AGREEMENT OF ATTENDANCE

 

• Contact Festival South Africa creates and maintains an open, clear, safe, creative, inclusive, and expansive space.

• By entering the Contact Improvisation practice space, you agree that other participants may approach you for a dance while also recognising your right to withdraw from contact or set boundaries at any time. If you need help, our team is ready to listen and support.

• Before engaging in body practice, ensure there is mutual consent.
  If you are unsure whether there is non-verbal consent/body language, ask verbally and get a clear response.

• Pushing, pinching, tickling, trapping, massage, and kissing without consent during and outside of the dance floor are not acceptable forms of self-expression in the festival space.

• Each participant is responsible for the safety of their body, being aware of its physical capabilities.
  Always take enough time to warm up, and enter and exit the practice as you feel.

• CI is not defined by a specific set of body movements; however, there are safety rules where we do not block a partner or use our hands for closed grips on other dancers limbs.

• If you practice static forms during jams – standing, sitting, or lying down – move to the edge of the hall to avoid obstructing dynamic dance for others.

• Do not come to practice if you show signs of any contagious diseases (cold, viruses, skin infections, etc.).

• Ensure your practice clothing is clean, fresh, and free of zippers, large buttons, jewellery, and other items that could injure yourself or another participant during the dance.

• Maintain good personal hygiene, shower regularly and keep your nails short. If your clothes become sweaty during practice, be sure to have a fresh shirt to change into.

• Avoid synthetic chemical smells of perfumes, shampoos, aftershaves and deodorants before practice.

• CI is a physical practice where sexual arousal may sometimes occur during dance. However, CI does not explore sexuality; this is rather a distraction from the possible depth of CI. Therefore, we suggest that in such circumstances, you do not chase the arousal but simply notice and allow it to pass.

• Our festival is not a place for open sexual behavior or seeking sexual partners.

• If you experience unwanted sexual overtones during the dance, you can and should stop the dance without hesitation. If you find it difficult to give direct feedback to your dance partner and need support, contact one of the festival organizers who will help you resolve the situation.

• We treat the dance floor as a sacred place and invite you to share this attitude with us.
  During practice, we maintain silence and avoid loud conversations.
  We do not use mobile phones, laptops, or other devices on the dance floor.

• The use of any substances or techniques that impair one’s ability to practice Contact Improvisation and be present in the space are strongly discouraged. 

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