Yesterday afternoon the Kudzu Kickers (Chatter and Chitter’s clogging team) took the festival barn stage at 4:00 p.m. and they brought the house down!
The older kids on the team have been clogging together for years.
They’ve grown up together. Through the years their paths have went in various directions-but clogging has brought them together to enjoy something they all love. Crazy to think of how many week day evenings they’ve spent together-learning, laughing, and growing into an amazing group of young women who care about traditional folk dancing.
I filmed this video as the Kudzu Kickers practiced for fall festival last week.
No need to go into any details, but suffice it to say-these girls have overcome a few obstacles. Nothing world changing in the grand scheme of things-but nonetheless life affirming for their young hearts.
They followed their intuition. Their gut told them what they needed to do. Making the decision to follow what they knew was right led them down a bumpy road for a while-but they’ve pulled out onto the blacktop and now it’s all good. They’re back on the big stage keeping the traditional Appalachian dance of clogging alive-continuing to grow their longstanding friendship-and wowing the crowd all at the same time.
Tipper
Patsy and I certainly enjoyed the festival and getting to meet you and the girls. They are lovely young ladies and you all have brought them up well. I wish we could have stuck around longer, but we had to teach Sunday school the next day.
We took your advice and headed home on Highway 129. Scenic route for sure, but I don’t want to do The Dragon again….too many motorcycles.
This is great stuff!
Tipper,
I am having operator error I think on this new computer. My screens on videos are running green and I’m not sure how to fix the problem.
I did listen to the music and clogging and know they did wonderful. I hope you all enjoyed this afternoon as well.
It is a wonderful cool Fall day here. I am sure the Festival was a success with such talented musicians, singers and cloggers starring in the main stream of things.
Looking forward to some posts of the Gang’s performance today some time this week…
Thanks Tipper,
PS….As a added comment, I picked me a half-gallon of those Mexican Gherkins (cucumbers) that I planted late this year. They have grown all over the place and are still blooming.
Also, got 22 long dipper handled gourds. Left some still on the vine. What I don’t understand is all the seed came from the same gourd and some where stout with fat handles, but several looked like their parent gourd with a long handle. Hope I can dry them successfully! If anyone has any old time ideas for drying them let Tipper know! Right now I am planning to put some in the dry garage, and some on the upstairs bunk of my log cabin studio???
Hi Tipper,I truly was Blessed watching the girls today.thank you.The old computer went ouy June 14th so been missing you all.Got another about 2-3 weeks ago.hope to see more of the girls singing and dancing.God Bless
Tipper: We were so close but had to head toward Tennessee – as we zipped by the girls performing yesterday. Someday SOON we will make another performance.
I was at the Peacock Play House in Hayesville for a brief conversation with the Director regarding writing a stage play entitled “Fiddler of the Mountains” She suggested I contact folks at Young Harris College to see if there is an interest among the performing ARTS faculty.
Do you think your girls would put it on their very long list of IMPORTANT THINGS to ask about when they get settled in at college.
We wish them the very best in their studies and in their clogging.
Sincerely,
Eva Nell
p.s. I know there are some mighty creative folks in the dramatist world DOWN EAST in NC but I have lost contact with them!
I’m liking the new hair colors. Kinda reminds me of my cousin JT’s pet coon Charlie. Charlie turned on one of the kids and to be put down. It was quick and merciful. A pack of coonhounds turned him into a few bits of flying fur in mere seconds.
If it was me I’d make her wear a boggin or something when she goes coon hunting.
WOW!! What a very talented bunch! So glad to see them keeping this wonderful Appalachian tradition alive.
Pretty girls doing my favorite dance.
Loved the dancing! I’m hoping you can post a clip of the Pressley Girls from their performance this afternoon for those of us too far to be there in person.
Nothing like growing up with wonderful people and having a memorable lifeline of friendship. So wonderful to watch them!
Mercy, I’m worn out just watching, and there’s no kudzu vines tangling up those flashing feet. Mighty impressive.
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
Thanks Tipper – they are a pretty special group of kids!
They’re great! Looking forward to seeing all of you this afternoon!