Twelve representatives of the Murfreesboro-based Cripple Creek Cloggers and five accompanying musicians did a special July 4th concert in Riga, Latvia. Several hundred citizens gathered near the historic old city, and cheered, as well as danced with the ambassadors from Tennessee.
The crowd was composed of folk enthusiasts from the greater Riga area, and reports indicate that the fiddling of Cornelia Overton, a UT student and granddaughter of the late Congressman Joe L. Evins, caught the attention of the group. She was one of the early participants in Smithville's "Old Time Fiddlers Jamboree", which her grandfather helped to start.
Following the afternoon performance, the troupe also performed at the club,"Ala", where many Latvian musicians joined the bluegrass jam they created.
Thursday (7/5/2012) marks the start of the Baltica 2012 Festival, which lasts for five days. The Murfreesboro group has been a part of this event since 1988. They will not only perform in various historic and cultural sites in the city, but will travel to three nearby smaller towns where they will perform and conduct a workshop. The Cripple Creek Cloggers will be traveling and sharing the stage with a troupe from Sweden and ten other international groups. There will also be approximately one thousand participants from the Baltic states.
The president of Latvia will entertain them in his home in Riga on July 6th, and at each town show they will be received by the mayor in the city hall. Representatives of the U.S. Embasies are also invited to attend.
The dance troupe is open to teenagers and older at no charge, No experience is necessary and the group provides teaching to those who have not clogged before. Their meetings for the fall season resume on Tuesday, August 7th, at 7 p.m. at 220 E, Vine Street here in Murfreesboro. For more information, check their website: www.cripplecreekcloggers.org,
