Cripple Creek Cloggers A Hit In France!

Jul 08, 2016 at 06:36 am by bryan


While the World's Largest Square Dance record was being broken on the Murfreesboro square, another group of local ambassadors, the Cripple Creek Cloggers, were bringing smiles in France.

Cripple Creek Cloggers Founder Steve Cates updates the group's festival tour of France as they shared Appalachian style buck dancing and clogging.

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Cripple Creek Cloggers are rehearsing on stage and having a sound and light check this afternoon (7/7/2016) in preparation for their final concert show tonight in Saint Malo, France. Handl Bluegrass, their accompanying band, has never been in better form and all systems are GO for a fine night. They share the stage with troupes from Senegal and Russia, who are from Kalmoukie. Earlier today the Rutherford Countians performed in an outdoor arena near the city center and just a block from the blue waters of the Atlantic. They made friends this morning with 32 students from Ghana who share their facilities at the college. Many cloggers did their last sightseeing and shopping on this picture perfect day under sun and blue skies before departing on Friday for Mont St. Michele and their final festival of the tour in Alençon, France: In effect, though they are traveling only a short distance, they will be back in Normandy after their stay here in Brittany. Both areas are very proud of their distinctive cultural and historical differences and the troupe has learned not to confuse the two.

They made special présentations earlier to their two very proficient guides, Rowenn, a teacher of physics and chemistry, and Jacaueline, a nurse. At the conclusion of their performance tonight, Joel Clement, Director of the Saint Malo festival; will make a special presentation to the Tennesseans and they, in turn; will present souvenirs to him.

Sunny weather and temps no higher than 80 degrees are predicted for the rest of their stay. They conclude their tour in Alençon with a number of parades and concert shows and special visits to perform in various area villages. They are scheduled to conduct workshops to teach their style of dancing and also explain the significance of their costuming. They will also tour Le Mans, the Normandy beaches, and Bayeux and have time to swim and relax with their hosts in Alençon.... and of course continue to enjoy the wonderful foods of this entire region.

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