More Than Dance

Northern Tango’s journey began in 2004 when Annalise Richardson founded the original Northern Tango practica group in Darwin. Together with local tango teacher Acho Etchenbere, the first tango workshop was organised with interstate teacher Hugo Fernandez from Alma de Tango, helping ignite a passion for Argentine Tango within the Darwin community.

Later that same year, Geraldine Li arrived from Canberra and joined Annalise in supporting peer-to-peer learning and weekly practicas. Although the community was small in the beginning, their passion and connections helped bring talented interstate artists and teachers to Darwin.

Over the years, many passionate individuals helped shape Northern Tango into the community it is today. Belinda Glasby established the first regular monthly Milonga, while Chris Hart and Kelly Hansen contributed enormously through workshops, performances, social events and the first Tango Retreat at Mary River.

In 2010, Carol Richards arrived in Darwin and helped organise the first visit by Damian Thompson and Hosanna Heinrich in 2011. Their teaching and guidance inspired a new level of learning and dedication within the Darwin tango community.

On 22 March 2023, Northern Tango officially incorporated and established a committee to guide the next chapter of the organisation. In the same year, the community proudly delivered the first Top End Tango Marathon.

Today, Northern Tango continues to grow through regular classes, practicas, milongas, workshops and special events. In 2025, Neale Cooper, Melda Cooper, Terry O’Neill and Susana Lu-Dizon joined the teaching team, helping strengthen the future of tango in Darwin.