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The Clogging Shoe

February 26, 2013 by 4dancers

A clogging shoe
Clogging Shoe, Photo by Dorothy Stephenson

by Dorothy Stephenson

Known as the “melting pot of dances,” Clogging came about when the nation’s Irish, Scottish, English, and Dutch-German ancestors settled in the mountains of Appalachia on the east coast of the United States. As different cultures came together, their native dances began to intertwine signaling the birth of Clogging, an old dance form that continues to grow, evolve, and become more popular everyday. As clogging spread through the nation, other influences, such as Cherokee Indian, African, and Russian, contributed to the newly formed dance style.

I have been Clogging for twenty-three years. Ten years ago, when telling someone I was a “Clogger,” I would have to explain myself and how “Yes, Clogging is similar to what Fred Astaire did,” but “No, it’s not what Michael Flatley does.”  Nowadays, when I vocally label myself as a “Clogger,” I usually get a “Wow! I love Clogging!” This dance form has appeared on stages as simple as county fairs all the way up to national television on shows like “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.” And the tool that each clogger needs? Their shoes, of course!

Just like Clogging, Clogging shoes have evolved and changed since the dance form’s predecessors began in places like Wales with wooden clogs and Ireland with hard shoes. In the 15th century, dancers replaced the original wooden clog with a leather-topped shoe that had a full wooden sole. By the 16th century, dancers added separate wooden pieces on the heel and toe of the shoe.

These pieces, also called “flats,” are where the term “flatfooting” came from. Flatfooting, an ancestor of today’s American Clogging, is still practiced and respected in the clogging world today. In fact, Clogging competitions have a special solo category devoted specifically to flatfooting, and Cloggers of all ages will gladly clear the dance floor to marvel at dance patriarchs who will shake the dust off of their old flats to perform one more time.

Throughout Clogging’s evolution, dancers added another important element to their shoes – taps. Two “jingle” taps (also known as Steven Stompers) are attached to each shoe – one tap on the heel and one tap on the toe. With a flat stationary tap directly attached to the shoe, a dangling or “jingle” tap hangs slightly from the stationary tap to create a double tap that makes the signature clogging sound, which features just a little more sound than tap shoes.

Regular taps cover only the bottom of the shoe while buck taps have a small metal lip that bends over the toe. Where the regular tap didn’t make sound when a dancer stuck their toe, the buck toe creates sound and provides further support if contemporary dancers are executing toe stands. Present-day clogging shoes are usually black and white though some teams will occasionally branch out taking the stage with silver, red, or other colored shoes.

clogging shoe with taps
Full Sole Clogging Shoes, Photo by Dorothy Stephenson

When original Appalachian Clogging began, it was an individual form of dance where the dancer used their feet to turn out rhythmic percussive sounds to accompany music that was most likely bluegrass. Today, more complicated steps and more influences of different dances, such as hip hop and pointe, have dribbled into Clogging and have further urged the evolution of Clogging shoes. With steps, such as toe stands (where Cloggers balance on their toes), increasingly complicated choreography is made easier with a more flexible shoe. Clogging shoes with split-soles have emerged. Some feature a full sole with a soft leather upper, such as the Director’s Cut shoe, while others, such as Signatures Split Soles, have a complete split sole with hard leather on the toe and ball of the foot and the traditional heel block. There is no sole to support the arch of the foot, only leather.

Clogging shoes, split sole
Example Of Split Sole Clogging Shoes, Photo by Dorothy Stephenson

As more intricate steps developed, the full sole shoe restricted the movement of a dancer’s toes making it difficult and sometimes impossible to execute new steps. Split-sole shoes make it much easier for a dancer to bend their foot to achieve optimum sound and execute toe work.

Whether it was in the 15th century or the 21st century, Clogging shoes have always been used the same way – by striking the heel, the toe, or both against the floor to create rhythmic sounds usually to the downbeat of the music. If you haven’t seen Clogging, check it out. It is truly a dance form that has something for every personality – young, old, city, country, traditional, contemporary – and Clogging choreography can accompany a wide variety of music ranging from country and bluegrass to 1940’s swing and big band to jazz, hip hop, and even rap. The sky is the limit.

Want to see some cloggers in action? Here’s a video of Rhythmic Alliance competing with their Line Formations routine:

sundance studios director
Dorothy Stephenson, Photo by Kathy Cobb Photography

Dorothy Stephenson began her clogging career in 1990 when her mother enrolled her with the Little Switzerland Cloggers. Today, she leads Little Switzerland along with two other groups – Rhythmic Alliance, a competitive team, and Sundance Express, a professional performance troupe.

She also owns Sundance Studios & Productions Company, a dance studio and productions company specializing in clogging instruction and performance.

Filed Under: Other Footwear Tagged With: america's best dance crew, america's got talent, clogger, clogging, clogging shoes, dance form, dance shoes, fred astaire, So You Think You Can Dance, sundance studios

Shoes For Spanish Dance

February 8, 2013 by 4dancers

As part of our continuing focus on footwear and foot care this quarter, today we are excited to bring you the basics on footwear for Spanish dance…

by Karen Stelling

The dances of Spain, loosely categorized as regional, classical, and flamenco each put a unique foot forward–quite literally!  Many regional or what are traditionally called folk or peasant dances, often utilize a soft shoe, a sort of a tie-on slipper.  Although they look rather flimsy, these types of shoes such as those worn in the Jota Aragonesa are quite comfortable and actually offer great cushioning for the jumping that a dance such as the Jota requires.

jota shoe

Spanish Classical or Ballet Espanol dances are usually performed to Spanish classical orchestrated music and are very balletic in style.  The shoes preferred for Ballet Espanol have a taller, thinner and more “shapely”  heel than flamenco shoes and feature a soft sole to allow greater flexibility of the foot and a more elegant line when the foot is pointed.  There may be some “zapateado” or heel work in classical Spanish dance but not as intense or as deliberate as in Flamenco.spanish classical ballet shoesOne of the most identifiable traits of flamenco dance is the intricate footwork. The shoes are the instrument the dancer uses to create and compliment the various flamenco dance rhythms.  Flamenco shoes can be as varied as the dancer who wears them.

“Zapatos” need to be sturdy with solid heels but heel heights can vary depending on the dancer’s preference.  Most flamenco shoes are made of smooth leather but suede is very popular and as far as colors and designs are concerned, anything is possible!  Straps, ties, lace-ups are all incorporated in these shoe’s designs. Many women flamenco dancers like to coordinate their shoe color with their costumes for a unified look.  Most professional flamenco shoes are hand- made in Spain and a dancer submits individual foot measurements for a custom fit.

In addition to leather soles, the toe tips and heel bottoms of flamenco shoes have tiny nails embedded into them to add a slight tapping sound when the feet hit the floor.  This feature is unique to flamenco shoes.  However, the real sound is produced by the strength of the dancer’s body as all her energy is directed into the lower legs and feet.

a pair of flamenco shoes

Character shoes are not the same as flamenco shoes!  While character shoes can be used as Flamenco shoes for the beginner who has not decided to invest in an expensive pair of Flamenco shoes, Flamenco shoes are not interchangeable for character shoes. It is not a good idea to try and dance in Flamenco shoes for a non-Flamenco dance class. The nails at the bottom of the soles will be extremely loud and possibly damaging to the floor you are dancing on!  As one might imagine, many flamenco dancers and their shoes are not especially welcome in many dance studios!  The shoes pictured below are made by Begona Cervera and Gallardo, well known Spanish manufacturers.

a decorated flamenco dance shoe

 

flamenco shoe with laces

Contributor Karen Stelling Began her Spanish Dance training in 1975 and since then has performed in many venues around Chicago, the Midwest and beyond. She was the First Dancer of the Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Company from its inception in 1976 through 1987, performing flamenco, neo-classical and many of the regional dances of Spain. Highlighted performances included the chance to dance with the Chicago Symphony, at the Theater of the Riverside Church in New York City, for migrant workers in the fields of Southern Illinois and in many lecture-demonstration and concerts for Chicago and suburban school students.

Karen Stelling

After leaving the Company, Karen continued to perform at a variety of concert halls, festivals and special events as a soloist/guest artist, and as a member of the flamenco trio, Los Tres. Karen was a guest artist and choreographer in 1999 and again in 2002 with the Ole Ole Puppet and Dance Theater directed by Wendy Clinard.

In 2007, Karen provided choreography for the Halcyon Theatre’s production of Yerma, by F. G. Lorca.  Karen has taught private and group flamenco classes for over two decades including work for Hedwig Dance, the Evanston Park District, Danza Viva, Harper College Dance Program, The Salt Creek Ballet and currently at the Flamenco Arts Center and SPACE in Chicago. She received flamenco and Spanish dance training from many masters of both “old school” and the “Nuevo” styles. Karen also enjoys playing the cajon, a box drum used frequently in flamenco and teaching castanet technique.

Filed Under: Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Other Footwear Tagged With: dance shoes, flamenco, flamenco shoes, spanish dance, zapateado

Teaching Tip: Have A Backup Plan

July 5, 2011 by 4dancers

Teaching TipToday’s teaching tip is simple, but crucial – always have a backup plan.

This piece of advice can apply in several different ways. For example, you’ll always want to have more than one music choice. If you have a ballet class CD that you use all the time, be sure and pack another one–just in case. Scratches happen, as do simple accidents, and you don’t ever want to be caught without tunes. It’s so hard to teach that way.

Another “backup plan” suggestion…have extra shoes to teach in on hand. If an elastic breaks or you think you packed your shoes in a bag but didn’t, you’ll have another pair. I’ve thought my shoes were in the car (I’m lazy and usually leave them in the trunk) and found I brought them in the house. Not a great way to appear to your students. Teaching in gym shoes just isn’t pretty.

Pack a mini-emergency baggie. In it, keep a band-aid or two, an aspirin (or other painkiller), a granola bar or protein bar, nail clipper and hair band. Basically, items you may need and not have on hand. You don’t have to go crazy with this one, but if you find yourself needing something, toss it in the bag for next time so you are prepared.

Do you have any “backup plan” tips for dance teachers? Has something saved you from trouble? If so, tell us about it! You never know–you might save someone else from having the same issue!

Filed Under: 4teachers, Teaching Tips Tagged With: ballet CD, dance, dance shoes, dance teachers

Danskin

October 5, 2009 by 4dancers

danskin

If you are searching for dance clothes, you will find some beautiful options at Danskin. This company has been around for many years and they sell everything from tights to dance shoes. In addition to their dancewear, they also have some terrific yoga clothes and activewear. If you haven’t seen their products, take a peek.

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Filed Under: 4dancers, 4teachers, Dance Clothing & Shoes Tagged With: dance clothes, dance shoes, danskin, tights, yoga

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