RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) - A Rutherford County dance group is representing Tennessee and the United States on an international stage this week, sharing Appalachian clogging and bluegrass music with audiences in Croatia.
The Cripple Creek Cloggers of Rutherford County and the Slim Chance Band of Smyrna arrived in Zagreb on July 15 to participate in the 60th anniversary of the Međunarodna smotra folklora, or International Folklore Festival. The event is one of Croatia’s leading celebrations of traditional culture and brings together performers from countries around the world.
The Tennessee delegation includes 14 people—10 dancers, three musicians and one photographer. Following an overnight transatlantic trip, the group traveled directly from the airport to its opening performance at Cultural Center Travno in Zagreb.
Several hundred people attended the performance, which also featured cultural groups from Taiwan, Argentina, Czechia, Croatia and other nations. Throughout the festival, the Cripple Creek Cloggers and Slim Chance Band are presenting traditional Appalachian-American clogging accompanied by live bluegrass music.
“Our mission is to proudly represent Appalachian-American heritage and the traditions of Tennessee wherever we travel,” Cripple Creek Cloggers Director Matt Davis said. “It is an incredible honor to stand alongside outstanding performers from around the world while sharing the music and dance that are part of our own cultural story.”
Founded 59 years ago in Rutherford County, the Cripple Creek Cloggers work to preserve traditional Appalachian dance rooted in the mountain communities of the eastern United States. The organization has also represented Tennessee during recent international tours to Portugal, Czechia, Germany and France.
The International Folklore Festival is designed to celebrate and preserve traditional arts recognized as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Organizers bring together musicians, dancers and other performers to share customs while learning about traditions from other regions and nations.
For members of the Rutherford County group, the festival provides an opportunity to introduce international audiences to the music and dance traditions of Appalachia.
“One of the best parts of traveling is seeing people on the other side of the world connect with our music and dancing,” clogger Michael Graves said. “Even though we come from different cultures and speak different languages, you quickly realize that traditional music and dance bring people together.”
The Cripple Creek Cloggers and Slim Chance Band are scheduled to perform several times in and around Zagreb through Saturday, July 18. The group plans to share updates with supporters in Tennessee as internet access and its performance schedule allow.
Those interested in learning more about Appalachian clogging or joining the Cripple Creek Cloggers can attend the group’s next practice at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Smyrna Senior Activity Center.
