-hour classes for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers start on September 17. Volunteer instructors trained in our Adapted Tango Program and safety protocols for working with people with PD will provide support. In these classes, we use a “practice embrace” in which partners hold elbows and maintain more distance than in traditional tango. Each class begins with a seated warm-up, standing exercises with the support of a chair or wall if necessary, then walking and partner work, dancing, and socializing, as well as breaks as needed.
Classes will be held Wednesday mornings at 11:00 am on the main George Washington University campus in DC. No dance experience or partner is required to register. The first series will run September 17 - October 15, 2025: apply here by September 3; the second series will be October 22-November 19, 2025 : apply here October 8.
This Program is partially funded by a generous grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Please help us make up the difference by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign. Thank you for your support!
Adapted Tango Program (SOLD OUT)
Weekend Intensive Training
With Dr. Madeleine Hackney
Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 5, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Saturday, Sept. 6, 11am–5pm
Sunday, Sept. 7, 11am–5pm
Venue:
Post Hall, George Washington University
Mount Vernon Campus
2100 Foxhall Rd NW
Washington, DC 20007
Instructor:
Dr. Madeleine Hackney
Associate Professor of Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology
Links:
Adapted Tango Program GoFundMe.
