Tango Rock Bottoms is nearly upon us. It's a double instalment as usual but there is a distinction between the two events so do double check the descriptions to ensure you will be getting what you expect.

This advance information is for both events so please read the relevant sections - general information applicable to both events will follow further down the email. Rock Bottoms contact (Hev) : 07967 904096.

LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY (for both events)
Late bookers are a pain in the bum, but we probably can squeeze them in for the first weekend and interim, so if you know of any potential additions to either weekend, please call Hev on 07967 904096.

CAR SHARING
Please use our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/5096889110 to ask about car sharing.

ROCK BOTTOMS TANGO (Jan 10th - 13th)
You will be staying in the DERWENT HOTEL (part of the TLH Leisure Resort), Belgrave Road, Torquay TQ2 5HL

This event is the only one of the two to offer Blues workshops and a Blues social dance each evening. This event offers Tango workshops at four levels from novice (those in their first year of regular Tango) right through to expert.

Your Tango teachers for this weekend include: Jenny and Ricardo. Emma and Mariano, Constantin and Silvana, Warren and Kerenza. Also we have Blues teachers Angela and Dave. Your DJs for this event include Gabriele Deki, Warren Richardson, Jonathan Melville-Smith, Paul Anderson, Myra Hales, Angela Armstrong.

The theme for Saturday evening at this event is "Moody Blues". You may treat this as fancy dress or have a dress to impress theme to your evening outfit, or maybe some blue accessories.

Sunday night competition - at this event only we hold the Rock Bottoms 2025 Tango competition. Register as individuals at any time throughout the weekend and we'll randomly pair you up for a short and sweet competition judged by our wonderful teachers.

We will also offer a Pilates class on Saturday morning which will take place at the same time as Tango levels 1 and 2. If you would like to join this class we suggest ladies wear leggings. Feel free to bring your own mat, but we will provide them.

Merchandise stalls at this weekend include
CLOTHES - supplied by Libusha Steele
SHOE EXCHANGE - for buying and selling unwanted Tango shoes in good condition - labelled clearly with size, price and your phone number
CLOTHES EXCHANGE - for buying and selling unwanted dancewear (men and ladies) - labelled clearly with size, price and your phone number *** please bring hangers

Here is a quick summary of arrival day (Friday) timings, to help you plan when to arrive:
3:00pm: check into your room any time from 3pm
4:30pm: "Meet & Greet" - Tea & bickies at "Ben's Barrow"
5:00pm Tango dance in the Starlight Lounge
6:45pm: Evening Meal (last sitting 8:30pm)
8:30pm: Dancing starts in both Tango Venues
9:00pm: Bottom warmer class in Starlight Lounge
9:00pm Blues room opens
10:00pm: Teacher introductions in Starlight

ROCK BOTTOMS TANGO (Jan 17th - 20th)

You will be staying in the VICTORIA HOTEL (part of the TLH Leisure Resort), Belgrave Road, Torquay TQ2 5HS

This event offers Tango workshops at three levels from Level 2 (intermediate) right through to expert. If you are a novice in Tango then this weekend is not for you - you need to be booking on our first Tango weekend.

Your Tango teachers for this weekend include: Jenny and Ricardo, Eduardo Bozo, Rene and Laura, and Constantin.

Your DJs for this event include Diego Doigneau, Jonathon Melville -Smith, Constantin and Myra Hales.

The theme for Saturday evening at this event is "COCKTAIL PARTY". You may treat this as fancy dress or dress to impress (as you would for a cocktail party), or simply add one or two cocktail related accessories to your evening wear.

Merchandise stalls at this weekend include
Shoes : Yuyo Brujo - see www.yuyobrujo.com
SHOE EXCHANGE - for buying and selling unwanted Tango shoes in good condition - labelled clearly with size, price and your phone number
CLOTHES EXCHANGE - for buying and selling unwanted dancewear (men and ladies) - labelled clearly with size, price and your phone number *** please bring hangers

Here is a quick summary of arrival day (Friday) timings, to help you plan when to arrive:
3:00pm: check into your room any time from 3pm
4:30pm: "Meet & Greet" - Tea & bickies at "Ben's Barrow"
5:00pm Tango dance in the Richmond Lounge
6:45pm: Evening Meal (last sitting 8:30pm)
8:30pm: Dancing starts in both Tango Venues
10:00pm: Teacher introductions in Warwick Room

INTERIM STAY (Jan 13th - 17th)

We already have approximately 60 dancers booked for both of our Tango weekends, who are also staying for the four nights in between. If you would like to take advantage of this discounted deal, you can also book it on the Rock Bottoms website www.rockbottoms.com

As many of you have booked in for the interim, we have been able to put on one or two informal extras on in the evenings. We'll be having a blackout dance like last year so please bring an all black outfit for this.

Also -anyone who would like to arrange a private lesson with Constantin - this interim period would be the best time to do so. For all. Private lessons please approach the teachers directly - they obviously cannot arrange anything until our schedule is finalised.

ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION (both evens)

LEVEL BADGES
There will be Tango workshops at 4 levels in weekend 1 and at 3 levels in weekend 2. PLEASE SEE THE LEVEL GUIDE ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.ROCKBOTTOMS.COM, SELECT YOUR LEVEL, AND REPORT YOUR LEVELS TO HEV ASAP.
** even if we have your level from last year, please give it again
Please collect your badge on arrival and wear it to all workshops - you may only attend Tango workshops at your level. We have brought in this measure to avoid certain workshops getting overcrowded - please play by the rules and it will benefit everybody..
You may watch the workshops of other levels, but please do not join in. The teachers may invite one or two guests but only to even up the numbers.

MEET & GREET" (FRIDAY)
This is the first Rock Bottoms activity is at 4:30pm when we invite you to join us at Ben's Barrow for a cuppa and a bickie. This is the perfect opportunity to find some of your dance friends or start making new ones. The hotel bar will also be open during this gathering. Dancing also kicks off in the main venue so you can grab your drink and head on through. We tend to stop serving tea between 5;30 and 6, depending on demand.

WORKSHOPS (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)
Workshops will run throughout Saturday and Sunday from 10am through to 6pm. Any Tango workshops you attend must match the level badge you are wearing. Blues workshops are available to anybody.
A schedule of workshops for the weekend will appear on our website soon.THERE WILL BE NO PRINTED SCHEDULES PROVIDED so if you would like a printed copy please print it off - we suggest you wait until the day before the event to ensure you have the latest copy.
SCHEDULE will be posted on our website www.rockbottoms.com and on our Facebook group.

EVENING DANCES
Music for both Nuevo and Traditional Tango starts at 8:30pm each evening. There will be a printed DJ schedule on the door to each venue - this will include details of all extra evening entertainment. Blues will start at 9pm on weekend 1.

SHOE EXCHANGE
We will have our usual 'Shoe exchange' happening again as it has proved extremely popular. So if you have any unwanted TANGO shoes still in good condition that you would like to sell, bring them along.
Whether selling or buying, please follow our instructions displayed on the stall. PLEASE LABEL EACH SHOE WITH PHONE NUMBER, PRICE AND SIZE.

CLOTHES EXCHANGE
We are also operating a clothes exchange. So if you have any unwanted dancewear still in good condition that you would like to sell, bring them along.
Whether selling or buying, please follow our instructions displayed on the stall. PLEASE LABEL EACH ITEM WITH PHONE NUMBER, PRICE AND SIZE.

PRIVATE LESSONS
Our teachers are happy to do Private lessons, however availability will be limited due to busy teaching schedules - best time for Constantin would be during the interim. Please contact the teachers directly - privates during main weekends can't be arranged until our schedule is finalised.

VIDEO RECORDING
Note: we no longer produce the Rock Bottoms DVD. This means there is more opportunity for our dancers to shoot their own footage. You may not film during workshops, but at the end of a workshop if you ask nicely the teachers may do a short demo of the workshop material - have your phones at the ready. You may also film the cabarets for your own personal use only. Rock Bottoms with upload the cabarets to YouTube (if teachers allow).

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
We have official photographers at both events, but feel free to take your own pictures and please upload your favourites to our Rock Bottoms Facebook group
www.facebook.com/groups/5096889110

MASSAGE
As usual, please book in advance of the weekend only if you require a Friday afternoon massage..
For massage on Saturday and Sunday, please make bookings at our desk and please have payment ready (cash only). The cost is £40 per hour.
Weekend 1 we have Jane and Gypsy
Weekend 2 we have Jane only.
Please can you bring your own towels to the massage room (can be from your hotel room). If you would like the masseurs to mask up just let them know when you arrive for your massage

HOTEL INFORMATION

Your rooms will be available from 3pm Friday and checkout is 10:30am Monday.
Derwent Hotel reception : 01803 400100
Victoria Hotel reception : 01803 400200

DIRECTIONS: for help in getting to the Derwent Hotel, please check out the hotel pages of our website. Or plug TQ2 5HL into your Sat Nav.

TRAVEL COMPANIONS - if travelling on your own, why not put a message on the Rock Bottoms Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/5096889110 to see if you can car share with somebody from your area. This will obviously save on fuel costs and stop the car parks being over crowded.

PARKING: During our Rock Bottoms weekends the Derwent Hotel car park usually fills up. You are allowed to park In any of the car parks in the TLH complex (Carlton, Victoria, Toorak. Whichever car park you are in, you will need to register your car at reception on arrival.

CHECK-IN You are welcome to check into your room anytime from 3pm onwards. You get your room key from the hotel reception where they should also provide you with a wrist band (please put it on before you lose it).
You must enter your car reg in the machine at the hotel reception desk.
Please note - no printed schedules will be given out - we recommend taking a screenshot shot on your phone from our website / Facebook group.

There are no daytime workshops on the Friday though you may use the pool and other hotel facilities even before you get into your room - just ask at reception.

DINNER on Friday starts serving at 6:45, though you can still get served if you arrive any time up to 8:30. If arriving after 8:30, please phone hotel reception to arrange a cold platter to be held for you. ***Note that last serving on other days is 8pm!

SPECIAL DIETS
Special Diets : if your veggie , vegan , gluten free or something else and you haven't told us before let us know now. Chef is always waiting by the restaurant door on FRIDAY EVENING ONLY to chat with anyone who has unusual requirements , asking at the table won't work, he's got a lotta meals to make - bless.

MEALS: Your package includes breakfast and evening meals for the 3 nights of your stay. All meals are served in the hotel dining room, where you may choose to sit with friends or meet some new people.
To easily meet new people during dinner, try our "Meet & Eat" tables – one or two large group tables identified by a balloon or two (door staff can guide you to these tables).
If you are a group wanting to sit together at dinner then we suggest you put your own reserved sign on the table of your choice.

LUNCH: The on site Bistro is a great place for lunch (between about 12 and 3). Very sociable layout and good food. If you are planning to go out for lunch, it's about a five minute walk to the sea front or a twenty minute walk into town.

HOTEL FACILITIES: The hotel has a lovely indoor swimming pool, so make sure you bring your cozzie. The hotel also has their very own Aztec Spa too… all manner of treatments happening there. The hotel also has a wonderful hairdressing Salon which Hev visits EVERY time, the staff and brilliant and it's a complete bargain, they are especially good at 'Up' doo's.
If you have any further enquiries about hotel facilities, or if you'd like to make an advance booking, then call them on 01803 400100.

SECURITY: our workshop venues and evening venues are private to Rock Bottoms, so security is not a big issue. If you all wear your wristbands (issued on arrival) we'll have no problem in identifying anyone who shouldn't be there.

DRINKS: You may brink your own soft drinks into the workshops during the day, but please use the hotel bars for drinks in the evenings. Water fountains will be provided at all venues for use day and night.
Wine waiters will circulate during dinner to take your orders - we've tried their house white and red, just for research you understand, and they are both excellent.

DON'T FORGET TO BRING

FANCY DRESS for Saturday night - "Moody Blues" for weekend 1 and "Cocktail Party" for weekend 2
SWIMMING COZZIES, so you can make use of the fantastic hotel pools
Ear plugs and eye masks - some rooms are a bit noisy
Towels for use at the swimming pool (hotel provides towels for your room only).
Diaries to check out which future Rock Bottoms you can come along to.
Cash for purchasing T-shirts & other essential quality merch, or for booking future events.

MONDAY CHECKOUT:
You must check out of your room by 10:30 on Monday. If you need to get away super early on Monday, please let the reception know when you check in so they can be prepared for you.

Don't forget to keep an eye on our ROCK BOTTOMS Facebook group for last minute updates

For more information and to make bookings, please visit our Booking Form on this site.

Hugs to all from the Rock Bottoms team
Replies please to hev@rockbottoms.com