Stay connected here and through dance.
Classes, practicas, and milongas across Ithaca and Upstate NY – plus maps, featured nights, and reflections from the community.
Everything you need to know before your first dance.
Come on your own or bring a friend. Everyone rotates partners during class, and at prácticas you're free to dance (or not dance) with anyone. Tango is a community — we'll make sure you feel welcome.
Comfortable clothes you can move in and smooth-soled shoes you can pivot in. Avoid rubber soles. Socks work great for beginners! No need to be formal at classes or practice dances ("prácticas").
Classes start with fundamentals — the walk, the embrace, simple turns. Prácticas are relaxed sessions for trying what you've learned. Everyone was a beginner once. Some people will ask you to dance with a glance and head nod towards the dance floor (a "cabaceo"). Just say "thank you" when you want to end a dance.
This shared Google Calendar includes classes, practicas, and milongas across Ithaca and Upstate New York. Add it to your own calendar to stay in sync.
Special nights, visiting DJs, live music, and seasonal milongas that you won’t want to miss.
Shreya and Mark as instructors and DJ. Free class: 7-8pm. Free practice dance: 8-10pm. The Nocturnal Cafe, 103 S Geneva St, Ithaca, NY.
Tango@Cornell welcomes you to our Milonga Masquerade! DJ Steven Thull. Optional colors: red, white, pink. Free entry and free food. 7:00–11:00 PM at 136 Ho Plaza, Ithaca NY 14850.
We continue the Tango@Cornell dancing season with a lesson and DJing by Mark. Beginner friendly. Note: The Physical Sciences Building Atrium is also known as the Baker Portico. Free class: 7-8pm. Free Practice dance: 8-10pm.
The official kickoff of the Tango@Cornell dancing season. Beginner friendly. Note: The Physical Sciences Building Atrium is also known as the Baker Portico. Free class: 7-8pm. Free Practice dance: 8-10pm.
Let's get the year started right! Beginner frThe Physical Sciences Building Atrium is also known as the Baker Portico. Free class: 7-8pm. Free Practice dance: 8-10pm.
The next-to-last lesson and practica of the year!
Tango@Cornell's end-of-year tango formal! Those under the mistletoe are waiting for a tanda. The special colors: green and white.
A cozy evening of fundamentals, musicality, and social dancing: perfect for new dancers and experienced tanguerxs alike.
Visual guides to help you find our venues on the Cornell campus.
Tango@Cornell normally meets in the first-floor Atrium of the Physical Sciences Building. But sometimes we can't book the space and are in 700 Clark Hall, Ithaca NY 14850. Follow these visual steps from the broader Cornell campus all the way to the door.
Some events are held at Willard Straight Hall, Ithaca NY 14853. Enter from the parking lot and go up to the main lobby via stairs or elevator — look for signs to guide you.
There's also additional parking in the map shown above. From there, take the short staircase up to the Anabel Taylor parking lot and walk to Willard Straight Hall. It is not straightforward to drive to this parking lot; see the second map for how to get to this lot.
Reflections, trip reports, DJ notes, and small stories from the Upstate NY tango community.
Ithaca tango has a storied history spanning over thirty years. To see the new generation carry this torch across a long field of time is inspiring. It reminds me of when I first saw Quinteto Piazzolla in London 20 years ago. The older generation of musicians invited a younger generation to take up the maestro's music. And now we have the privilege of seeing Gen-Z'ers carry this light.
Nervous about your first tango event? Wear comfortable clothes, shoes that you can pivot in, and bring your curiosity. No partner necessary. Just remember: everyone was a beginner once. Practicas are for experimenting and asking questions. If you want to stop dancing with anyone, just say "Thank you." This is tango's magical phrase for "I'm done now."
If you’re building a tango playlist, start with looking at other playlists on Spotify. Check out the Golden Age classics but also what is being done now. On your tango journey, you will encounter many traditionalists and iconoclasts. Define your own place on any spectrum! And remember: try to make each tanda like a story, with a beginning, rising action, an emotional high-point, and a satisfying conclusion that tapers off the energy.