Code of Conduct

This document was compiled from Upside Down Ghent, The BRUX and Spring Lindy Weekend codes of conduct and safe space policies. We thank and cherish them for inspiring us!

You are free to use our compilation, as-is or in a modified form, for your own dance event.

Jazz Roots Bucharest is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable experience for everyone regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion (or lack thereof). All participants to the Jazz Roots Bucharest community activities are required to comply with the following code of conduct.

We want you to be free to express yourself, in your style, in your dance, in your voice, in your shared moments with others, authentically and respectfully to others. 

Dancing can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to it, but don’t worry, we’re here to support a comfortable environment for everyone. Respect is key in our community. It’s crucial to respect your dance partner, the people around you and yourself. We encourage you to feel empowered to set your boundaries and communicate them with people around you. Everyone has different boundaries, so it’s important to be respectful and always ask before touching someone. Remember to keep a positive attitude and trust in communication. Our staff is always available to provide assistance if needed.

When dancing with a partner, please express your gratitude and appreciation after the dance. We love to see everyone asking others to dance, but it’s important to respect people’s decision if they choose not to. Dancing should be a fun and enjoyable experience, so please communicate with your partner, make eye contact and smile. Also please express your gratitude to musicians after each song. It will create a positive energy for them to work and the concert will have a better atmosphere.

Everyone should feel safe from physical hurt. Please avoid aerials in social dancing: keep them for the jams, the shows or the competitions! Generally, smaller moves are recommended in crowded dancefloors. Trust us, tiny rock steps can look great too. Of course, accidents can happen, so if you’re responsible, apologize and check that people are ok.

We firmly do NOT tolerate abusive/hurting behavior or harassment in any form. Community participants manifesting harassment may be expelled from the Jazz Roots Bucharest events at the discretion of the organizers and/or reported to law enforcement representatives.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of activities or events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention in person or online.

If a participant engages in abusive/hurting/harassing behavior, the community organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund.

If you are taking part in a Jazz Roots Bucharest activity or event and you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please reach out to a member of the Jazz Roots Bucharest organizing team immediately.

The staff from the organizing team will be happy to help participants contact local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the Jazz Roots Bucharest activity or event. We value your attendance and your safety.

We expect all community participants to Jazz Roots Bucharest activities and events to follow the above rules at dance, during their performance moments, competitions and potential workshop or talk venues.

Organizers will enforce this code throughout big events. We are expecting cooperation from all community participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody.

In case anything goes wrong, feel free to react. It’s essential to the well-being of all members of the Lindy Hop community. You can react by one of the following actions, as you consider most appropriate: 

  • Directly talking to the person who makes you feel uncomfortable
  • Directly stopping a potentially dangerous or abusive behavior you spot
  • Sending a message on facebook to Jazz Roots Bucharest and report an abusive or harassing behavior
  • Contact any member of the organizing team and ask to be put in contact with one of the following dedicated people, who are carefully selected to address any safe space policy issue, feedback or report: 
    • Cristina Ciobanu
    • Luciana Baicea
    • Mihaela Mocanu
    • Dragos Simion