James Brooks 456 Ashland Ave. Saint Paul MN 55102 (651) 290-6362 (651) 222-5475 (651) 290-7535 jhbrooks@wmitchell.edu www.wildgoosechasecloggers.org Work Samples Video: video clip 1 (higher bandwidth, DSL, ISDN, T1) video clip 1 (lower bandwidth, 56K) video clip 2 (higher bandwidth, DSL, ISDN, T1) video clip 2 (lower bandwidth, 56K) To view the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, The Appalachian dance The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers is a group of twelve dancers and three musicians performing traditionally-inspired Appalachian dance to old time banjo, fiddle, and guitar music. We perform pieces choreographed by current or former members, using traditional footwork in original dance formations. The group was formed in 1979 by dance enthusiasts who fell in love with this American dance and music tradition. All the group members are active in the vibrant old time dance and music community in the Twin Cities. In addition to performances, we also teach workshops in Appalachian music and dance, and we have participated in six international folk festival tours. Available: We are available primarily in evenings and on weekends, but we also occasionally do performances on weekdays. No mileage restrictions. Space: We need a 12 by 16 ft. wooden or composite stage and a sound system with three to four microphones. For an additional fee, we can bring our own stage. Fee: Negotiable

Additional Information:
The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers
James Brooks
jhbrooks@wmitchell.edu

Clogging is an American style of dance that, like so many American folk styles, has its roots in the Appalachian region of the south. In 1979, a small group of Twin Cities people were taken by the style of the influential Green Grass Cloggers of North Carolina, and wanted to learn to dance like tham. The Twin Cities group became known as the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers. Over the years, the group has always functioned as a social group, while also being motivated by high aesthetic standards and love for this form of folk dance and the music that accompanies it.

Clogging itself comes from three separate traditions. The type of foot movements derive from African American buck dancing, which featured percussion created by foot movements and hand and body slapping. It arose during slavery, when African American people were not permitted to have instruments. The other components are English step dancing, and Native American dance.

The earliest clogging involved only foot movements, and was meant to add percussion to old-time string band performances, which rarely include a drummer. Including choreographed formations was an innovation that evolved in the 1960's. This has become so popular that, to most people, the combination of choreographies with rhythmic foot movements is what now defines clogging. While related to the country-and-western "white shoe" clogging tradition, Appalachian clogging incorporates more traditional steps danced to old-time music.

The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers characteristically get their choreographies from varied sources, including social dancing outside of the group, frequently contra or square dancing. If group members think that a certain movement would have a good appearance when done by dancers in formation, then the movement might find a home in the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers repertoire. What makes the bulk of their work traditional in character is the type of rhythmic accompaniment expressed by the foot movements. Occasionally, they adapt tap or Irish step dancing to the clogging style, an approach that is more daring because it requires the group to change the rhythmic aspect of the foot movements. In addition to the dances in formation, the group also features special dances allowing members to improvise or dance their fanciest steps.

While clogging is old, the form it takes today is actually the result of innovation and the blending of cultural elements. The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers are a visual and sound experience, combining individual virtuosity with imaginative choreographies and old-time string band music.