Green Mountain Cloggers
Exhibition Dance Team

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Clogging is a type of dance that claims many origins, but it continues to be a source of fun and a chance to socialize for our members and many cloggers throughout the world. Our team traditions originated in the Appalachian mountains from people just getting together and dancing for hours on end with each other and as competition with other individuals.

The dance form combines solo clogging footwork and square dancing, each with totally separate origins. The clogging itself is characterized by the footwork - often done in leather-soled shoes and, in many places, with one of many types of metal or wood taps on the balls, heels, or both. In traditional dances, a lot of the old square dance figures are done, except usually in a circle and with a different style unlike the square dance form.

Although the dance form known as "clogging" has many different definitions within the US, the origin of Southern Appalachian Traditional clogging is basically the culture mentioned in its namesake. Today, we have "precision" clogging with specific steps done in certain sequences. However, traditional "freestyle" clogging still exists in the form of individual as well as group dances.

Tap Dance and Irish Clogging share deep roots. The most difficult of the Irish clogs are the Irish Jigs and Hornpipes. In some of these the feet can tap the floor more than seventy times in fifteen seconds. Irish clog dancer, John "Jack" Diamond (1828 - 1850) was considered one of the greatest "Jig dancers" of all time.

In clog dancing, no thought is given to the upper body. Almost rigid -- the shoulders and the arms are kept motionless. This trait is evident in the early, Black "Buck and Wing" style tap dancing. The Irish clog dance all but disappeared by the end of the 19th century because of the mixing of the Clog and the African-American tap dances. Modern tap dancing evolved though the years 1900 to 1920.

Clogging is an American folk dance that is similar to tap dancing. It is making rhythmic tapping sounds with the feet. Special shoes are used to emphasize the tapping sounds. These usually are soft leather shoes with hard soles and attached metal taps.

Clogging is influenced by many of the European dance forms, as well as Canadian step dancing and breakdancing. It is done to almost any kind of upbeat music. Country and traditional bluegrass music are the most popular, but cloggers today also dance to pop, rap, hip-hop, anything with a fast beat.

Clogging is becoming more and more popular. Today, workshops are held almost every weekend for cloggers, group directors, and anyone who loves to clog. Instructors from around the world teach their original clogging routines at these workshops. Clogging has become so popular that it has spread not only throughout the U.S. and Canada, but also to many countries in Europe, to Australia, and even to Japan!

Clogging is a great form of exercise as well. Here is a quick list of some of the health benefits in clogging:

As you can see, clogging provides a great aerobic workout.

Many television dance shows spotlight clogging groups. The next time you tune in to watch one of these shows, look for a clogger! You never know when you might see someone clogging up a storm!