Stony Steppers is a dance institute that conducts classes of traditional English clog step dancing. This institute was first formed in 1997, and it has currently developed as an enthusiastic and strong dancing stature for the English society.
This institute is based at Stony Stratford in Buckinghamshire. Clog step dancing is a traditional form of dancing for the English people, which involves intricate and rapid percussive steps. This form of dance is performed by the dancers while wearing leather uppers and clogs with wooden soles. It is an ancient form of dancing that has evolved hundreds of years back. This form of dance was explicitly prevalent in the era of the 19th century during the industrialization period in the north of England.
Introduction of Clog Step Dance in the Historic period
During those eras, this form of dance was performed in the music halls and variety of theaters. This traditional form of clog step dancing can be performed in several styles. This dance mostly belongs to the north of the British Isles. Some of the steps are from Lancashire, Lakeland, East Fife, and Durham. Even some steps of clog step dancing were originated in America. The dancers usually dance at ceilidhs, festivals, pubs, and local events. The latest production of the Stony Steppers for the clog step dancers is the Stony Steppers Roadshow that is named ‘One Step Beyond.’ This show will represent an overall exciting tour of the traditions of the percussive form of dance linked with the British Isles’ social history. .
Features of Clog Step Dancing
The dancers wear dancing clogs in this traditional form of dancing, which are close fittings that allow them to have more control over their feet’ movements. The footwork is the main focus of a clog step dancer. Through the skillful footwork, the dancers can create several different types of sound using their feet alone. People often perform this type of dance quite casually, and thus they would perform this type of dance in the pubs at home or even in the streets. In this dancing form, the upper part of the body is relatively kept motionless, and thus it requires little space. During the era of 1800s, the clog dancing competition became very popular throughout England.
The popularity of Clog Step Dance in Historic Era
People would keep at stake large amounts of money that could be lost or won on the clog competitions. This type of competition was often considered a kind of sport. Here the dancers would perform in colors as that would help them to be identified easily. Therefore in clog step dancing competitions, both men and women would dance in breeches that would have allowed identifying their leg movements. During the Victorian period, while performing clog dancing, people would wear unique themed costumes as a part of their act. The famous comedian and actor Charlie Chaplin, initiated his career as a clog dancer in the music halls. In the current scenario, the traditions of English clog dancing still exist in a few festivals in some areas of Northumbria.