Updated 7/18/2023
The dance community should be welcoming for everyone to learn and enjoy social dancing. I am dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and comfortable dance experience for everyone, and I expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure it. By attending my classes and events, you agree to abide by these rules and be held accountable if you engage in unsafe or harassing behavior. This applies to all individuals; students and teachers, beginners and experienced. I reserve the right to handle any violations of this Code of Conduct as I deem necessary. Violators may be ejected from the class or event without a refund and/or banned from attending future events.
Thank you for helping to support and protect our community! ~Lane
DANCE IS FOR EVERYONE.
This community will welcome and respect all dancers regardless of race, age, level of dance, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, physical appearance, body size, religion, familial status, or anything else.
ROTATING PARTNERS
In this dance community, it is common to dance with different partners, even if you come with a particular partner. While this is entirely optional, it is an opportunity to connect with other dancers. Partner dances have a leader and a follower, or (if your partner agrees) you may switch roles during the dance. These roles are not tied to gender identity. There aren't any rules or norms about who should ask whom to dance. All participants are encouraged to ask one another to dance. As a rule of thumb, It is considered excessive to ask a partner to dance with you for more than two songs in a row.
DECLINING A DANCE
You can decline to dance with anyone at any time without giving a reason. If you feel uncomfortable at any point in a dance, you may ask for adjustments or excuse yourself from a dance without explanation. If someone declines your invitation to dance, asks for adjustments, or excuses themselves during a dance, respect that.
RESPECT THE LEARNING PROCESS
When interacting with other dancers, do not offer unsolicited advice, teaching, or criticism. This is considered impolite in social dancing, both to the person you are correcting and the instructor, if this happens during class. If there is a designated practice time, or the instructor guides you to share feedback as part of the class, or your partner explicitly asks for help (wait to be asked, do not offer) then you may do so. Make sure you aren’t talking while the instructor is teaching if you are helping someone. Respect the learning process by allowing beginners to be beginners and the instructor to decide what information is helpful to participants in the class. Sometimes, excessive tips and feedback chip away at someone’s confidence, which does more harm than good.
PHYSICAL SAFETY
Avoid drops, dips, and other weight-supported moves if you have yet to clear them with your partner, whether or not you have done these moves before with said partner. Lifts and aerials are not allowed on the social dance floor.
WELL-BEING AND HYGIENE
When attending an event, refrain from excessive alcohol or substance use beforehand. Alcohol is prohibited at events unless specified otherwise.
Dancing brings you into your partners' personal space so please be cognizant of your hygiene. Wear freshly laundered clothing and consider brushing your teeth before dancing and/or bringing mints. You can bring extra shirts, a towel, and deodorant if you sweat a lot. Refrain from wearing excessive perfume, cologne, and products as these can cause allergic reactions in many people.
Stay at home if you have tested positive for COVID or are experiencing symptoms of any contagious respiratory illness. Symptoms of COVID include loss of taste or smell, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, chills, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, shaking or exaggerated shivering, significant muscle pain or ache, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting.
PICTURES AND VIDEO
You must ask for consent before filming or taking pictures during class or social dancing. If consent is given you must also ask for consent to share them with others or post them on social media.
HARASSMENT
Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Making another person feel unsafe or uncomfortable is considered harassment; it includes but is not limited to making offensive comments, verbal abuse, inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact, physical intimidation, and disruption of workshops or social dancing. If you experience harassment during an event or notice that someone else is being harassed, please alert me right away so that I can intervene. Anyone asked to stop any form of harassing or unsafe behavior is expected to comply immediately.