ButterBall Shoe Policy

Because we are dancing on a lovely finished floor, we have been asked to restrict dancers' footwear to soft soles and non-marking, wide heels in order to minimize damage to the finish. Please carry in your dance shoes in order to leave street grit outside! We will be checking your shoes out at the door

Here's Why:
Contra Dance (and any turning dance for that matter) is brutal to floors. For a big part of the dance, you are spinning with all of your weight on one foot - literally grinding whatever grit is on the floor or your shoes into the floor itself. You might as well tape sandpaper to your feet and take a few turns around the room. It only takes one dancer with hard leather soles to leave unsightly circular scuffs all over a polished floor. Imagine what a hall full of dancers could do in twelve hours! We can minimize damage by wearing soft soles and by cleaning our shoes and floor.

The heel issue.
Heels that are too narrow (less than 1-1/4 inches in diameter) concentrate the dancer's weight into a small area and can leave dents in the finish or even the wood itself. Heels made of hard rubber may also leave stubborn black marks that are difficult to remove. Save those heels for dancing on linoleum and less finicky finishes.

What to Wear?

Here's how to check your shoes:

Soft sole? You should be able to dent the sole with your thumbnail.

Heels? Heels should be at least 1-1/2 inches in diameter and made of a non-marking material. You can check this by trying to "write" with the edge of the heel on a piece of white paper. If it leaves a persistent black mark, leave them at home.

Clean? Brush or wipe the soles of your dance shoes before wearing them on the dance floor.

Thanks! Your cooperation ensures we will be welcomed back for future dances!