SAFER SPACES

We understand that trying something new like learning a new dance may be challenging and put you out of your comfort zone, and we hope you grow to love and enjoy it! We believe in creating a welcoming, respectful community here at Jazz Attack for all newcomers and regulars. We believe in the value of the arts, expressive spaces, and vernacular jazz, and we believe in the mixing of diverse groups of people that these art forms encourage. We believe in humor and the power of not taking oneself too seriously. We believe that the world is micro-managed to an annoying degree, and that you should be able to unwind in an adult environment where you can participate in something real. In order to make this happen, all attendees at Jazz Attack and associated events are expected to familiarize themselves with our full Code of Conduct (below), which applies to all Jazz Attack events, in person and online. You can always reach out to Lisa Pilchman, our safer spaces lead, with any concerns, or catch any of our Jazz Attack organizers or door volunteers at the dance. We're all here to help!

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Here is a link to report any safe space concerns or Code of Conduct violations (can be anonymous): https://forms.gle/mN2UFh7VaUYBgwzs9

                      

Our Policies and Code of Conduct

Jazz Attack strives to create a space that is welcoming and inclusive for everyone, and that is free from coercion, discrimination, bigotry, harassment, and bullying. By attending our event you are agreeing to help make that happen. Here’s how: 

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Dancing and General Etiquette

• Celebrate the diversity of skills and styles in this community. Consider asking new dancers, experienced dancers, and dancers you don’t know to dance. 

• When you ask someone to dance, let them know if you’re wanting to Lead, Follow, or Switch, or ask their preference. 

• Do not assume dance roles based on physicality or identifying features.

• Jazz Attack is a family-friendly dance event. Sexual language and/or imagery and profanities are not appropriate at any part of Jazz Attack either at the event or online – including dances, workshops, competitions, special events, social media presence, etc.

• Jazz Attack welcomes dancers of all ages! However, if you are under 16, we ask that you bring an over 18 chaperone with you.  Families, please be vigilant of younger children as the dancefloor can be a fast-paced environment.

• Jazz Attack is an environment for the celebration, practice, and development of American Vernacular Jazz dances and music. Understand that other styles of dance come with a different set of partnering agreements and aesthetics that may not be appropriate for Jazz Attack events. 

• Do not perform aerials on the social dance floor regardless of your skill level/comfort, unless in a jam, performance, or competition setting

• Dips are highly discouraged on the social dance floor regardless of your skill level/comfort

• Do not bring firearms or other weapons into this space

• Jazz Attack hosts drug-free events. Please don’t bring those items into this space. 

• Each venue has a different policy on alcohol. Please respect those policies. 

  • Anyone who is visibly intoxicated will be asked to leave the space regardless of venue policy. 

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On Being a Good Dance Attendee

• You’ll be dancing with many other people. You may want to chew gum or bring breath mints, wear deodorant and/or cologne (in moderation), or bring a change (or multiple changes!) of clothes.

• Wash your hands frequently! Germs spread fast.

• Please use your full range of senses on the dance floor to avoid accidental collisions and injuries. It is every dancer’s responsibility to be aware of their own and their partner’s movement and position, as well as the movement and position of the dancers surrounding them, in order to avoid all forms of dangerous contact

• It is  encouraged to express if someone is harming you on the dance floor. Outside of this, please do not offer unsolicited advice to fellow dancers on the social dance floor. 

  • This also applies in the class setting. Classes are a place for self-reflection and improvement. If you are more focused on critiquing those you are dancing with, you won’t be improving your own dancing. Our instructors are responsible for giving students feedback in classes, not student peers in the class.

• Please be respectful to both event staff and venue staff, even if you are experiencing a personal frustration. Without the goodwill of these individuals, a smoothly functioning event is impossible.

• Finally, be aware of your own boundaries and physical needs. Do not neglect your health.

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Consent, Conduct, Inclusion, and Harassment

• Jazz Attack is for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity, race, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, religion, dance level, and so on.

• Jazz Attack is for people that enjoy our wonderful swing dance hobby. You will meet people, but they are fellow swing dancers, not a pool of people to hit on.

  • The dance floor is not a space to ask people on dates, and this will not be tolerated. 

• Other people are not obligated to do things you may want to do. This includes not dancing or not doing a specific move while dancing, as well as non-dance related activities. When in doubt, ask. If someone tells you to stop, stop.

  • It’s OK to say “No” to a dance, or any activity, without offering an explanation.

  • It’s OK if someone says “No” to you. Celebrate people taking care of themselves.

  • Any explicit disrespect or disregard of enthusiastic consent will not be tolerated at Jazz Attack and associated events.

• We will not tolerate harassment of any kind.

• To be clear, harassment includes offensive verbal comments (including but not limited to those related to gender, gender identity, race, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, religion, dance level, etc.), use of sexual images or behavior in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, photographing or recording someone without their permission, sustained disruption of workshops or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Advocating for or encouraging any unacceptable behavior will also be considered harassment. Harassment of ANY kind will not be tolerated at any event venue, including dances, workshops, competitions, Twitter, Facebook, and other online avenues or social media affiliated with our events. 

• If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund, or ban from future events. 

• Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

• Event staff will be happy to help participants contact Lisa Pilchman (Safer Space Coordinator), the other organizers, or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance and your safety.

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Culture and Community Oriented Towards Improvement

Should you have any harassment-related complaints, the staff will willingly and enthusiastically hear and act on your complaints. We take all complaints seriously and are committed to resolving issues to the greatest extent possible. Nevertheless, it takes a kind of cultural agreement to make a community safe and fun. We strongly urge you, when it is safe to do so, to take it upon yourself to speak up if you witness something destructive or demeaning. While the social risks of speaking up may feel high, your willingness to speak up can help create an environment of positive social pressure that it’s impossible for the organizers to generate single-handedly. Our goal in this context is to move as far as possible towards creating a culture that eliminates these issues rather than dwells on them. 

 

With that in mind, should someone raise an issue with your behavior, listen gracefully and be willing to learn. In addition, when making complaints, please be conscious that it is not our job to create an environment where no one will ever get on your nerves. Harassment is one thing; personal issues are another. 

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When possible, Jazz Attack Safe Space representatives will attempt to work with anyone who violates this code to correct the behavior before any punitive steps are taken. Extreme or repeated violations of this code, or refusal to cooperate with Safe Space volunteers, may be met with consequences up to and including expulsion from the event without a refund and suspension from future Jazz Attack events.

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Safer Spaces Procedures

When you bring an issue to a member of the Safer Spaces Staff, you can expect:

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• An initial conversation away from other attendees

• Confidentiality within the Safer Spaces Staff (unless we feel someone is in immediate danger)

• You will be asked how you would like the situation to be handled

• The staff member will share the situation with additional Safer Spaces Staff members

• The Safer Spaces Staff will then determine next steps in consultation with you

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Some next steps may include the reported person being: 

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• Monitored, but not approached, to keep an eye on them for further issues

• Spoken to directly about their behavior and asked to stop

• Removed from the event, and/or banned from future events

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*These policies were adapted for our community from Lindy Focus, Swingout New Hampshire, and Mobtown Ballroom