Did You Know?
The troupe, originally organized as a 4-H activity at Kittrell School, Readyville, TN, has traveled and performed and taught internationally, nationally, state wide and locally. They wear homemade costuming of the early-to-mid-1800s and use metal tips on their shoes to accentuate the stepping. The music accompanying their performances includes the banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and/or dulcimer.
As they did on Cripple Creek and other far-flung communities throughout he region, families moved the furniture out of the big log rooms. A caller called the set as the couples moved out onto the rough-hewn floor boards and began to move to the music. Sometimes, they turned loose of their partners and did what is called a buck dance or a buck and wing. They had infrequent chances to get together and, when they did, they often enjoyed the food the women had prepared and danced for several days.
Cripple Creek Cloggers made their first international trip – to Romania – in 1973 and represented the U.S. for their first International folkloric festival experience in 1977. By 1982, they had performed in festivals in France, Spain and Puerto Rico and were organizing, along with many community volunteers, their own International Folkfest in Murfreesboro, Since then, they have continued to represent the US. in festivals in most all the countries of Western Europe and several in Eastern Europe. They have also traveled to Central America, Puerto Rico, Morocco, Canada and all 50 of the continental United States. This year 2023, during June 4-11, will be the 40th anniversary edition of International Folkfest, featuring fellow troupes from France, Poland and Italy.
Cripple Creek Cloggers are entering their 56th year of teaching and performing authentic Appalachian-style square dancing with a clogging step, a strong and ancient tradition of Middle TN and the region. They will welcome new members and be teaching on Sundays at the Senior Activity of Smyrna, 100 Raikes St., Smyrna, TN 37167 at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge to participate and no special gear is needed to attend.
For more information about Cripple Creek Cloggers events, or the June festival, see the websites, www.CrippleCreekClogger.org or www.Mboro-International-folkfest.org or
contact Steve Cates, Director, at 615-896-3559 or appdancer@aol.com.