PAYMENTS
Payments are due before class begins. Cash, cheque, and e-transfer are accepted.
Refunds cannot be given for missed classes once the session begins, except in extenuating circumstances.
Examples of extenuating circumstances: extended illness or injury and emergency travel.
MAKE-UP CLASSES
If you sign up for a class series and know you will not be able to attend a couple of classes, let us know what dates you will be absent. We will work with you to make up your missed material.
If you miss a class and did not mention it before the class starts (for example, you catch a cold or you have car trouble), you are not eligible for make-up classes or lessons.
ROLE BALANCE
Pre-registration is required, as all classes are role-balanced (or even-numbered, in the case of role-switching classes).
PARTNERS
If you attend class with a partner, you don’t have to switch (but it’s more fun if you do). If you do not have a partner, you must rotate partners throughout class.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
(updated February 2025)
- Please do not come to class if you are feeling ill or have any symptoms of cold, flu, or COVID–19.
- If you become ill, please do not come back to tango events until you are no longer contagious and feel completely better.
- Masks are welcome in our classes, should you choose to wear one.
CONDUCT
When you attend a Siempre Tango Ottawa event, participants agree to our rules of conduct, whether they are explicitly mentioned during the event or if participants have had the opportunity to review these guidelines beforehand.
Safety comes first. It’s impossible to have fun if we don’t feel safe. Any behavior that endangers our partner, other patrons, or the organizers will be addressed immediately.
- Be welcoming and open to practice with others.
- Be mindful of your personal grooming.
- Feedback about comfort and safety is always acceptable. Everyone should adapt to create a comfortable embrace and an atmosphere of respect.
- Discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, profession, dance skills, and/or dance role is unacceptable.
- Harassment of any form (verbal, physical, psychological, or virtual) is prohibited at our events. Unwelcome behavior, especially that repeated after concerns are voiced, will be addressed immediately.
- Harassment includes, and is not limited to, offensive verbal comments, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of events, and unwelcome sexual attention.
- Unwanted touch will not be tolerated and will be addressed immediately. Physical contact outside the tango embrace, including but not limited to the upper torso, ribs, waist, or lower back, must involve the consent of both parties.
- Dancers uncomfortable with tango movements including, but not limited to, close embrace, leg wraps, or sacadas, are encouraged to share their preferences and boundaries. It is allowed and encouraged to share those preferences at any time before, during, or after the dance. Disregard of verbal or non-verbal boundaries is strictly prohibited.
- During classes and prácticas, excessive instruction or feedback from those who are not Siempre Tango instructors or appointed teaching assistants is unwelcome.
- We occasionally photograph or video at events for promotional purposes. We respect each individual’s preference for privacy. Please speak to us if you would rather not be filmed or photographed. In terms of photography taken by individuals, please be mindful of others who might not want to have images published publicly on social media. Permission is to be asked before posting or using those photos.
