Clogging is a popular percussive dance similar to tap dance and Irish step dancing.  The two main styles of clogging found today are traditional clogging often done to bluegrass and country music and contemporary precision clogging, meaning that all the dancers are dancing the same steps at the same time, usually cued.  Contemporary style is danced to a wide variety of upbeat music including bluegrass, country, pop, rap and just about anything with a downbeat.

Rhythm -n- Shoes Puget Sound Cloggers, a not for profit organization, was created in 1994 to share and promote traditional and contemporary clogging.   We consist of local area cloggers ranging in age from eight to great grandmother.  We love getting together to learn and share in a family friendly environment.  The club is open to everyone who displays proficiency at basic clogging and/or has completed beginner lessons.

As a club member, you will learn new dances, be invited to participate in demonstrations for service clubs, long-term care facilities, festivals and much much more.  As a club member you are guaranteed ……………….great fun!

The first night of class will go so fast, you will hardly believe it when it's time to go home.   You will learn about the downbeat… what it is …how to find it … what to do with it after you find it.  You will learn how to keep time with your feet.  You will learn several steps and you will even learn your first clog dance.  You'll meet new people, make new friends and it won't even dawn on you, till you get home, that you just had a great physical workout.

The best way to get started clogging is to take a 10 to 12 week class, which teaches the basic clogging dance steps broken down and practiced to a variety of dance music and choreographed routines.  Unless cloggers are performing, they usually wear casual clothes that are comfortable and allow free movement.  DON'T bring your wooden shoes!  Cloggers don't really wear them!  You can get started clogging in any comfortable pair of street shoes.  Once you become addicted to clogging (and you will) you may want to explore the type of shoes and taps that performing cloggers are wearing today.  All you need, to get started clogging, is a love of music and a desire for fun.

The most important thing to remember about clogging is that we are all here to have fun!  When you walk onto a clogging floor there will be a range of dance ability and levels from beginner to advance.   The reason this can and does work so well is that everyone is respected.  No matter how long you have been dancing, there will always be a new and challenging step.  If we remember that simple fact, we will also remember that the steps that we do so easily today were a major achievement yesterday and they are still a challenge for those who haven't been exposed to them yet.  No one needs to be reminded to be friendly or to share your enthusiasm, but there are some things that all of us may need reminders about from time to time.  Things like keeping the noise level down during a teach so that everyone has a chance at conquering those challenging steps.  When you are an intermediate in a beginner class, you should remember that it is your example that they are learning from.  It is not only a dance step they learn from you but more importantly they will get a glimpse of what type of club you represent… the beginners today --- are your club members tomorrow.  As you progress in your own dance ability, you will find many ways to dress up old steps.  While sharing is a great part of the fun, sharing at the wrong time (like during a teach) can be disruptive.  So feel free to practice and share those new and dressed up steps but remember…

Clogging is about sharing and about fun for EVERYONE.