Please read and sign our community member agreement. This details our school values, rules, and community etiquette guide. It also includes our refund policy and release forms

All students who enroll in SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC, must sign and follow this agreement.

Summary:

In summary, we all work to make a safe and comfortable space for us all to learn. Treat others well, keep the space clean, and communicate if you see a problem. We do not offer refunds or credits for unused drop-in classes or memberships. You can ask to pause or cancel your membership if you’re sick or have an emergency. Dance can cause injury and you will not hold South Street Salsa LLC or Brian Kwong’s Wing Chun Martial Arts School accountable. We take pictures and video in the space and at outside events. You release this media to us but you can always ask for us not to share or use things. Finally, in the case of future pandemics please get vaccinated. If everyone in the studio gets sick that’s not conducive to a safe and comfortable learning environment. That said, dance puts you at risk of catching colds and viruses so proceed at your own risk.

Sections

1. School Values
2. School Rules

• 1. Regarding the studio
• 2. Regarding other members
• 3. Regarding yourself

1. Community Etiquette Guide  

• 1. When Social Dancing
• 2. Class etiquette
• 3. At all times

1. Refund Policy
2. Injury Liability Waiver
3. Media Waiver
4. Pandemic Liability Waiver

School Values

At South Street Salsa we value our students, teachers and performers and their well being. We are spending time learning together and fostering the growth of our members. With that goal and ethic in mind, we all will strive to keep South Street Salsa a safe, welcoming environment conducive to learning and growth. We demand all members, teachers, and affiliates treat others with respect and care. We do not tolerate harassment of any kind, or disrespectful behavior.

South Street Salsa is an inclusive environment that welcomes and safeguards the dignity of all people. Anyone not upholding these ethics in their behavior will be asked to leave the school.

The Rules

1. Regarding the studio:
   1. Keep the studio clean.
   2. Wear appropriate shoes on the dance floor or wear socks. Outdoor shoes are not allowed on the dance floor unless doing so is completely unavoidable.
   3. Outside of class time, the hours of an event, or your specific appointment time, the studio is booked for other events. Make sure to check the website and your confirmation text/emails for the correct time of events.
   4. The shower is not for member use.
   5. If something breaks, tell Kevin or a studio staff member immediately.
   6. Do not leave your possessions in the studio. If you leave something in the space and it becomes lost we will make every attempt to find and return your item/s to you but will not be held responsible for lost items.
2. Regarding other members:
   1. While in the studio please avoid topics of religion, politics, and other areas that would distract from the core focus of our dance school.
   2. If your partner is doing something that physically hurts you, ask them to stop immediately. If the behavior persists, immediately notify a teacher.  Aside from protecting yourself, don’t give feedback to your partners unless LITERALLY asked to do so by your partner. Even if a teacher tells you to, ALWAYS ask the person in front of you if it’s ok to comment about them before doing so.
   3. Don’t criticize the dancing of others. The dancing of others has nothing to do with your learning and growth.
   4. Dating within the community is a bad idea. We don’t encourage it but obviously can’t tell you what to do in this regard. If the behavior of one or both of you becomes distracting to members, further steps may need to be taken. Inappropriate displays of affection, relationship arguments, etc. qualify as distracting behaviors.
   5. If another member is making you feel uncomfortable, bring this to a teacher’s attention as soon as possible or as soon as you feel comfortable to do so. If a teacher makes you feel uncomfortable please speak directly to Kevin or one of the schools designated member advocates for escalation.
3. Regarding yourself:
   1. Protecting and safeguarding the physical health of your fellow members is a sign of respect. Get all recommended vaccinations and health precautions that will protect your fellow members in the case that you catch an illness. This includes staying home if you’re not feeling well. If you give everyone in class the flu it is very inconsiderate and disrespectful to their wellbeing. A one week membership pause for illness is available upon request. You will not lose a week of classes if you do this. Your 28-31 days of classes will resume after the pause.
   2. Keep yourself clean. Personal hygiene is a sign of respect to your fellow members. Wash your feet, armpits, behind, etc with soap and water before attending class. Wear deodorant and clean clothes. Maintain your fingernails, moisturize your hands if they are rough, brush your teeth before class, and other hygienic behaviors that will allow others to have an enjoyable experience dancing with you. This isn’t usually a problem but when it is, it’s highly unpleasant and distracting to others in class.
   3. If you become injured in life or in class and don’t feel comfortable doing certain moves, consider taking time to recover. If you decide to attend class make sure to let the teacher know of your injury before class starts. They may be able to make alterations to their lesson plan to accommodate you. Also let every partner you dance with know that you’re working through an injury and can’t do certain moves.

Dance Etiquette at a Class or Social

Along with the above rules there is general dance etiquette that we follow in the community that is expected of all dancers.

When Social Dancing

1. How a social dance event works:
   1. Socials are community held events. Dancing with a variety of social attendees, being on time, paying the cover, supporting the performers with cheers and paying attention to instructors during their lessons are all important aspects of being a community member.
   2. When dancing at an event it is customary to ask others to dance. This is normal and expected. See section 2.1 about how to ask.
   3. Dancers at an event typically try to practice with multiple partners throughout the event. This is normal and expected.
   4. Typically everyone dances with everyone. Intermediate and advanced dancers should dance with beginners. If you see someone who’s not being asked to dance, consider asking them yourself or point out to others that someone isn’t being asked to encourage them to dance with the person.
   5. Many socials start with a lesson, it’s good manners to take the lesson no matter your skill level.
2. Before you start dancing:
   1. When asking someone to dance, be polite. Look them in the face, actually ask them verbally and listen for a response. Never argue with the response given. If rejected, just move on and ask someone else.
   2. When rejecting a dance, try to give an actual reason why you refused the dance unless that reason would directly insult the person.
   3. If someone says no, they may say why and whether they’d be open to dancing later. “I’m taking a break right now but we can dance later,” is an example of such a response.
   4. If they say no and give no reason why, a later request is usually not welcome.
      1. Rejections (See section 5 below)
   5. You have the right to refuse or accept any dance requested for whatever reason.
   6. You do not have the right to dance with someone just because you asked. If you are denied when asking for a dance it is highly disrespectful to persist in asking immediately after receiving a “no”.
   7. Asking the same person multiple times is usually bad form at a salsa social unless there are few people to dance with at the event.
   8. If they accept your dance request, you should both walk to the floor together. Don’t make your partner chase after you.
3. While Dancing:
   1. Make sure to pay attention to your partner while dancing. If they are uncomfortable with your lead or follow it is up to you to notice and adapt as best you can.
   2. If a move or behavior your partner is doing is uncomfortable or unsafe, as per the rules above, tell the partner you don’t want to do that move or that they are hurting you.
   3. If your partner is unable to perform the move you are leading, don’t try to do that move over and over again. Always dance to the lower of the two levels in the partnership.
   4. If you and your partner do not feel comfortable rotating with other dancers either while at an event or in a class, make sure you both stand outside of the circle created by rotating partners during class so as to avoid confusion. Also let the person you’re rejecting a dance request know that you’re not rotating dance partners.
   5. If you need to end a dance before the end of a song, generally, disengaging the connection and giving a double high five is the signal that the dance is over. In cases where you don’t feel comfortable high fiving a partner and just want to walk away from them because they hurt you, weren’t listening to your requests, were dancing too close, etc. it’s better to just get out of there.
   6. If someone leaves you mid dance without a word or apparent reason, you must reflect on what happened. It’s highly likely you messed up in a major way and may need to apologize later.
4. After Dancing:
   1. A high five after a dance is common, but it’s good manners to always thank your partner for the dance and even compliment them on an aspect of their dancing you admired. “Nice turns”, “cool styling”, “your lead has improved”, etc. are appropriate things to say. Commenting on a person’s physical characteristics like their body is highly inappropriate and weird.
   2. After a dance many will take a break and may say no to requests until they get their breath. This may be for a full song but it could also be for 30 seconds. It’s important to not take rejections personally and to move on. If your hygiene is good and you attend your classes regularly you shouldn’t be getting a lot of rejections. Seek the teachers opinion if you’re getting rejected a lot
   3. Dancers attend events and classes to learn, not to find potential romantic partners. There are apps for that. Pestering community members with romantic advances is disrespectful and inappropriate.
5. Rejections
   1. If your requests to dance are denied often, reflect upon yourself. Are you dancing too aggressively? Do you smell? Have you been sweating a lot and are visibly wet? Consider easing up your lead, reapplying deodorant, or changing to a new shirt. In most cases, for leaders, being rejected is because they are dancing too close or dangerously, they are gripping the ladies’ hands too tightly or they smell bad.
   2. If a dancer is asking for dances in a disrespectful manner, dancing inappropriately, pestering community members outside of class for dates or other disrespectful behavior, they may have lost the trust of the community. In this case they are being rightfully rejected for bad behavior and will likely be banned from the school. If this is you, repent.
   3. For followers not being asked to dance, our recommendation is to ask leaders to dance instead of waiting to be asked. We also suggest going to events with your friends from class and do your first dances with them to warm up. Often you will be asked more if you are seen dancing already. This is where your classmates can be a huge help. In rare cases back leading may be a cause for leaders to avoid dancing with you but if you’ve gone through introductory lessons and graduated to level 2 this shouldn’t be an issue. Please speak to a teacher or Kevin if you’re experiencing this.

Class Etiquette

1. Before Class:
   1. Remember hygiene rules above.
   2. Bring the proper shoes or socks.
   3. Be early for class to allow for sign in or payment.
2. During Class:
   1. Recording before the end of class is not allowed.
   2. Pay close attention to the teacher’s instructions and do not talk while they are talking.
   3. Actively attempt the move you’re learning, or feel free to only watch as the teacher demonstrates. Do what works best for your learning style.
   4. Try not to block another person’s view if possible.
   5. Ask questions by raising your hand.
   6. Do not give unrequested feedback. You’re not a teacher in the class you’re attending.
   7. Request feedback from your partners if you feel comfortable. When the teacher gives the class time to practice, use this time to communicate with your partner. Ask them if it feels like you’re doing what you need to do. If your partners notice something is off, this is the perfect opportunity to ask the teacher for their opinion.
3. After Class:
   1. Recording the combination after class is sometimes done at the discretion of the teacher.
   2. If there is another class starting after yours and you are not attending that class it is inappropriate for you to stay and watch and/or record the class.
   3. If you stay in the studio space to talk to a friend please keep your voices down and make sure not to disrupt the class in progress.
   4. Do not leave your things in the studio.
   5. Dispose of trash in the proper receptacles. Do not leave water bottles, snack wrappers, or any garbage in the space. If you spill food, clean it up and notify Kevin so he can prevent ants and other pests.

At all times:

1. Treat others well.
   1. Build people up whenever possible. Everyone has good and bad days. Our classmates, teachers, and other community members may not be our family but we are a community and we help each other out when we can. That can be a kind word, remembering someone’s birthday or noticing their efforts. If someone is looking for a new job and you can help connect them to someone looking to hire please do so. If someone is seeking advice, lend them your ear. We set the tone of South Street Salsa with our behavior and the tone should be in line with our core values detailed in School Values (above).
2. Don’t tear others down
   1. Don’t speak badly about another person’s dancing or another dance school. Creating a negative environment for another community member or someone who may have come from another dance school goes against our mission.
   2. If you have specific complaints about repeated behavior by a community member please let an instructor know immediately so they can intercede.

Refund policy

The membership model used at our studio is very flexible. If you need to upgrade/downgrade your membership simply let us know. If you need to pause your membership for a personal reason, family illness or other ongoing circumstance or emergency, you must let Kevin know so that your membership can be paused or canceled. We do not refund membership dues, unattended drop-in classes, or private lessons canceled within 24 hours of start time. Please note that unused weekly classes do not carry over to the next 30 day period.

Injury Liability Waiver

I understand and agree that participating in any dance lesson or class, workshop, rehearsal or performance, there is a possibility of physical injury. I voluntarily agree, therefore, to assume all risks and responsibility for any such injury or accident, which might occur to me (or my child) during any of SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC classes, lessons, rehearsals, performances, or activities. I also exempt, release, and indemnify SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC, its owners, agents, volunteers, assistants, employees, guest artists, faculty members, and/or students from any and all liability claims, demands, or causes of action whatsoever from any damage, loss, injury, or death to me, my children, or property which may arise out of or in connection with participation in any classes or activities conducted by SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC. I further hereby voluntarily agree to waive my rights and that of my heirs and assigns to hold SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC, its owners, agents, volunteers, assistants, employees, guest artists, faculty members, and/or students liable for such damage, loss, injury, or death.  I understand that I should be aware of my physical limitations and agree not to exceed them. If I am signing this waiver for my children, I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian and have the right to waive these rights.

Media Waiver

By signing this document, I grant permission to SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC and its agents or employees, to use photographs, videos, and other forms of multimedia of me or my minor child/children for use in publications such as promotional material, social media, web site use, newsletters, magazines, and other similar publications, without notifying me.

I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished media, and I waive the right to royalties or other compensation from the use of the media.

I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product in whole or in part, whether physically or via electronic media, from and against any claims, damages, or liability arising from or related to the use of the media, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, either intentionally or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in taking, processing, reduction, or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.

Covid and Pandemic Liability Waiver

(Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19)

COVID-19, declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020, is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people. SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC abides by all guidelines on a national and state level when it comes to operation procedures regarding this virus and other health emergencies that may arise in the future; however, SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC cannot guarantee that you, your family members immediate and/or extended or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC activities could increase your, your family’s immediate and/or extended and your child(ren)’s risk of contracting COVID-19.

            By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I, my family immediate and/or extended may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC Instructors, staff, volunteers and program participants and their families.

            I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself and my family immediate and/or extended including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death; illness; damage; loss; claim; liability; or expense, of any kind; that I, my family immediate and/or extended or my child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with my child(ren)’s attendance at SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC (“claims”). On my behalf, and on behalf of my family immediate and/or extended and my child(ren), I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC, its Instructors, staff, agents, and representatives, of and from the claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.

            I understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC, its staff, Instructors, volunteers, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any SOUTH STREET SALSA LLC event.