The Contra Dancer Purity Test
There are [72] possible questions. Count the number of "yeses," subtract that from the number of possible questions to come up with your purity score. Less is "better," for some definitions of better. (When we get a good, and comprehensive list done, I'll post this on the blog and then we'll be able to keep score.)
Danced both lead and follow (as the ladies and gents)?
Danced both lead and follow in the same dance?
Gender swapped (any kind) at a regional dance (not dance weekend)?
Have you been dipped?
Danced the majority of the dances in single dance (i.e. 4 hour period) in the non-expected gender role?
Have you dipped your partner in a dance?
Have you dipped your partner during the dance (i.e. not at the end)?
Have you dipped your partner face first?
Have you dipped your partner more than three times in a single dance?
Gender swapped a partner without asking?
Had your partner gender swap you without asking?
Have you been dipped face first?
Danced a dance in the "wrong" gender role from the one you present in day to day life in a mixed-gender couple?
Have you been dipped more than three ways in a single dance?
Have you omitted a conventional swing (i.e. buzz step/walking/blues dancing) to do something totally different?
Have you blues danced with your partner/neighbor during a contra?
Have you conspired with your partner/neighbor/shadow to change a dance? (e.g. replace do si dos with swings, replacing gypsies with balances).
Can you successfully do contra corners?
Have you attended a dance weekend?
Attended more than one dance weekend in a year?
Do you have more than one "dance crush?"
Have you called a dance?
Have you called an evening of dance?
Have you been paid to call a dance?
Have you participated in group singings (sacred harp or otherwise) during the break at a contra dance?
Have you played in a contra dance band?
Have you been paid to play for a contra dance?
Have you dated someone in the dance community?
Do you Hambo?
Do you sing Sacred Harp?
Do you Schottische?
Do you own more than one pair of dance shoes?
Do you Tango?
Have you changed your clothing without leaving the dance room?
Do you Morris dance?
Have you ever slept on someone's floor in order to be able to attend a dance weekend or contra dance?
Have you ever booked a partner ahead?
Have you ever booked more partners ahead than you have fingers for?
Have you ever gotten a partner, found out that the next dance is a waltz/square, and said "the next contra too?"
Have you ever double booked yourself for a single dance?
Have you ever booked ahead more than a week?
...A month?
...A year?
Have you ever danced every single dance in an evening?
In a marathon dance (4 hours or more)?
In a dance weekend?
Do you run for the chaos set?
Do you instigate the chaos set?
Have you done "crossover contra?" (techno, hiphop, african, etc)
Have you ever twirled or been twirled more than once (out of a swing, ladies chain, etc.)?
More than twice?
Have you ever traveled to get to a dance event for more hours than the length of the event you were going to?
Have you ever danced a threesome?
Have you written or co-written a dance?
Have you ever done 3 or more different kinds of swing holds with your partner during a dance?
5 or more?
Have you been to a contra dance wedding?
Have you married a contra dancer?
Do you own more than 3 CDs of contra dance music?
...More than 6 CDs?
...More than 9?
Have you been in a leadership position (organizer, board member) for your local dance?
For a dance weekend?
Have you accepted a ride to or from a dance with someone you'd never met before?
Can you Hambo as either gender role?
Did you attend your first contra dance before you were old enough to buy alcohol?
Before you were old enough to drive a car?
Before your age hit double digits?
Have you ever predicted the name or author of a dance before the caller announced it?
Have you danced in more than 3 states?
More than 8 states?
More than 15 states?