History of Clog Dancing in North Carolina in 1950s and 1960s.
I
recently came across a video of the Echo Inn Cloggers featured on the
Jimmy Dean TV show in the 1950s. This team was a national champion team
from Hendersonville, NC. Their step was freestyle, but at the end of the
second routine, they lined up and did a flapjack in unison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASV601P_hXc
What
struck me is the similarity to how Kay Wilkins introduced precision
clogging to the square dance world at the National Championships in
Slade, Kentucky in 1948. According to what she told me when I visited
her in her home at Plumtree, NC, at that time she had recently started
the smooth dance and clogging team programs at Cranberry School, which
was consolidated to form Avery County High School in the mid 1960s. She
took the dancers to Kentucky for the competition and stunned the square
dance world by lining up and doing a precision step at the end. Since
the flapjack was very popular in Avery County, I imagine that they did
the flapjack, probably very similar to what we see in the second routine
by the Echo Inn Cloggers.
In 1964 the Blue Ridge
Mountain Dancers of Hendersonville were filmed by David Hoffman of New
York in the home of Bascom Lamar Lunsford. This celebrated historic
archive has been viewed over a million times on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs2j8f7H2WY
By
this time, the step was being styled with a syncopation and strong down
and back movement that distinguishes clogging from the buck step.
Clogging was very popular in Hendersonville during that era.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Video from 1981 Clog College Uploaded to YouTube
I have uploaded some new clogging videos to YouTube. These videos are taken from footage I filmed at the 1981 Clog College at Fontana Dam Village and are of historical interest because that was the time when major changes were afoot that would bring about the era of modern clogging. Probably the first all-female clogging team was the Moonshine Cloggers. Until that time, most clogging teams were gender balanced. In 1981, the "syncopated step" was being taught as something that enhanced the dance and was being encouraged to be incorporated if you wanted to have a better routine. This step was done a cappella because it did not go with the music and represented a major departure from the rules of traditional clogging. Probably most significant was the emergence of Burton Edwards in 1980. He presented a new basic step that differed from what everyone else was doing, and he was present at the 1981 Clog College demonstrating his step, although not teaching it at that point. Sammy Simpson, one of the judges at the World Championship, gave a lengthy workshop session that seemed to embrace some of what Burton was doing, but more or less tried to define traditional clogging. Here are the URLs.
Moonshine Cloggers
http://youtu.be/DQgYgXev7ss
Carolina Cut-Ups, featuring Burton Edwards
http://youtu.be/W80OpjqpfV8
Burton Edwards in a duet routine
http://youtu.be/GOsn2oAQwps
Sammy Simpson
http://youtu.be/rMz8vXNyoww
Mike Cassidy of Kentucky
http://youtu.be/i2Eau6Us4IA
Syncopated step instruction
http://youtu.be/D8-dAoZs2w8
A Team from Kentucky
http://youtu.be/dwozsuqcnlg
A Duet (I think from Georgia)
http://youtu.be/uKTKOZinukM
Men open dancing
http://youtu.be/TEKH9GjZ9pQ
Women open dancing
http://youtu.be/8Pt64ss-ujQ
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
April 2012 Clogging Class & Workshop
Announcing – Clogging Workshop & Class
1. What: Beginner Clogging Workshop
Where: Championz Cheer and Dance Studio
Location: 3744 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC 28104
When: April 21
What Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Instructor: Allen Cooke, director of former Skyline Cloggers of Charlotte
Ages: All ages: Kids, 7-ish to Adults, 70-ish
Price: $20 (Cheap!)
Description:
A one-day workshop in traditional step clog dancing will be held on Saturday, April 21. Clogging is an original North Carolina Folk Dance and is great aerobic exercise. You can get into the best physical condition attainable and preserve a NC heritage. This is not a class in percussive flatfoot, buck or modern clogging.
2. What: Intermediate Clogging Class
Where: Championz Cheer and Dance Studio
Location: 3744 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC 28104 • 704-821-2409
When: April 26 – May 24 (5 weeks)
What Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Instructor: Allen Cooke, director of former Skyline Cloggers of Charlotte
Ages: All ages: Kids, 7-ish to Adults, 70-ish
Price: $20 (Cheap!)
Description:
A 5-week class on Thursday nights in traditional step clog dancing for intermediates begins April 26. This is not a class in percussive flatfoot, buck or modern clogging.
Please help me pass the word by forwarding this announcement to anyone you think may be interested!
Thank you!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Skyline Cloggers steps drill
I have posted on You Tube a steps drill by the Skyline Cloggers, made back in 1981.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_dERe8Ub3A
We had a video recorder in practice one evening and filmed some routines and drilled on basic steps. Unfortunately much was taped over later. The only other thing left by the Skyline Cloggers is the Foggy Mountain Breakdown rehearsal that had the first quarter or so of the routine taped over. That has been on You Tube a good while. What taped over the practice session was video I made at Fontana in the spring of 1981 when I attended a Clog College. I filmed a good bit of the instruction and open dancing. When I am able to get it converted to digital, I will post it in excerpts on You Tube and mention it here. Among that video is footage of the Carolina Cutups when Burton Edwards introduced his "pitter patter" step. I think the clog college video has a lot of historical significance to anyone interested in seeing how clogging changed from the traditional style to the modern style.
My own style was influenced largely from two teams, the Avery County High School Cloggers, for their general style, and the Daniel Boone Cloggers, for their style and especially for their speed. Both of these teams are from the high mountain country of the Appalachian Mountains in northwestern North Carolina, an area largely settled by Scottish immigrants. I think the Scottish influence is present in the style of the teams from this area, particularly another team from the area called the Grandfather Mountain Cloggers. These three teams made up the nucleus of an awesome scene of clogging in the 1970s. I would say too, that my style was influenced by the Green Grass Cloggers, in that I liked their high stepping and kicks, as well as their choreography. Kay Wilkins, the director of the Avery County High School Cloggers, told me that she saw the Green Grass Cloggers and liked their high kicks too, and adapted some for her routines. Her style was less syncopated than those of the Green Grass Cloggers, and I pretty much followed the same style.
I have always been proud to tell people that early in my clogging career, up in Virginia at Ralph Stanley's bluegrass festival in Dickenson County while dancing around in the grass all weekend, an old-timer told me that I reminded him of the way some people danced many years before. This was many years ago, in 1977. So I never wanted to change my style of dance much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_dERe8Ub3A
We had a video recorder in practice one evening and filmed some routines and drilled on basic steps. Unfortunately much was taped over later. The only other thing left by the Skyline Cloggers is the Foggy Mountain Breakdown rehearsal that had the first quarter or so of the routine taped over. That has been on You Tube a good while. What taped over the practice session was video I made at Fontana in the spring of 1981 when I attended a Clog College. I filmed a good bit of the instruction and open dancing. When I am able to get it converted to digital, I will post it in excerpts on You Tube and mention it here. Among that video is footage of the Carolina Cutups when Burton Edwards introduced his "pitter patter" step. I think the clog college video has a lot of historical significance to anyone interested in seeing how clogging changed from the traditional style to the modern style.
My own style was influenced largely from two teams, the Avery County High School Cloggers, for their general style, and the Daniel Boone Cloggers, for their style and especially for their speed. Both of these teams are from the high mountain country of the Appalachian Mountains in northwestern North Carolina, an area largely settled by Scottish immigrants. I think the Scottish influence is present in the style of the teams from this area, particularly another team from the area called the Grandfather Mountain Cloggers. These three teams made up the nucleus of an awesome scene of clogging in the 1970s. I would say too, that my style was influenced by the Green Grass Cloggers, in that I liked their high stepping and kicks, as well as their choreography. Kay Wilkins, the director of the Avery County High School Cloggers, told me that she saw the Green Grass Cloggers and liked their high kicks too, and adapted some for her routines. Her style was less syncopated than those of the Green Grass Cloggers, and I pretty much followed the same style.
I have always been proud to tell people that early in my clogging career, up in Virginia at Ralph Stanley's bluegrass festival in Dickenson County while dancing around in the grass all weekend, an old-timer told me that I reminded him of the way some people danced many years before. This was many years ago, in 1977. So I never wanted to change my style of dance much.
Friday, February 24, 2012
March 2012 Clogging class announcement
Announcing
What: Beginners Clogging Class
Where: Championz Cheer and Dance Studio
Location: 3744 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC 28104
When: March 15 – April 12 (5 weeks)
What Time: Beginners 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Instructor: Allen Cooke, director of former Skyline Cloggers of Charlotte
Ages: All ages, Kids (7-ish) to Adults (70-ish)
Price: $20 (Cheap!)
Description:
A 5-week class on Thursday nights in traditional step clog dancing begins March 15. Clogging is an original North Carolina Folk Dance and is great aerobic exercise. You can get into the best physical condition attainable and preserve a NC heritage. This is not a class in percussive flatfoot, buck or modern clogging.
Contact: 704-366-3334 (Allen Cooke)
704-821-2409 (Championz Cheer and Dance)
3744 Pleasant Plains Road
Matthews, NC 28104
Please help me pass the word by forwarding this announcement to anyone you think may be interested!
Thank you!
Friday, December 30, 2011
January 2012 Clogging Class Announcement
Announcing
What: Beginners Clogging Class
Where: Championz Cheer and Dance Studio
Location: 3744 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC 28104
When: January 26 – February 23 (5 weeks)
What Time: Beginners 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Instructor: Allen Cooke, director of former Skyline Cloggers of Charlotte
Ages: All Ages, Kids (7-ish) & Up
Price: $20
Description:
A 5-week class on Thursday nights in traditional step clog dancing begins January 26. Clogging is an original North Carolina Folk Dance and is great aerobic exercise. You can get into the best physical condition attainable and preserve a NC heritage. This is not a class in percussive flatfoot, buck or modern clogging.
Contact: 704-366-3334 (Allen Cooke)
704-821-2409 (Championz Cheer and Dance)
3744 Pleasant Plains Road
Matthews, NC 28104
Please help me pass the word by forwarding this announcement to anyone you think may be interested!
Thank you!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
October 2011 Clogging Class Announcement
Announcing
What: Clogging Class
Where: Championz Cheer and Dance Studio
Location: 3744 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC 28104
When: October 6 – November 17 (7 weeks)
What Time: Beginners 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Instructor: Allen Cooke, director of former Skyline Cloggers of Charlotte
Ages: Kids (7-ish) & Up
Price: $22
Description:
A 7-week class on Thursday nights in traditional step clog dancing begins October 6. In addition to steps, the class will include some basic figures. Clogging is an original North Carolina Folk Dance and is great aerobic exercise. You can get into the best physical condition attainable and preserve a NC heritage. This is not a class in percussive flatfoot, buck or modern clogging.
Contact: 704-366-3334 (Allen Cooke)
704-821-2409 (Championz Cheer and Dance)
3744 Pleasant Plains Road
Matthews, NC 28104
Please help me pass the word by forwarding this announcement to anyone you think may be interested!
Thank you!
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