Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-07-25
ARTS OF THE CLOG DANCERS
A Professor who Gives Stage Artists
Their Polish.


A clog dance, which seems to have
lost its popularity in New York, is still
a favorite accomplishment in some parts
Of the country. while in England it is
standard attraction, the most popular of
all the acts of the variety thea:er pro-
grammes. The professors CT the art in
this country still make good living
Though giving instruction in this
branch of the saltatory art.
The roller skaters in perfecting them
selves in their exercise are adding
terpsichorean accomplishments to their
saltatory skill on wheels. A roller ex-
pert who cannot dance jig on skates
doesn't rank first-class now. To learn
the steps he has TO take lessons, and
here is where the professor of clogs come
in with his big charges. These pupils
are male and female.
"There is no doubt" said a professor,
chat roller skating is attracting general
attention to the education of the lower
extremities. More ladies, high in social
circles, and children are learning to
dance than ever before. Many of them
learn the fancy steps, such as jigs, clogs,
hornpipes, etc.
an teaching lady dance a clog
Dance" the professor continued, 'the
very first thing is to teach her to roll
her feet, as it is technically called. This
is the key of the whole business, and
when dancer can do this successfully the
remainder of the lesson is comparatively
easy. Rolling ones foot is merely rails
ing the hip, turning the foot in and
striking the toe on the floor. The whole
motion must be gone through with grace
fully and without effort. As the right
side of the body is generally more
flexible than the left-simply because il
has been used more freely-I generally
begin rolling the left foot first. in order
to counterfeit the usual tendency in favor
of the right.
"The distinguishing characteristic oil
the clog dance is the clear, bell like tar
of the toe or heel on the floor. The
slightest shutting ruins the effect, while
| liz JIG dancing shutting is the Urine
merit. In JIG the sand is rolled on fol
what may be called the music, while in
the clog the shoe makes the melody
Jingles are inserted in a great many
clogs, and what do you think they are
made Off"
"Give it up"
an many cases of the old-fashioned
copper cent. A bole is cut in the heel
of the clog. and cent set in so that i'll
broad side in flush with the surface o.
the heel. Then it is fastened through
the middle with screw, aud is left tc
play loosely in the socket. Other de
vices are of course used to reach the
same effect, but jiugies and rattles have
seen their day. There was time wher
it was necessary to 60 to England to see
the clog-dancing in its glory. The people
over there take much more interest il
such things than we do, and the judgins
| between the comparative merits of two
dances is considered very serious piece
of business.
The judges generally, retire into the
cellar, we may call it under the stage
there to remain until both dancers have
separately gone through series ofsteps
They have no knowledge, of course. a:
! 10 which dancer makes the first exhi
bition, and as the ringing of the clogs i:
even more distinct under than above
the floor, the merits of the dance can bt
thus readily judged without possibility
| of the judges seeing the dances and al
lowing his decision to be biased by per
sonai prejudice"
Here the professor grew emphatic
and tapped the writer on the chest Will
with his fore finger.
"But let the American dancer go OF
the English stage, among the English
people, in concert hall, and it is dollar
to cent? that he will break down befor,
he has danced ten minutes"
"Wby?"
Because they are much more thorough
over there than we are. The artist who
makes his appearance on a LondoI
variety stage must understand his bust
ness thoroughly. Supposing he is dancin,
a hornpipe, the chances are ten to ont
some voice in the audience will shout
Give us reel 7 or Give us deaC
march 2 and the orchestra will immedi
ately desert the hornpipe and drop int
a reel or a dead march without givin!
the dancer a moments warning. Few
of our men can stand that ordeal. They
have repertoire of some half dozeI
| dances, with variations, to the end o
| the chapter" New York Sun.