Tango Lewes: Building community through dance

When Suzanne Thurman isn’t working hard as the executive director of the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute, she is finding time to coordinate something a little different - a local dance group, Tango Lewes.

The classy tango group has about 36 members who all share a common passion for Argentine tango. Sessions are held every Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Hotel Rodney in Lewes. A $5 donation per class is suggested.

Tango Lewes was formed five years ago when a few University of Delaware graduate students created the group as a way to learn the dance while socializing. Thurman says she was invited to participate in the group in its beginning stages and has been hooked ever since.                              

Thurman, who has always enjoyed dancing, loves tango in particular as an outlet for both exercise and stress relief. “Tango is a beautiful art form to watch and equally beautiful and graceful to engage in,” she says. “It’s not only good physical exercise, but it’s also good mental exercise. It takes our minds off our potentially serious lives.”

The classes now offer instruction for dancers of all levels and plenty of practice time. The primary instructor is Paolo Peghini, but other mentors will occasionally come in to help spread their knowledge of the dance form. Group members with more experience will also lend a hand to help out newcomers and the less experienced. 

An additional benefit of participating is the social aspect and community that comes with the group. Thurman says many friendships and relationships have been built from Tango Lewes. “Once you get bitten by the bug of tango you just keep coming back,” says Dennis Wright, a regular attendee.      

Tango Lewes offers a pleasant community for new members. “We provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is open to anybody and everybody,” says Thurman. “People don’t need previous dance experience or a partner.” The class even attracts tango dancers from other states who are visiting Lewes. 

The group’s monthly Milonga, a large tango event, will be held July 2 and will feature Trifilio Tango Trio, a live tango band from Washington, D.C. The event will cost $10.

Thurman encourages anyone interested in joining Tango Lewes to stop by during any of the classes or to contact her at tangolewes@gmail.com.