dance -- percussive dance

Appalachian Clogging

One of my favorite dances to do and teach is Appalachian Clogging (video 12 mb). Defining Appalachian style Clogging today usually involves contrasting it with so-called "modern clogging."

How can you tell the difference between the two? Look at their shoes. If they're white and moving very fast, chances are good that they are modern cloggers. If they look like they might be a mountaneer or a vegetarian, chances are good that they are Appalachian style cloggers.

Of course you could always look at the dancing itself. Stylistically, the two types of clogging differ as follows:

Characteristics of Appalachian Clogging:

• danced to live old-time music (or bluegrass)
• danced in interactive figures (like square dancing)
• shoes are hard leather, single taps, or nothing in particular
• dancers wear jeans or traditional dresses
• steps are simple and rough
• comepare this to "Modern" clogging, below

Modern Clogging

For better or worse, this is a dance I don't, or rather won't do, unless circumstances are extremely extenuating. I won't go into it...

Characteristics of "Modern" Clogging:

• danced to modern recorded music
• danced in non-interactive straight lines
• dancers wear white shoes, & rattle taps
• performance costumes are shiny and sparkle
• steps are often flashy and complicated
• compare this to Appalachian clogging, above