Public service announcement:
We strive for a strong culture of consent at The Flurry. All actions, on and off the dance floor, should be consensual. This includes “little” things like asking your partners if they wish to be dipped or picked up, and bigger things like not making unwanted advances on others. This goes for all genders. Please treat everyone with kindness and respect.
If you are dancing with someone, or interacting with them in another way, and you are uncomfortable in a way that is not manageable with words, you have the right to remove yourself from the situation. Even if it’s in the middle of the dance. Your personal safety is more important than the flow of a dance. If you experience this level of problem with a fellow dancer, please report to Site Services or go to the Information Table so that we can help further.
See below for the DanceFlurry Organization’s Principles of Community Respect statement, which applies to the Flurry Festival.
What can you do to promote a culture of consent?
- Be a role model of consensual behavior:
- Be respectful of your partners and friends.
- Don’t make assumptions about what someone else might want.
- Ask questions of your dance partners and people in your circle.
For example:
- Dip?
- Lift?
- Do we have a mutual attraction thing going on?
- Is it okay if I ________?
- Respect without question that “No” means no.
And so on.
If someone is interacting with you in a way that you are not comfortable with, use your voice.
For example:
- No
- Stop
- I don’t like that.
- Put a hand up to signal a stop.
And so on.
Let’s all be kind and respectful and have an amazing Flurry!
DanceFlurry Organization Principles of Community Respect
The Dance Flurry Organization upholds the values of inclusivity, thoughtfulness, and mutual respect, and strives to make its events feel safe and welcoming for all participants.
Culture of Consent: All actions, on and off the dance floor, should be consensual. Dance moves should be led/offered verbally or non-verbally, never forced. Anyone may decline a request to dance, or ask that a partner hold or engage with them differently. Unwanted advances are never acceptable.
Culture of Respect: Everyone is welcome and encouraged to choose the role they want to dance, and we expect that all participants will respect the role choices of others. Understand that some individuals may choose to wear masks for health reasons. Treat everyone with kindness and respect – this applies to all genders, ages, races, abilities, neurotypes, or any of the other variables that make us unique.
Culture of Communication: Ask your partner about their comfort with flourishes, close embraces, twirls, or dips, and adjust your dance style to their needs and abilities. Tell your partner what you need, and if someone asks you to refrain from something, be courteous and cooperative. If someone is doing something that makes you uncomfortable, let them know, and if needed remove yourself from the situation and contact a volunteer.
Culture of Safety: Traditional dancing is a social event, and not inherently romantic or sexual. Things like eye contact and close embrace may feel normal and appropriate for some people or in some contexts, and uncomfortable and inappropriate for others. If your partner communicates discomfort, respond and adjust respectfully. Event organizers value your safety more than your politeness, and you should feel empowered to leave any interaction at any time. For the safety of all, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use are not permitted at DFO events.
Culture of Responsiveness: If you find yourself in a situation where you do not feel you are being treated appropriately and feel you need help managing the situation, please seek out a volunteer or event organizer and ask for their help.
Flurry has a zero tolerance policy towards acts of discrimination, violence, offensive attitudes, or other inappropriate behaviors towards any festival attendee. If remediation by other means is insufficient, we reserve the right to remove from the festival, without refund, any participant in violation of our community principles.
If you have a concern or complaint about someone’s behavior during Flurry, please approach a Site Services volunteer in a bright vest, or go to the Information Table. You may remain anonymous if desired. You may also report a concern after the festival to admin@flurryfestival.org.
View Paul Rosenberg’s May 2025 letter to the Flurry community.