diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index 3681dd1..fea8a2b 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -38,3 +38,9 @@ app.include_router(stats.router)
 @app.get("/")
 def read_root():
     return {"Hello": "World"}
+
+@app.get("/healthz")
+def health_check():
+    """Health check endpoint for monitoring and load balancers"""
+    return {"status": "healthy"}
+
diff --git a/backend/seed_ratings.py b/backend/seed_ratings.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f51c7c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/seed_ratings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+"""
+Seed script to create demo ratings for shows and performances.
+Run with: python seed_ratings.py
+"""
+from sqlmodel import Session, create_engine, select
+from database import DATABASE_URL
+from models import Rating, Show, Performance, User
+import random
+
+def seed_ratings():
+    engine = create_engine(DATABASE_URL)
+    
+    with Session(engine) as session:
+        # Get first user (or admin) to attribute ratings to
+        user = session.exec(select(User).limit(1)).first()
+        if not user:
+            print("No users found. Please create a user first.")
+            return
+            
+        # Get some shows
+        shows = session.exec(select(Show).limit(20)).all()
+        # Get some performances
+        performances = session.exec(select(Performance).limit(50)).all()
+        
+        created_count = 0
+        
+        # Seed show ratings (7-10 range for positive feel)
+        for show in shows:
+            # Check if rating already exists
+            existing = session.exec(
+                select(Rating).where(Rating.show_id == show.id, Rating.user_id == user.id)
+            ).first()
+            if existing:
+                continue
+                
+            rating = Rating(
+                user_id=user.id,
+                show_id=show.id,
+                score=random.randint(7, 10)
+            )
+            session.add(rating)
+            created_count += 1
+        
+        # Seed performance ratings
+        for perf in performances:
+            existing = session.exec(
+                select(Rating).where(Rating.performance_id == perf.id, Rating.user_id == user.id)
+            ).first()
+            if existing:
+                continue
+                
+            rating = Rating(
+                user_id=user.id,
+                performance_id=perf.id,
+                score=random.randint(6, 10)
+            )
+            session.add(rating)
+            created_count += 1
+        
+        session.commit()
+        print(f"Created {created_count} demo ratings!")
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    seed_ratings()
diff --git a/frontend/components/layout/navbar.tsx b/frontend/components/layout/navbar.tsx
index 4695ffa..0e705a8 100644
--- a/frontend/components/layout/navbar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/components/layout/navbar.tsx
@@ -48,10 +48,7 @@ export function Navbar() {
                                 <Link href="/tours">
                                     <DropdownMenuItem>Tours</DropdownMenuItem>
                                 </Link>
-                                <DropdownMenuSeparator />
-                                <Link href="/leaderboards">
-                                    <DropdownMenuItem>Leaderboards</DropdownMenuItem>
-                                </Link>
+                                {/* Leaderboards hidden until community activity grows */}
                             </DropdownMenuContent>
                         </DropdownMenu>