Clogging

Clogging is a North American tap dance, which has evolved from various European folk dance forms.

This dance style was originally referred to as flat- footing, foot- stomping, buck dancing, jigging, or other local expressions. All variants have in common is the emphasis of the whole beat of the music ( downbeat ) by strong footwork.

Clogging is different from "normal" tap dance by special plates on the shoes ( so-called jingle taps). The Cloggingtaps have besides the two solid metal plates on the heel and toe two more loosely associated plates. This already makes noise when you move the foot only in the air without touching the ground.

From the tradition is Clogging rather not show but a folk dance, as with most settlers dances. However, now have many modern dance styles that influenced Clogging, so that loved to dance alongside the traditional Country-/Bluegrass-Musik to modern pop music and also elements of jazz and hip hop are found in today's choreographies. Very popular is also a greater emphasis on Irish Dance in relation to choice of music and dance style.

In Europe, many Clogging groups are traditionally affiliated to square dance clubs, but they are now also commonly found in gymnastics clubs and dance schools.