Dance Etiquette
Welcome to All
We welcome dancers of all backgrounds and identities regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion, (dis)ability, physical appearance, body size, age, or race.
No is a Complete Sentence
Every individual has the right to say no to a dance or other forms of physical contact. If someone says no to me, I will accept this response and ask someone else.
Be Mindful
Both partners should take responsibility for protecting themselves and each other during a dance. I also recognize that someone else’s comfort levels with certain moves or embraces may be different than my own.
Feedback
I will only provide feedback to my partner if requested, whether social dancing or in class. I also take responsibility for my own capacity to receive feedback.
Hygiene
Practice good hygiene, like washing hands, bringing a spare shirt, and staying home when you’re sick.
Safety
Avoid aerials on crowded floors and/or with partners who have not said they are comfortable with them. If you accidentally kick or hit someone while dancing, apologize and make sure they’re okay. Connect with partners the way you’d like to feel connection yourself. Do not squeeze, grab, push, or pull in a hurtful way.
Have Fun
We’re all here to have fun. Enjoy yourself and do what you can to make dancing enjoyable for others.
River City Rhythm Safer Space Policy
River City Rhythm is dedicated to providing a safe dance experience for everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion, (dis)ability, physical appearance, body size, age, or race. We do not tolerate safer space violations in any form, including violations at events not affiliated with River City Rhythm. By attending a River City Rhythm activity or event, participants are agreeing to abide by the Attendee Agreement below. Participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the activity or event - without a refund if applicable - at the discretion of the River City Rhythm leaders.
Safer space violations include offensive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, physical appearance, body size, culture, or race; deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; non-consensual photography or recording; sustained disruption of events; unwanted physical contact; and unwanted sexual attention or contact. Participants asked to stop any behavior are expected to comply immediately. We expect participants to follow these rules at all River City Rhythm activities and events.
If a participant engages in behavior which violates this policy at a River City Rhythm activity or event, River City Rhythm leaders may take any action they deem appropriate based on actions outlined in this policy, including warning the offender or expulsion from the activity or event (with no refund if applicable). If you feel unsafe, notice a violation of this policy, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of River City Rhythm leadership immediately.
A River City Rhythm leader will be happy to help participants contact local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise help participants feel safe for the duration of the activity or event (see harassment protocol). A current list of River City Rhythm leaders and ways to communicate concerns are included below. We value your attendance and your presence in the community.
Protocol for Harassment
If you have an issue, report it to any of the River City Rhythm leaders. A River City Rhythm leader will mediate between both parties and use these guidelines when an issue is brought up. This procedure may be altered if requested by the reporter or other parties involved.
When an issue is brought up, a River City Rhythm leader will collect the details about the situation from all involved parties and any witnesses. The leader will take written notes. Depending on the severity of the incident, the accused party may be removed from the premises and asked to leave for the duration of the activity or event. In extreme circumstances or if requested, the police will be contacted.
A River City Rhythm leader may mediate a discussion, either in person or not, between the two parties to gain an understanding between the two. The River City Rhythm leaders will try to find a suitable course of action that will allow the reporter to feel comfortable returning to the activity or event without excessive action taken against the accused.
Possible actions taken include:
- the accused will be prohibited from speaking to, approaching, touching, or otherwise interacting with the reporter
- the accused will be placed on probation
- the accused will be banned from the venue
- turning the case over to the Police
All River City Rhythm leaders will be given a summary of events. All leaders will also seek to keep incidents as private as possible when appropriate, but confidentiality is not guaranteed.
Communication Plan
River City Rhythm Leaders
Paul Riding
Rebecca Boulden
Kimberly Bellows
If you have a concern during an activity or event, please bring it to the attention of one of the above individuals by asking to speak to them.
If you have a concern outside of an activity or event or would like to report something online, please email team@rcrsac.com.
Other Helpful Numbers
Emergencies: 911
Police Department:
(916) 808-5471 (Sacramento County)
(530) 666-8282 (Yolo County)
County 24-hour domestic violence and rape crisis line:
(916) 371-1907 (Sacramento County)
(530) 662-1133 (Yolo County)
River City Rhythm Attendee Agreement
Cultivating a Healthy Dance Scene
1.INTRODUCTION
By attending a River City Rhythm activity or event, I am agreeing to abide by the Safer Space policy and do my part to create a safe venue and a harmonious dance community.
2.GENERAL
I will practice model dance etiquette because that is one of the keys to having a safe and enjoyable venue in which to dance. I realize if I do something inappropriate, whether or not it’s mentioned in the safer space policy or this agreement, there may be consequences. These consequences may range from a leader talking to me about my behavior to legal action against me. I will comply with requests made to me by River City Rhythm leadership in the event that my behavior warrants consequences, which, for serious or repeated offenses, may include temporary or permanent ejection from the activity or event (without a refund) and being banned from future activities or events.
If I experience or witness any behavior that’s inappropriate or makes someone feel uncomfortable, I know that a leader is available to hear about an issue and will appreciate my help by reporting it. So, if I feel comfortable, I will do my part by bringing it to a leader’s attention immediately. If something like this happens during a class or practice, I will bring it to the attention of an instructor if a leader isn’t available.
I will respect everyone at the activity or event, regardless of their age, race, religion, nationality, creed, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, weight, ability, dance skill, politics, lifestyle, and personal boundaries. I will be courteous to everyone (unless it compromises my own safety and wellbeing), which means I will do things like happily dance with people who are less experienced than I am. In practice spaces, I will be open to and willing to share qualitative feedback using “I” statements, communicating my boundaries and capacity for feedback as needed and respecting others' boundaries as well.
3. DANCING
I realize that my Number One responsibility during any dance is to make sure that I, my partner, and those around me are all safe and comfortable. I will do my best to make sure that my dancing does not cause anyone else any injury or discomfort. This is not limited to, but may include asking my partner if I notice physical feedback, listening to my partner and adjusting my dance if they tell me of an injury, applying floorcraft to respect the dancing space of other couples, and practicing aerials and dips safely and with verbal consent.
I will strictly respect the physical and personal boundaries of my fellow attendees on and off the dance floor. I realize that I can make others uncomfortable even without intending to, which is why I will always ask for consent from others before touching, hugging, cuddling, or engaging in other forms of physical contact. I realize that only verbal “yes” gives consent.
I understand the difference between expressing your sexuality through dance and engaging in sexual behavior while dancing. I will never engage in sexual behavior on the dance floor.
If my partner is causing me some kind of physical or psychological discomfort, it is entirely appropriate for me to call their attention to the fact that their actions are making me uncomfortable. I know that every person has the right to stop a dance, especially if the dance is causing discomfort. If I need to stop a dance I will do so politely and, if possible, constructively. If I feel uncomfortable speaking directly to my partner, I know that a team leader will be more than happy to help me. Also, if my partner asks to end a dance I will not be offended, defensive, or pressure them for an explanation.
I will never, never critique someone’s dancing on the social floor unless:
a. My partner explicitly asked for feedback during this dance
b. My partner is causing me some kind of physical or psychological discomfort
4. ASKING FOR A DANCE
I know that asking a dancer what role they would prefer is a great way to start a dance, especially since gender expression does not always indicate preferred dance role. If our roles do not align, I will respect that and accept it amicably.
I am aware of the many completely legitimate reasons to decline to dance with someone, so I will be gracious and not pressure someone to dance or explain. I will try to understand my own reasons for declining, and be sure they are virtuous and personal (not judgmental or based on social pressure). I will assume others are thinking in the same fashion because everyone has agreed to this as well.
5. SICKNESS
I am aware that dancing with others comes with the risk of contracting a contagious illness such as the flu or COVID-19. I acknowledge that stopping the spread of germs can help keep the dance community healthy. I agree to minimize the chances of spreading illnesses by practicing good hygiene such as frequent hand washing and covering coughs. I know that if I feel sick, I should stay home, especially if symptoms include a fever of 100.4⁰ or higher.
6. CONCLUSION
I realize that the Safer Space Policy, this agreement, and the Harassment Protocol cannot and does not outline every type of acceptable or unacceptable behavior or resulting consequences. In the end, I will use common sense, treat others the way they would like to be treated, listen to the River City Rhythm leaders, and accept any consequences of my actions.