Mile High Blues Community Agreements
We, the Mile High Blues organizing team, desire to create a space where everyone feels welcome, regardless of any aspect of identity. We recognize that we live in a society where people are not welcome based on aspects of their identity, and we are choosing to actively dismantle those systems in our spaces. By attending this event you agree to participate in these efforts towards a welcoming space. The list of agreements below should be read as non-exclusive, and should be followed in letter as well as in spirit to the best of your ability.
Blackness and Blues
Blues is a Black American dance, and Mile High Blues has been designed with the aim of specifically centering Black artists, Black history, culture and values that are found in Black communities, as well as upholding our belief that Black Lives Matter. If you are still learning about Black history, Black cultures, and the Black Lives Matter movement — and all non-Black attendees are assumed to be learning about these things — we ask that you use this event as a place to keep your mind open, listen with empathy, and let your dancing and your presence become a stepping stone in supporting us in the pursuit of these goals. We understand that we live in a culture of social and systemic racism, and that we must therefore be actively anti-racist in our approach to event design and to each other. Please dance using Blues technique, Blues aesthetics, and Blues partnering norms at this event to the best of your ability.
Blues is a Black American dance, and Mile High Blues has been designed with the aim of specifically centering Black artists, Black history, culture and values that are found in Black communities, as well as upholding our belief that Black Lives Matter. If you are still learning about Black history, Black cultures, and the Black Lives Matter movement — and all non-Black attendees are assumed to be learning about these things — we ask that you use this event as a place to keep your mind open, listen with empathy, and let your dancing and your presence become a stepping stone in supporting us in the pursuit of these goals. We understand that we live in a culture of social and systemic racism, and that we must therefore be actively anti-racist in our approach to event design and to each other. Please dance using Blues technique, Blues aesthetics, and Blues partnering norms at this event to the best of your ability.
General Agreements
be mindful of yourself and others
We come to this community with a wide range of skills, backgrounds, and experiences. We all have different needs and preferences. Use this as an invitation to state your boundaries, and listen when others ask for their own needs to be met. This includes respecting attendee requests to lead or follow, to be referred to by specific names, pronouns etc. Respect people’s autonomy and right to consent throughout dances. Read our Consent in Community information sheet for more on what consent does and doesn't look like.
While there is always some risk associated with any physical activity, we are committed to preventing injuries before they happen. Movements that increase the risk of injury include, but are not limited to: unnecessarily forceful movements, weight sharing, and moving your partner’s arm behind their body. Please exercise care, or avoid these movements. If you are unsure what constitutes unsafe dancing, please ask the organizers, the access team, or any instructor.
While there is always some risk associated with any physical activity, we are committed to preventing injuries before they happen. Movements that increase the risk of injury include, but are not limited to: unnecessarily forceful movements, weight sharing, and moving your partner’s arm behind their body. Please exercise care, or avoid these movements. If you are unsure what constitutes unsafe dancing, please ask the organizers, the access team, or any instructor.
Dance is not sex
Consent on the dance floor is not consent to any form of romantic or sexual escalation. Check in about any holds and contact points outside of hands, waists, and backs. Conversations about new romantic or sexual connections should happen outside the dance space. Established connections should remain PG-13! If you are experiencing a noticeable arousal response, please leave the dance floor until this is no longer the case.
looking after each other (allergies and illness)
- You are welcome to wear a mask as a form of self or community care.
- If you show any signs of communicable illness that cannot be explained by known allergies or similar, please do not come to the event - contact us about a pro-rated refund or pass deferment, or donating your pass to our scholarship fund. Read our Cancellation Policy for more details.
- Do not wear strong fragrances, and check your clothes for pet dander and other allergens.
- Wash your hands before and after eating!
looking after the space (weapons and intoxicants)
- We do not permit weapons in the venue, not even with a concealed carry permit.
- Alcohol and cannabis may be consumed responsibly, within the parameters established by state and federal law - please refer to our Alcohol and Cannabis Policy policy for more details.
- Smoking and vaping must occur outside the building and adhere to state and local regulations.
minors
Minors are welcome at Mile High Blues; we have several offerings to support families to attend Mile High Blues. Minors in the space may not, under any circumstances, be interacted with romantically or sexually, or offered any kind of intoxicant. Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
photography
Photography must be taken consensually, and may not be shared without the agreement of everyone identifiable in the shot. If you wish to indicate that you want no photos taken of you, please indicate so in your registration and then come to the registration desk for no-photo wristbands to wear. Please refer to our Photography Policy for more detailed guidance.
looking after yourself
If you are impaired in any way that limits your ability to follow this policy, please take a break or seek care until you can do so again. This includes the influence of alcohol, drugs, fatigue, strong emotions, etc. There will be a space at the event for quiet recharge.
be part of the team
Everyone in the community is responsible for the wellbeing of others. This includes making people feel welcome, educating yourself about community values, and helping people access care and support if they need it.
Seeking Support
The access and safety team can be reached in person or through this form. If you are experiencing an obstacle to your full participation in this event, or feel at risk or in need, please get in touch. If you are a person of color, you can indicate on the form if you would like your report addressed by a POC ambassador. Information on how reports are handled can be found in our Intervention Protocol.
This is a living document and will evolve as we learn more about what our community needs. As products of our society, we recognize that we may unintentionally recreate some of the excluding practices that exist in our society. We are learning, and we enthusiastically welcome feedback for how to make everyone feel welcome. This can also be shared through the access and safety form, or directly with the organizing team.
This is a living document and will evolve as we learn more about what our community needs. As products of our society, we recognize that we may unintentionally recreate some of the excluding practices that exist in our society. We are learning, and we enthusiastically welcome feedback for how to make everyone feel welcome. This can also be shared through the access and safety form, or directly with the organizing team.
Additional Policies
Intervention Protocol
Framework for Access and Safety
We come at access and safety work from a restorative perspective. This means that our goal is to provide as many people as possible with safe ways to be in community with us, even when that includes making pathways for learning, accountability, and community repair. This work also includes identifying and removing structural obstacles to full attendance created by identity, culture, experience of disability etc. No-one is perfect at this work, including us, and embracing our own need to improve is an essential part of supporting growth and change in others.
We aim to be proactive, rather than responsive in making spaces safer and more accessible. We will attempt to intervene before problems arise, to keep communication channels open with our community, and solicit feedback regularly to ensure that we are doing the best work we can. This includes providing transparent policy about our behavioral norms, and our response protocols, as well as holding ourselves accountable to those standards.
Please read our full Intervention Protocol for more details.
We come at access and safety work from a restorative perspective. This means that our goal is to provide as many people as possible with safe ways to be in community with us, even when that includes making pathways for learning, accountability, and community repair. This work also includes identifying and removing structural obstacles to full attendance created by identity, culture, experience of disability etc. No-one is perfect at this work, including us, and embracing our own need to improve is an essential part of supporting growth and change in others.
We aim to be proactive, rather than responsive in making spaces safer and more accessible. We will attempt to intervene before problems arise, to keep communication channels open with our community, and solicit feedback regularly to ensure that we are doing the best work we can. This includes providing transparent policy about our behavioral norms, and our response protocols, as well as holding ourselves accountable to those standards.
Please read our full Intervention Protocol for more details.
refunds and cancellations
We do not provide refunds. You may transfer, donate, or defer your pass.
In the case of illness, you may request a deferment or refund less the amount of the event you have already attended. For more details on these options, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
In the case of illness, you may request a deferment or refund less the amount of the event you have already attended. For more details on these options, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
Service animals
Attendees (which also includes Staff, Organizers, Instructors, and DJs) are permitted to be accompanied by their service animal to every part of this event. If you will be bringing a service animal, we ask that you inform safety and access staff in advance if possible, using our Access and Safety Form, so that we can make sure you are welcomed appropriately. Please read the entirety of our Service Animal Policy.
Waiver of liability and indemnity agreement
All participants are required to sign our Release of Liability before attending.