Class Schedule

Fall 2023

You are at the beginner level, if you've never taken a class in Argentine tango before or you've taken a handful of classes (4 or less).  This level is also recommend if you’ve taken a long break from dancing and would like to revisit the basics, or if you've taken some tango classes but never with Tango Mercurio.

We're so glad you've decided to give Argentine tango a try! Social tango is different from the tango you might have seen in performances or competitions — more dramatic genres that are variously called stage, show, or ballroom tango, depending on the particular tradition. Unlike these genres, Argentine tango, sometimes called social tango or "tango salon", is danced for enjoyment, not for an audience. It is often compared to speaking a language because the dance unfolds like a conversation one could never have predicted given that it’s improvised from one moment to the next. When social tango is performed, it is typically done so in this raw improvised form. Another wonderful thing about tango is that people of all ages, backgrounds, learning paces and styles can dance it. It has often been said: “If you can walk, you can dance tango”.

The Washington, DC, area has a lot of great Argentine tango instructors and organizers, with an assortment of opportunities to dance, learn, or listen to tango music every night of the week. A great group of volunteers called the Capital Tangueros (not associated with Tango Mercurio) maintains a full calendar of events. Everybody learns differently so we strongly encourage you to take a look at the Capital Tangueros and explore as much of the DC tango community as you can.

Like other tango event organizers in the area, Tango Mercurio teaches classes, hosts milongas and practicas, and performs live music, but, as a not-for-profit arts-education organization, we also offer volunteer opportunities to serve the broader community.

If you're just beginning to take lessons, we have a monthly Tango Taster class at La Cosecha (Union Market) and various courses for complete beginners offered as either a 6 week series or a 6 hour Weekend Boot Camp. Private Lessons are another great way to learn, please visit this page for more details.

TANGO INITIATION (6 WEEK SERIES)
Learn about balance, posture and technique for tango movement, and the unique mindset of each role. In this course you will receive basic musical education and an introduction to improvising with a partner. Class vocabulary includes the tango “walk” (in parallel system & cross system), cunitas (rock steps), the follower's cross, back ochos, basic navigational tools and introductory level adornments. You must pre-register for this class.

Teacher(s) for the next series: TBD

TANGO INITIATION (WEEKEND BOOT CAMP) (Part of the Pride Week)
Open to One and All.
All our classes seek to create a safe, LGBTQ+-inclusive space for dancers to practice tango according to their unique interests and preferences. We encourage the study of both roles, role-switching, and dancing with a variety of partners, especially at beginner level classes. (staying with one partner is also welcome).

This course covers all of the material in the 6-week Tango Initiation series condensed into one fun weekend of two 3-hour sessions. This course is a great way to dive in and get immersed in tango. People often choose to take this in conjunction with the 6-week series for accelerated learning and integration. You must pre-register for this class.

In this bootcamp you will learn about balance, posture, basic musical education and technique for tango movement, while improvising with a partner. Class vocabulary includes the tango “walk”, cunitas (rock steps), the follower’s cross, back ochos, basic navigational tools and introductory level adornments.

This course covers all of the material in the 6-week Tango Initiation series condensed into one fun weekend of two 3-hour sessions. This course is a great way to dive in and get immersed in tango. People often choose to take this in conjunction with the 6-week series for accelerated learning and integration.

You must pre-register for this class.
Teacher(s) for upcoming boot camps: Sarah Schlatterer & Joerg Schlatterer

TANGO BOOSTER (6 WEEK SERIES)
This 6 week course is the bridge between (Tango Initiation/Bootcamp) and Tango Essentials. Review the basics and fundamentals from Tango Initiation. Explore combinations of the fundamentals. Explore cross system in more depth.

Pre-requisite:
6 week Tango Initiation
OR
Weekend Bootcamp
OR
prior tango experience (6-9 hours of instruction).

Teacher(s) for the June 9 - July 21 series: Joerg Schlatterer & Sarah Schlatterer

You are an advanced beginner if you are comfortable with, and proficient at leading and following our Tango Initiation curriculum.  Most people feel ready for the advanced beginner classes when they have completed the entire Tango Initiation curriculum (the 6 week series), or a combination of a Tango Initiation Weekend Bootcamp and the Tango Initiation 6 week series.  If you are unsure, ask your Mercurio instructor if you are ready for the classes at the advanced beginner level. 

TANGO ESSENTIALS: CROSS SYSTEM & PARALLEL SYSTEM (Weekly, Drop-ins allowed)
There are three aspects to the Tango Essentials classes: 1. How to improvise with traditional tango sequences considered “essential” for the social dance floor in parallel and cross system.  2. The codes, customs and etiquette of “the milonga” (an Argentine tango social dance). 3. Tips for becoming part of a caring tango community.  In these classes you will learn how to transition from the classroom to the real-life experience of social dancing at the milonga.  Questions like “how do I invite someone to dance?” or “what kind of shoes do I need?” all get answered in Tango Essentials.  Participation includes a chaperoned field trip (every 6 weeks) to a local milonga with your classmates to support you in making this exciting leap!  Completion of the Tango Initiation curriculum is a prerequisite OR at least 6 months of tango classes taken elsewhere. Tango Essentials Parallel and Cross system are non sequential which means they may be taken in either order.

Teacher(s) for the current series : Ramu Pyreddy

The intermediate level is for dancers who have completed the Tango Essentials curriculum in both cross system and parallel system, and regularly attended the weekly guided practica; or for those who have been social dancing consistently for at least one year.  It’s important that you have both academic and experiential knowledge of the material taught at the advanced beginner level before embarking upon the intermediate level classes.  If unsure, ask a Mercurio instructor in one of our advanced beginner classes if you are ready for the classes at the intermediate level. 

Ready for Social Dancing! - Milonga & Vals (Adv. Beg./Int.) (Drop-ins allowed)
If you attend a 'milonga' (a tango social dance party), you will hear milongas and valses played alongside tangos. The 3 rhythms/genres of tango (tango, vals, milonga) complement each other and make the 'milonga' a rich and rewarding experience.
So we really want you to dance – and enjoy – them!

This course is specifically designed to get you a good understanding of the rhythms of milonga and vals. You will also learn vocabulary and the differences in the quality of movement specifically suited to the two genres.

Teacher(s) for the next series: TBD