The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival is dedicated to providing a safe space and harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of event attendees, artists, volunteers, or employees in any form. Any person violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, offensive images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of dances, classes or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Attendees asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Instructors, performers, musicians, and New Orleans Swing Dance Festival staff both paid and volunteer are also subject to the anti-harassment policy.
We expect all attendees, artists, volunteers, and employees to adhere to this code of conduct at all event venues and event-related social events.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a New Orleans Swing Dance Festival staff member immediately.
New Orleans Swing Dance Festival staff will be happy to help attendees contact the event director, venue security, local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.
Feel free to contact us at any time with questions or concerns. We are here to help if you need it, and all correspondence will remain private. lindyshowdown@gmail.com
***Please keep in mind The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival & Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown is not officially affiliated with French Quarter Fest and we do not control any FQF activities. Please see the French Quarter Fest website for their own festival policies.
Covid-19 Policy
Health Department – Coronavirus – COVID Restrictions – City of New Orleans (nola.gov)
There will be no mask requirement to attend this event and proof of vaccination is not required. However, we strongly recommend being up to date on vaccines and welcome mask wearing if it makes you feel comfier. This should go without saying, but please DO NOT come to any events if you feel sick in any way.
General Safety Within New Orleans City-Limits
Like any major city in which there is great economic disparity alongside tourism, crime can happen. For your own safety, DO NOT walk anywhere by yourself, especially at night. Even if it seems like it might be ok. Even if the area you’re staying in seems safe. Even if it’s in the French Quarter where there are lots of people. After dark, always walk in groups and remain vigilant at all times. Don’t walk down the street looking at your phone. Don’t wander into neighborhoods you know nothing about. Take care of each other. If you see a swing dancer without walking buddies, let them tag along when walking from venue to venue. Safety is always in numbers. Let’s take care of each other.
New Orleans Music Venue Etiquette
Our city is full of opportunities to dance. You will hear jazz, swing, and blues in almost every club in the city. Keep in mind that our music clubs are not just for dancers, but also for tourists and music fans who don’t dance, and these spaces are to be shared. Take notice when a venue might not be for listening and not dancing. (For example, Preservation Hall is a listening space and not a dance space.) When in a venue that is dance friendly, always be trying to make space for others including folks who just want to stand and watch the band. Lindy hoppers – you probably won’t be able to swing out real big without making it feel unfriendly for others to also be on the dance floor. Please don’t enter a club without supporting the bar and/or their restaurant. Making even the smallest effort to our cultural economy is a good thing. If you don’t drink alcohol, that’s ok. Just buy a coke or a bottle of water then. (Or have a friend buy you one if you can’t afford to help support the bar.) If there is a band playing music, please tip them. (Or have a friend tip them for you.) Please don’t be a person who walks in, dances a whole set, and then leaves without supporting the bar or tipping the band in some way. Musicians and service industry workers notice these things and it gives swing dancers a bad reputation. Help us show that swing dancers are the best and most respectful music fans out there!
And lastly, HAVE FUN OUT THERE!