Felipe and Tiago break down their RoleRotation Getaways: what they are, who they're for, and why these small countryside retreats have become their favorite events of the entire year.

In this episode:

• Why the getaways exist: After years of both-roles dancers generously assisting in every intro workshop, there were finally no classes designed for them. The getaways fix that
• The format: Max 20 dancers plus teachers, one big house in the Spanish countryside near Barcelona, food and accommodation included, pool between classes, social dancing every night
• The personalized schedule: Why you send a video when you sign up (it's not an exam!), and how Felipe and Tiago build each weekend's program around who's actually coming
• Advanced vs. open level: Signature moves, camera confidence, and demo polish for teachers; confidence, repertoire, and leading the same move in different techniques for everyone else
• All practice, no lecture: Why getaway classes are the exact opposite of the teachers course
• Safe space by design: What 20 people can do that 500 never will
• What's next: From two getaways to three this year to four planned for 2027 and why last year's entire group rebooked before the dates were even posted

Spots for this year are gone, the 2027 waitlist is open now:

https://rolerotation.com/rolerotation-getaways/

Takeaway of the episode: Next time you ask or get asked for a dance: "leader, follower, or both?" Even when you think you know the answer, you'll get surprises.

After last week's serious round, it's time for the fun ones. Felipe and Tiago answer the personal, silly, and slightly chaotic listener questions, including a dating proposal, a cat custody clarification, and the question they get more than any other: which one of you is which?

In this episode:

• "I want to date you." The boys' relationship status, clarified (sort of)
• Who runs the Instagram? Spoiler: it's all them, plus how the country and city rotation accounts are run by local rotators
• Jet lag, odd hours & zero sleep schedule: How two full-time touring artists (don't) deal with it, and why one of them never needs coffee
• What they're watching: Deep in their anime era.
• New merch is live: Three new lines: https://rolerotation.com/therolerotationstore/
• Where is home? The answer surprises everyone (apparently every country except the right one)
• The eternal question: Which one is Felipe, which one is Tiago, and the one visual cue that works (for now)
• Bonus: The truth about the cats, the disappearing pool, and who gets hungry first

Takeaway of the episode: Next time you ask or get asked for a dance: leader, follower, or both? Even when you think you know the answer.

You asked, we answered.

In our first Community Mailbag episode, Felipe and Tiago tackle listener questions from around the world, including a few in Spanish, covering social floor frustrations, fears, and the big "am I ready?" question.

Your questions in this episode:

• "The artists only danced with each other and left after an hour." Why that happens (it explains, but doesn't excuse), how to actually get your dance, and the insider tip: look for the artists dancing in the corners, away from the DJ booth
• "How do I convince organizers to drop gender passes?" Short answer: you won't change their minds, you'll change their math. Put your money where your morals are
• "I've always followed, but I want to lead. Is it hard?" Why the frustration of knowing one role makes the second feel harder than it is and why 50%+ of your existing knowledge transfers directly
• "Can I join a RoleRotation getaway if I'm stronger in one role?" Yes, here's how the open-level getaways work (18 people, personalized schedules, one big house)
• "After two years of following, which class level do I start leading in?" Beginners, but you won't stay there long. Ego aside, let's go!
• "When is a dancer ready to start teaching?" Why the best teachers aren't the best dancers, why your goal matters more than your level, and why small-town scenes change the equation completely

Links:

• 🌍 The World Tour: https://rolerotation.com/rolerotation-dedicated-events/
• 🎓 The RoleRotation Teachers Course → https://rolerotationacademy.com/rolerotation-bachata-teachers-course/
• 🏡 RoleRotation Getaways → https://rolerotationacademy.com/rolerotation-getaways/
• 📚 The Rotation Academy → https://rolerotationacademy.com/

🎧 Related episodes:

Which Festival to go to: https://open.spotify.com/episode/10PZP6NDBPeRLXQ8FIcG9p?si=UHoyQUQQRkObAu_PUG7clAHow to teach a RoleRotation workshop 1:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nJH3iOfsivjtfVITRbmzu?si=11a8d51789a649bb

How to teach a RoleRotation workshop 2:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6lUQXJ6tKP10VWuBOLbGkH?si=c7211419c1a64fea

Remember:

• "Lead, Follow or both?"
• "Möchtest du führen, folgen oder beides?"
• "¿Líder, seguidor o los dos?"

What's the difference between a camp, a congress, and a festival and why does the name on the poster tell you almost nothing? Felipe and Tiago break down exactly how they evaluate events before committing, and why your festival ticket is a political act whether you like it or not.

In this episode:

• Know your "why" first: Summer vacation vibes vs. class-heavy training weekends and why mixing up the two leads to disappointment
• Reading the lineup like a pro: What the artist roster reveals about an organizer's values (and the "diversity hire" trap to watch out for)
• The full pass test: Male/female passes vs. leader/follower passes vs. three-pass systems and why "gender ratio" stats are a red flag in disguise
• Follow the stories: How public callouts and repeated patterns should shape where your money goes
• The 16-year-old rule: The brutally simple safety standard Felipe and Tiago now use before accepting any gig
• Vote with your wallet: Why collectively funding good organizers builds bigger, better, safer festivals for everyone

Plus: a starter list of rotation-minded events across Europe and a reminder that a rotation festival doesn't mean you have to dance both roles. It means the values come first.

• 📅 The RoleRotation Calendar → https://rolerotation.com/rolerotation-dedicated-events/

• 🎧 Related episode: the earlier one on gendered full passes — https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vrhnVgNyfSC6nCM8PPsTv?si=2adc711929b0480a

Felipe & Tiago talk about the common mistakes dancers make, when learning the other role:

- typical mistakes, when leaders learn to follow

- typical mistakes, when followers learn to lead

https://rolerotationacademy.com/

Following isn’t passive. In this episode, Natalie breaks down why “just follow” is a myth, how role rotation improves dancing for everyone, and what proper follower education really looks like.

Check out https://www.instagram.com/nataliewalls93/

Why do female teachers usually not get a microphone?

Why does it matter?

What should we do about it?

Check out @nataliewalls93

Should I teach my workshop with a male or female follower? Tiago has an opinion!

Are Dancers allowed to teach classes, even if they are not official teachers?

Can anyone call their class a RoleRotation class?

How can a RoleRotation workshop be fun, so that everyone will like it?

Online School: rolerotationacademy.com

Teacher's Course: https://rolerotationacademy.com/rolerotation-bachata-teachers-course/

You know that feeling, when someone dances in the other role but makes it look ridiculous on purpose?

And that feeling when you are happy that someone wants to try the other role with you for the first time and now you have to "teach" them?

Tine wasn't sure how to handle these situations properly so she got some advice from the creators of RoleRotation, Felipe and Tiago, who have faced these situations many times.