Dance Guidelines — Roots Fusion Dance

❤️ Community Spirit & Etiquette

Come from a place of goodwill and kindness
Help new dancers feel at home
Avoid unsolicited teaching on the social floor
Thank your partner after each dance

🤝 Asking for a Dance

Anyone may ask anyone
It is okay to decline without explanation
Accept a "no" with grace
A dance is one song, or as long as the partnership is desired by both dancers

🌈 Inclusivity

Roots Fusion welcomes dancers of all gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, races, ethnicities, body types, and skill levels (ask about our policy for dancers under 16).

🔄 Lead / Follow / Switch

Before dancing, consider asking: "Would you like to Lead, Follow, or Switch?"
"Switch" means roles may change during the dance
You can also just begin with openness together

🚫 Movement Safety

Ask or otherwise gain clear consent before dips, low lifts, or dramatic weight shifts
Roots Fusion discourages high lifts, acrobatics, breakdancing, etc.
Protect your partner and others when crowded

🫶 Consent: The Heart of Fusion

There are three levels of closeness in fusion: Open, closed (traditional frame) and close embrace (arms around each other, often with full upper torso contact).

Moving closer should be mindful
Before close embrace, consider asking: "Do you feel okay with close embrace?"
When in doubt: go slow, stay present, and notice the body language of your partner
Watch for non-verbal cues that may mean "no" (rigid frame, leaning away, hesitation)
Consent can change from partner to partner, from day to day, and even within a dance
Consent can be withdrawn at any time
Leads + follows share responsibility for consent
If something feels off, pause and check in
If you make a mistake, apologize and adjust
If a pattern keeps happening, reach out to your organizers for support

🤗 Speaking Up

It is okay to stop a dance mid-song
It is okay to say:

"Could you lighten your lead?"
"Please ask before you dip me"
"Please don't do (insert) again"
"Let's stay in open hold"
"Can we dance closer?"

Your comfort and safety matter.
Clear communication creates better dances for both partners

🍷 Substance Use

You are responsible for your actions. Substance use may impair your consent awareness.
If you are unable to respect consent due to apparent intoxication, you may be asked to leave and may be banned from returning.
Inform organizers if you observe unsafe or erratic behavior.

🚨 Harassment & Illness

Any behavior that reasonably makes someone feel unsafe or unable to enjoy the event may be considered harassment.
If you experience or observe harassment, notify your organizers.
Please stay home if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19, RSV, or flu.
Wash hands regularly and use sanitizer.

🌿 A Final Note

Consent and boundary awareness are learned skills. We will not always get it perfect — what matters is that we try, listen, repair, and grow together. Roots Fusion is committed to cultivating a conscious, caring dance community.

Rev. 3/26