Of all the amazing performers during World On Stage, I think I might be most excited by the Barbary Coast Cloggers - an all-male company of percussive, syncopated, foot stomping dancers - performing Saturday January 26 at 11 a.m. Nothing like a little boot-stomping fun to chase away the January damp! They're also bringing along a special guest - Cheyenne Danner, a 13-year-old, third-generation clogger. We talked to the Cloggers to find out more about this uniquely American style of dance.

What do children learn from your dancing?

Kids love the boots, we get a lot of reaction to the boots and the noise our shoes make. Boys in particular really get excited about clogging because they rarely see men dancing. It’s a great influence for young boys to see men dancing in a way that isn’t ballet.

What do you feel clogging teaches?

I feel the history of clogging teaches about a mix of cultures coming together in the beginning of America. We learn in class about America in the 1700s and that there was a lot of hate and separation of people according to race. The music and dance we perform comes from that time and shows us that people came together and did get along in those times. The banjo is an African instrument and a lot of people don’t know that. Bluegrass and clogging show that there is a melting pot in America. 

Read our complete interview to find out more about why they dress like Forty Niners and how cloggers are like Gene Kelly! Buy your ticket online so you don't miss the show - tickets are going fast!

Related Posts:

Interview with Hui Tama Nui - January 17, 2008 11:00 AM

World on Stage - January 17, 2008 10:30 AM

This entry was posted on January 24, 2008 and is filed under Jennifer Caleshu.
Tagged: performers
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