Free for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers
Adapted Tango Program
The scientifically supported benefits of partnered, improvised social dance for people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders — through a safe, interesting, and fun adaptation of traditional Argentine tango, here in Washington, DC.
Why adapted tango works
A recent New York Times article on “tango therapy” showed how dancing tango is helping Parkinson’s patients in Argentina — Tango Mercurio brought that same evidence-based approach to Washington, DC in 2025.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson’s disease is the second most-common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, affecting 1.1 million people in the U.S., with nearly 90,000 diagnosed every year. There is no known cure — but physical activity can maintain and improve mobility, flexibility, and balance, and ease non-motor symptoms too.
Balance & gait
Adapted tango offers motivated practice in the real-life skills Parkinson's makes hardest: walking forward and backward, initiating movement and stopping it, placing the foot, and coordinating the whole body. Research shows adapted tango can improve balance, gait, and movement initiation.
Rhythm & cognition
Varying speed and rhythm, navigating among others, and sustaining attention keep mind and body working together — moderate physical activity that helps dancers build new neural pathways. Studies link adapted tango to gains in spatial cognition and overall quality of life.
Connection & mood
Working with a partner and synchronizing your movement offers a safe space for touch, social connection, and community — social interaction that research has demonstrated boosts happiness and well-being, and activity that can ease non-motor symptoms such as depression.
How a class works
Every class pairs group instruction with one-on-one attention: alongside the lead instructors, a team of trained volunteer assistant instructors works individually with participants throughout, so each dancer gets hands-on guidance at their own pace. The whole program follows the Adapted Tango method developed by neuroscientist Dr. Madeleine Hackney of Emory University for older adults and people with movement disorders.
Watch a video of a typical class, hear testimonials from participants, and meet the instructor team.
Seated warm-up
Every 1.5-hour class begins with a seated warm-up, easing into movement — with breaks whenever you need them.
Seated & standing exercises
Standing exercises, rhythm exercises, and learning a new move, building on seated foundations at your own pace.
Partnered dancing
Dance with different partners and switch lead–follow roles using the “practice embrace”: partners hold elbows and keep more distance than in traditional tango.
Music & live performance
A seated music-education segment covers the history of tango music, dance, and lyrics — and every series includes one live music performance, plus time to socialize.
The program in practice
“The volunteers were wonderful. They brought so much positive energy to the dance.”
Eighty-three percent of participants to date cite the instructors as their favorite part of the program — a friendly, encouraging environment.
Join the fall series
All classes are free and open to people with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders and their caregivers — enrollment is required. For more information, email info@tangomercurio.org.
Our program is partially funded by generous grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club, and the Retirees Association of the Inter-American Development Bank, along with many generous donations from individuals. Please help us make up the difference by contributing below - the more resources we have, the more classes we can offer. Thank you for your support!
- When
Series 4 for All Levels: September 2, 2026 – October 7, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Enroll here
Series 5 for All Levels: October 14, 2026 – November 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Enroll here
- Where
- The upstairs room at La Cosecha Latin Market, 1280 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 — close to the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station, with three hours of free parking in the building, an elevator to the upstairs level, and food and drink for sale downstairs.
- Cost
- Free — for people with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders and their caregivers. Enrollment required. Caregivers and partners are welcome to join the classes as well, also free of charge.
- Contact
- info@tangomercurio.org
Partner With Us
Become an organizational partner
[Placeholder: a short description of what an organizational partnership with the Adapted Tango Program looks like — e.g. bringing sessions to senior living communities, Parkinson’s support groups, rehab centers, or wellness programs across the DMV area.]
Become an organizational partnerWhat we can bring to your facility
- [Placeholder — e.g. trained volunteer assistant instructors]
- [Placeholder — e.g. seated and standing adapted-tango sessions]
- [Placeholder — e.g. equipment, music, and program materials]