Energy… Excitement… Clogging!
Clogging? What is it?
Well, for a start, it may help to know that we are not talking about dancing with wooden shoes; and we’re definitely not talking about stopped up plumbing. We’re talking about a spectacularly energetic form of percussive dance!
Clogging is engaging to watch and, as a dancer, even more exciting to participate in. It’s like drumming on the floor with your shoes; and maybe the best thing about it is that most anyone, of any age, girl, boy, woman, or man can do it!
Clogging, also known by names like clog dancing and Power Tap, is relatively young in the Pacific Northwest. With its origins in the Appalachian mountain region of the Eastern US, it has been an art form in the US for over 300 years; it’s even the official state folk dance of North Carolina.
Traditional clogging incorporates the very lively “drag/slide” technique into its steps; this technique produces the pronounced up, down, bouncing energy that is considered classic clogging.
This traditional technique, taught at Silver Creek Clogging, brings a dynamic energy to the dance that makes it especially unique in its tendency to captivate audiences and performers alike, so that all who participate are left energized and wanting for more.
Because clogging originated in remote areas of Appalachia, the dance’s ability to spread beyond its rural roots in the Eastern US was somewhat inhibited. However, clogging has gained in popularity in recent decades and is now beginning to take off across the US as well as in other countries, including Canada and Australia.
In the Pacific Northwest, social clog dancing clubs have been around for many years and contemporary clog dancing studios are starting to become more common.
Why not clogging in Salem, Albany, and Silverton?
Today’s contemporary clogging studios, including Silver Creek Clogging, are bringing the art and love of clogging into the mainstream with up-to-date costuming, challenging footwork, modern dance moves, and routines performed to a variety of music genres including pop, hip-hop, country, bluegrass, and, really, most any music with an excellent beat – whatever the groove.
You can learn the basics about how to drag, slide, and get into the clogging groove by clicking here to sign up for our beginning clog dancing video lesson series.
