Clogging

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Clogging is a traditional type of percussive folk dance which is associated with a number of different regions across the world.

Originally it wasn’t even necessarily called Clogging but was known variously as flat-footing, foot-stomping, buck dancing, jigging or by other local terms. What all these had in common was to emphasize the downbeat of the music by enthusiastic footwork.

In the U.S. it originates from the Appalachian region and is associated with the predecessor to bluegrass — "old time" music which is based on Irish and Scots-Irish fiddle tunes.

Clog dancing was a common pastime in 18th century England. It is thought to have developed in the Lancashire cotton mills where wooden-soled clogs were preferred to leather soles because the floors were kept wet to help keep the humidity high, important in cotton spinning. Clog dancers were a common sight at music halls throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century. Dan Leno became world champion clog dancer in the 1880's although records show that competitive clog dancing was a frequent occurrence throughout the 19th century.

The English Clog dance is still performed in Wales and is a regular feature of both local and national eisteddfodau. Competition can be energetic with the dancers leaping over brooms.

In the U.S., the Appalachian style of clogging, as well as many distinct styles, have developed. The modern competitive clogging style incorporates aspects of the English and Irish step dances, as well as American Appalachian clogging, French-Canadian step dance, tap and more. The high energy style has opened the form to a wide audience, and the traditional styles also continue to flourish, with hundreds of workshops and competitions every year.

Clogging is the official state dance of Kentucky as well as North Carolina.

In Europe Clogging Groups are often part of Square Dance Clubs, but some are also organised as individual Clogging Clubs.

External links

[www.ClogOn.com - Keep Clogging Strong!]
[The Doubletoe Times - Clog Dancing Magazine]
[Information about clogging contests]
[Welsh Folk Dance Society]: contains information about clog dancing in its member groups' pages.
[link]listings for clogging instructors, clog dancers, teams and clogging groups as well as clogging organizations and vendors
[link] Home of TCC - texas clogging council
[link] Southern California Clogging association
[link] Lousianna clogging association
[European Callers and Teachers association]
[CloggingWiki]
[link] Clogging team in Blairsville Georgia HIGHLAND Precision Clogging

[The Organic City] - a good example of a clog
[CloggingMoves.com (TapMoves) - A growing network of cloggers. Featuring free clogging videos.]

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