welfare
Balfolk Oxford Welfare Guidelines
We aim to make all our dances, events, and classes a friendly and inclusive space for all who attend. The Balfolk Oxford team ask that everyone follow this code of conduct while in our spaces. We’re also open to suggestions and feedback!
Community
Balfolk Oxford is a place for: joy, friendship, sharing music, dancing, great conversations, and frolicking. Having fun at our bals is important!
Everyone should feel safe and welcome at our events.
Dance, play and talk with people you wouldn’t usually meet. This is how the community is made and sustained.
Physical appearance does not define your dance role. Everybody (f/m/x) may dance with each other and choose to lead or follow.
Wear whatever you like: there is no dress code. Though slippery-soled shoes get the best spins!
Appreciate our musicians - we are lucky to have live session music every bal. Applause and personal thanks to musicians are very much encouraged.
Be kind to each other, we do not tolerate discrimination or unfriendliness (ie. based on age, race, gender, appearance, dance level/role, sexuality, gender expression, disability, appearance, religion, and everything else).
If you behave unacceptably, the organisers may talk to you about it and in the worst case, ban you from the event. This is to keep everyone safe and happy :)
Comfort and Safety
Consent is key - always ask whether someone would like to dance with you. Expect to hear a no sometimes.
Don’t feel obliged to dance with someone. You can always say ‘no’ without giving a reason. Accept this from others too.
We encourage dancing with someone new! Feel free to ask anyone to dance, even when you don’t know them (yet).
Want to lead/follow/both? State your preference! Both followers and leaders may take the initiative and ask someone to dance.
Personal care:
Take care of personal hygiene. Wash your hands, brush your teeth, use deodorant, or bring a set of extra clothes. You know what works for you.
Drink enough water. Take care of your own emotional and physical limits.
You’re here for you. There’s no harm in skipping a dance and sitting out.
Make sure you don’t bother other people with use of alcohol, smoking, etc.
While in workshops or classes:
Respect our teachers (i.e don’t talk or play your instruments over the teachers during workshops).
We are here to all learn together. Help each other out.
Be patient with everyone, especially yourself :)
While on the Dance floor:
Be mindful of the whole space.
Don’t just carry out risky movements: be mindful of your partner, and the space and dancers around you.
Movement around the dance floor, if you’re in a couple or on your own, goes anti-clockwise. Important to avoid collisions!
If you want to stay on the spot, it’s best to be in the centre of the room, and people moving faster can go around the outside.
While social dancing together:
Dancing is something you do together. For both leaders and followers, listen to how you are moving together. Make adjustments if needed.
Take note of the style and body language of your dance partner(s) and make sure that they are comfortable. If you’re not sure, just check in!
Search for a dance position that feels good for both of you. For example, don’t assume that everybody likes to dance very close to each other.
If anything in the dance hurts or is annoying you, communicate it to your partner directly. If you bother or hurt someone, please apologise, even if it was unintentional.
Everybody is here to have a good time. Be mindful with giving feedback; it might be unwanted. If someone is dancing in their own way and it isn’t bothering anyone, leave it be.
While playing in the session
Playing together in a session is about the whole group.
Watch folks dancing to your music - this is joyous and good feedback!
Don’t take over the session - encourage others to join in and share their own tunes with the dance floor and session.
If you started the last tune, don’t start the next one.
[text adapted from a poster by] Balfolkfabriek Network day. Questions? [email protected]
Text by: Selena Van Hesteren, Oscar Debats, Jelrik van Hal, Maartje de Goede and De Balfolkfabriek, with help from the international dance community.
Do you feel unsafe or did you have a bad experience? Please don’t hesitate to speak up! Either talk to the people that bother you, confide in friends or ask for one of the Balfolk Oxford’s gang to help. There’s always someone willing to listen.
If you want help from Balfolk Oxford for your issue, please contact us anonymously via the form below, or via email.
The people with current access to your responses are Robin, Tom, and Jack. If you're not comfortable with this please do reach out to any of us individually.
