Welcome to The Dance Forum! Our goal is to create a vibrant, supportive, and informative community space for everyone passionate about dance – from ballet to breaking, contemporary to capoeira, salsa to swing, and everything in between. To ensure a positive experience for all members, please read and adhere to the following rules and guidelines. By participating, you agree to these terms.

Core Principles:

1. Respect Everyone:

   • Treat all members with courtesy and respect, regardless of their background, skill level, dance style preference, or opinion.
   • Respect All Dance Forms: This is a space for all dance. Avoid elitism, derogatory comments, or generalizations about specific styles or genres. Celebrate the diversity of dance!
   • No personal attacks, insults, harassment, bullying, trolling, or hate speech (including discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, skill level, or dance style).
   • Disagreements are normal, especially in art, but keep discussions civil and focused on the topic, not the person. Assume good faith.

2. Keep it Relevant & Constructive:

   • Stay on topic within threads. If you have a new question or topic, start a new thread in the appropriate category.
   • Use clear and descriptive titles for your threads.
   • Post in the most relevant forum category (e.g., "Ballet Technique," "Hip-Hop Events," "Choreography Discussion").
   • Constructive Feedback: When offering critique or technical advice (especially on shared videos/photos), be constructive, specific, and supportive. Focus on observations ("I notice...") rather than harsh judgments ("That's wrong"). Remember that unsolicited critique may not always be welcome unless explicitly requested.
   • Search before posting to avoid duplicating existing topics.

3. Content Guidelines:

   • Language: Keep language generally appropriate for a diverse audience (think PG-13). Avoid excessive profanity.
   • Copyright & Credit: Do not post copyrighted materials (full articles, paid videos, illegal music downloads) without permission. When sharing publicly available links, photos, or videos, give credit to the original creators (choreographer, dancer, photographer, source) whenever possible and appropriate.
   • No Spam or Excessive Self-Promotion: Sharing relevant information about your classes, workshops, or performances may be allowed in designated areas (if you create one, e.g., "Events & Opportunities") or subtly in signatures, but repeated, irrelevant promotion or purely commercial posts are considered spam. (Define your policy clearly - e.g., "New members cannot post promotional links," or "One promotional post per week in the designated board").
   • No Illegal Content: Do not post links to illegal streams, downloads, or engage in discussions promoting illegal activities.
   • Safety First (Dance & Online):
     • Health/Technique Disclaimer: Information shared here is for discussion and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or qualified dance instruction. Always consult certified instructors, doctors, or physical therapists for specific technical training, health concerns, or injury management. The Dance Forum is not liable for any injuries or issues arising from advice followed here.
     • Be cautious about sharing sensitive personal information.
     • Do not post private information about others (doxxing).
   • NSFW Content: This is generally not a place for Not Safe For Work content. Avoid sexually explicit material. Discussions or images related to artistic nudity (e.g., anatomical studies, costume design, certain performance art) must be directly relevant to dance, non-gratuitous, and clearly marked/warned if potentially sensitive. Moderator discretion applies.

4. Forum Etiquette:

   • Use formatting (paragraphs, lists) to make your posts easy to read.
   • Avoid typing in ALL CAPS, as it comes across as shouting.
   • Report problematic posts to the moderators using the report function rather than engaging in public arguments or "calling out" users.
   • Do not create multiple accounts to bypass rules or bans.
   • Respect moderator decisions. If you disagree, contact a moderator privately and respectfully.

Enforcement:

• These rules are enforced by the moderation team.
• Violations may result in post/thread removal, warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent banning from the forum, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense.
• Moderators have the final say in interpreting and enforcing these rules.
• These guidelines may be updated periodically. Please check back occasionally. (Include a "Last Updated: [Date]" at the top or bottom).

Concluding Note:

"Let's build a fantastic community together! Share your passion, ask questions, offer support, and enjoy exploring the diverse world of dance. Happy posting!"