What is Clogging
What is Clogging?Clogging, sometimes described as Appalachian Mountain Folk Dance, is an energetic and enjoyable form of dance with its origins in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the United States.
It is a percussive dance, which means the dancers use their feet to create rhythmic sounds while dancing to the music. Modern cloggers wear special shoes fitted with double taps, which produce the distinctive sound associated with clogging.
Despite its name, clogging is not danced in wooden clogs!
The name has remained from its historical origins, although early forms of the dance have also been known as buck dancing, flatfooting or simply dancing.
Where did Clogging come from?Clogging developed in the Appalachian region of the United States, where different cultures and styles of dance came together over many generations.
It has strong connections with the traditional step dances brought to America from the British Isles and Europe, together with influences from African American and Native American dance traditions.
Over time, these influences developed into the distinctive Appalachian dance styles that eventually evolved into the Clogging we enjoy today.
Traditional and Modern CloggingIn the United States, Clogging developed into two broad styles — traditional Appalachian dancing and precision or modern Clogging.
Traditional Appalachian dance can still be found in areas including western North Carolina, West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. It is often danced to live Appalachian string-band or bluegrass music featuring instruments such as fiddle, banjo and guitar.
Modern or Precision Clogging developed during the 20th century and can be danced to an enormous variety of music.
Country music remains popular, but today's Clogging can be danced to rock, pop, old favourites and contemporary music — just about anything with a good beat!
Modern Clogging is generally performed with dancers following the same choreographed sequence of steps together. A Cuer or Leader calls the steps while the dancers perform them in time with the music.
This is the style of Clogging most commonly danced in Australia.
Fun, Fitness and FriendshipClogging provides great exercise without feeling like an exercise class. As you progress, you learn different steps and combinations and put them together to dance complete routines.
You don't need previous dance experience to start. The steps are taught gradually, giving new dancers time to become comfortable and build their confidence.
Like Square Dancing and Round Dancing, Clogging is about much more than learning steps.
It's about music, movement, laughter and friendship.
And there is something particularly satisfying about hearing a whole floor of cloggers dancing together in rhythm!
Come along, put on your dancing shoes and discover the fun of Clogging.
It is a percussive dance, which means the dancers use their feet to create rhythmic sounds while dancing to the music. Modern cloggers wear special shoes fitted with double taps, which produce the distinctive sound associated with clogging.
Despite its name, clogging is not danced in wooden clogs!
The name has remained from its historical origins, although early forms of the dance have also been known as buck dancing, flatfooting or simply dancing.
Where did Clogging come from?Clogging developed in the Appalachian region of the United States, where different cultures and styles of dance came together over many generations.
It has strong connections with the traditional step dances brought to America from the British Isles and Europe, together with influences from African American and Native American dance traditions.
Over time, these influences developed into the distinctive Appalachian dance styles that eventually evolved into the Clogging we enjoy today.
Traditional and Modern CloggingIn the United States, Clogging developed into two broad styles — traditional Appalachian dancing and precision or modern Clogging.
Traditional Appalachian dance can still be found in areas including western North Carolina, West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. It is often danced to live Appalachian string-band or bluegrass music featuring instruments such as fiddle, banjo and guitar.
Modern or Precision Clogging developed during the 20th century and can be danced to an enormous variety of music.
Country music remains popular, but today's Clogging can be danced to rock, pop, old favourites and contemporary music — just about anything with a good beat!
Modern Clogging is generally performed with dancers following the same choreographed sequence of steps together. A Cuer or Leader calls the steps while the dancers perform them in time with the music.
This is the style of Clogging most commonly danced in Australia.
Fun, Fitness and FriendshipClogging provides great exercise without feeling like an exercise class. As you progress, you learn different steps and combinations and put them together to dance complete routines.
You don't need previous dance experience to start. The steps are taught gradually, giving new dancers time to become comfortable and build their confidence.
Like Square Dancing and Round Dancing, Clogging is about much more than learning steps.
It's about music, movement, laughter and friendship.
And there is something particularly satisfying about hearing a whole floor of cloggers dancing together in rhythm!
Come along, put on your dancing shoes and discover the fun of Clogging.