The TRBX Community

Welcome! We're so glad you're thinking about registering for Tobacco Road Blues Exchange (TRBX) this year. This event is run by RDU Blues. We're a very open, welcome, and inclusive scene. Some of our favorite things to do in our community are to socialize; dance with friends and newcomers alike; respect all our attendees regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, physical appearance, body size, age, race or dance ability; learn more about the history and culture of blues dancing; ask for consent in our dance interactions; and not make assumptions about preferred dance role based on appearance. We're also committed to maintaining a safer space—check out our list of community values below. We want to make sure that YOU and everyone around you has an excellent, safe, and comfortable time. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions at info@RDUblues.com.

RDU Blues Community Values

We strive to create a fun, safe and welcoming environment at our dances, and we have a strong community of dancers helping us maintain that atmosphere. Take a look at the following guidelines to get a sense of what our community values.

These "good people guidelines" apply to everyone attending an RDU Blues event, including organizers, staff, volunteers, and visiting instructors or musicians:

  1. We will be NICE to everyone and treat all people with respect. We will not harass anyone. We will not discriminate according to sex, gender expression or sexual orientation, nor race, religion, or nationality. We will treat everyone equally, regardless of age, ability, physical appearance, lifestyle, dance experience, or dance role.
  2. We will be WELCOMING to members of the LGBTQIA community. We will not make assumptions about preferred dance roles and will ask our partners if they prefer to lead, follow, or switch. We will embrace the use of non-gendered pronouns and respect each person's preferred pronouns. As instructors, we will use gender neutral pronouns in our teaching spaces.
  3. We will be INCLUSIVE and invite others to dance. We understand that we or others may say no without giving a reason, and we will be gracious if turned down. We understand that we are a large community with lots of potential partners, and understand that we typically only dance one song at a time with a particular partner. We will be responsible for our own fun, knowing that those who ask the most dance the most!
  4. We will be RESPONSIBLE for our own physical safety and that of others nearby. We will practice safe floor-craft and say sorry if we accidentally bump another person. We will not offer unsolicited advice or instruction, nor perform aerials on the social floor. If we consume alcohol we will do so responsibly, and we will not bring alcohol into the dance space without permission. We will not show up to a dance drunk, nor get drunk at a dance.
  5. We will take CARE of our own personal hygiene, and bring towels, spare clothing and extra deodorant if necessary. We will be considerate when choosing our clothing, footwear, and accessories and not we will not wear anything that is potentially hazardous to ourselves or to others. We will not wear strong fragrances that may be irritating to others
  6. We will RESPECT and acknowledge that the personal boundaries of others may not be the same as our own. We understand that it is ok to dance in positions with less physical contact, and we understand that we can always ask for more space, either physically or verbally. We will ask our partners before engaging in positions that may make others uncomfortable, such as dips or close embrace. We will be mindful of the appropriateness of language that some may find offensive. We will not touch anyone without consent and we will apologize immediately if we unintentionally touch a person's private areas.
  7. We UNDERSTAND that intimacy on the dance floor is not the same as physical intimacy. We will not use events run by RDU Blues as dating spaces. We acknowledge that blues and fusion dancing can be both flirty and sensual and understand that having an intimate song with a partner does not mean they want to be intimate with us off the dance floor.
  8. We VALUE clarity in our physical and verbal communication. We understand that while sometimes we communicate non-verbally, we should always ask if in doubt!
  9. We UNDERSTAND that following the above guidelines ensures a better experience for everyone and that participating in any kind of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse will have consequences. This may include, but is not limited to, being asked to leave without refund and exclusion from future events, as laid out in our anti-harassment policy.
  10. We, the organizers, PROMISE to treat any reports made, from dancers in our home scenes or elsewhere, with sensitivity and to keep all details as confidential as is possible (however, in the event of a police investigation, all information will become disclosable).
    • We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed intimidating or inappropriate behavior to tell an organizer.
    • At RDU Blues, your suggested points of contact are Caroline Leitschuh (caro.leit@gmail.com) or Ben Thomas (bathomas1987@gmail.com). If you prefer to talk in person, or would prefer to speak to another member of staff, you are welcome to do so at any event throughout the year.
    • Organizers are available for discussion and reassurance, not just formal reports – please do tell us about your concerns, even small ones – we're here for you!

Adapted from the STEPS Code of Conduct (safetyinswingdance.com)

Getting to Know Our Community

We want you to have a fun and safe time dancing with us! Here are some etiquette tips to help you feel at home right away.

Etiquette tips

  • Ask people to dance. You dance more when you ask more, so don't be shy–go ahead and ask folks to dance. Please ask verbally.
  • Accept "No, thank you" graciously. Sometimes someone doesn't want to dance with you right at that moment. No big deal. Saying no is perfectly okay, so don't take it personally if someone says no to you.
  • Accept or decline dances nicely. We encourage you to be enthusiastic about dancing with lots of different people. It's a great way to have a fun night and expand your skill. But it's also just fine to politely decline a dance, for any reason at all. Be nice about it, but a polite "No, thank you" is no big deal.
  • Don't assume dance role. Lots of folks lead sometimes and follow other times, so don't assume their role based on what they look like. It's nice to ask your partner which role they would prefer for a given dance.
  • Dance one song with one partner, usually. The tradition in our scene is to dance one song with your partner, then thank them and find a new partner for the next dance. If the song ends and you'd like to dance with the same partner again for the next song, ask them.
  • Practice good floorcraft. It gets crowded at our dances! Be careful not to run into other dancers. If you do, apologize and make sure they are okay.
  • Ask before you do dips or lifts. Small dips and lifts are okay, if you know how to do them safely. But please check with your partner first–some people may have injuries or other reasons to not want to be dipped or lifted.
  • Bring a change of shirt or a towel. It gets hot in our dances, so bring something to refresh yourself when you start to get sweaty. Your future dance partners will thank you.
  • Introduce yourself to new people. We strive to be a welcoming community, so if you are new, please introduce yourself and say hello! And if you're a regular and you see someone new, be an ambassador for our scene, say hello, and make them feel welcome.