Seaside Cloggers Clog Tap Dance Club is a vibrant dance school and physical fitness programme located in Woolgoolga, Australia. Offering a variety of classes for adults and children, Seaside Cloggers is dedicated to providing a friendly and welcoming environment for dancers of all levels.
The dance school features a range of classes specifically catered to different skill levels. For adult beginners, classes are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00-11:00am and 2:15-3:15pm, as well as Saturdays from 11:00-12:00 noon. Adult basic to easy intermediate classes are offered on Thursdays from 2:15-3:15pm and Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am. For experienced cloggers and tap dancers, adult easy intermediate to intermediate classes take place on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15pm and Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am.
Additionally, adult intermediate plus – buck steps classes are available on Thursdays from 4:15-5:15pm and Saturdays from 11:00-12:00 noon.
For children aged 10 and above, classes are scheduled to suit their needs and availability. All classes are conducted in air-conditioned comfort at Woolgoolga and private lessons for children, teenagers, and adults are available at very reasonable rates.
Seaside Cloggers prides itself on offering a friendly and inclusive group environment. Group corporate lessons for staff members are also available, providing an opportunity for team-building and physical exercise.
Clogging, contrary to popular belief, is not dancing in clogs. Instead, dancers wear shoes with taps similar to those used in tap and Irish dance. When starting out, there is no need for special shoes as any shoes that slide easily on a wooden floor or a pair of tap shoes will suffice. In fact, dancing in socks is also an option.
The word “clog” originated from the Gaelic word “time” and refers to percussive dancing in time to the music, with the heel keeping the rhythm.
Clogging is an exciting combination of tap dance and Irish dance that gained popularity in the Appalachian Mountains of the USA to Bluegrass and Country music. Nowadays, clogging can be danced to virtually any genre, including country, rock, pop, rap, bluegrass, and gospel. In Australia and New Zealand, clogging gained popularity in the late 1980s, with the formation of the first club in 1988. The Australian Clogging Association plays a significant role in coordinating national dances, workshops, choreography, and annual conventions.
One of the most appealing aspects of clogging is that it differs from other dance genres where choreography is specifically learned for a concert or performance. In clog dance, once dancers learn the steps in each level (basic, basic plus, easy intermediate, intermediate, intermediate plus, and advanced), they can dance to songs they may have never heard before. This is made possible through cues, where each step is called out prior to performing it. Memorisation of dances is generally not required.
Seaside Cloggers also organises weekend workshops throughout the year, providing opportunities for participants to learn more steps, dance, and enjoy a great time. Clogging is an expressive style of dance with origins in the folk dances of the British Isles, Africa, and pre-Columbian America. Settlers in the American South developed Appalachian Clog Dancing by incorporating elements of these styles and the traditional dance of Native Americans, characterised by a distinctive toe-heel movement and an upright upper body.
Seaside Cloggers Clog Tap Dance Club offers an enriching dance experience where individuals can develop their skills, foster a sense of community, and maintain physical fitness. Join Seaside Cloggers today and embark on a thrilling dance journey unlike any other.