| In the U.S., clog dancing or clogging, as it is | | | | has taken to competition level and you can |
| sometimes known, takes its origins from square | | | | witness the dancers jumping high in the air over |
| dancing. This is not where or how clogging began | | | | brooms. |
| however. It is not quite clear but clogging may | | | | Interested in a little bit of English history about |
| have been developed as long ago as the 1400s, | | | | clogging? Believe it or not, hard-soled shoes were |
| which would make it one of the oldest types of | | | | required for individuals who worked at the |
| dancing still in existence since its creation. Clog | | | | weaving machines. They would tap their feet to |
| dancing is the official name but many people refer | | | | keep them warm during working sessions. On the |
| to it as clogging. | | | | lunch period and after work, they would have |
| Before coming to be known as clogging or clog | | | | unofficial competitions to see who had the best |
| dancing, there was bluegrass dancing. This type of | | | | sounding percussion beats and rhythms. Now you |
| dance was done to music that often included the | | | | know! |
| fiddle and was affectionately referred to as old | | | | Here's another interesting fact you may not know |
| time music for its many different steps and taps. | | | | about clogging: It is the official state dance of |
| African, German, Irish and English dances can all | | | | both North Carolina and Kentucky. Ready to get |
| be somewhat identified in clogging, which is | | | | clogging? There's no time like the present to learn |
| something of a mixture of moves from all of | | | | more about the fascinating dance that's been |
| these backgrounds. | | | | around for a very long time. Take clog dancing |
| So what then, is clogging and how is it different | | | | shoes, for example. Clog dancing shoes often |
| from other types of dances? Clogging is a dance | | | | have taps on the toe and the heel so that they |
| style that is accentuated by the type of shoes | | | | make a rhythm sound when you walk. Clogging |
| that are worn during the dance. The shoes are | | | | with these types of shoes makes it possible to |
| used to make a loud percussion noise with the | | | | hear the sound even if you are on carpet. |
| toe or heel or in some cases both the toe and | | | | In the United States, dance crews are even |
| heel to make a rhythm. This rhythm or beat is | | | | taking clog dancing to a new level by competition |
| often compared to the sounds that percussion | | | | on national television with this type of dance. So |
| instruments make and is the basis of clogging. | | | | what is clogging? It's a dance style that's all over |
| Other names for clogging that are used include | | | | the world and enjoyed by people everywhere. |
| flat-footing, buck dancing, jigging, foot-stomping | | | | With the right shoes and a little initiative, you too |
| and clog dancing. Each of these names shares | | | | can be clogging your way to some good old |
| that same definitive indications that clogging does, | | | | fashioned enjoyable clog dancing before you know |
| which is that the foot taps and heel clicks make | | | | it! |
| this style of dance what it is. In Wales, clogging | | | | |