(MURFREESBORO)  Monday night (5/15/2023) at 7:00PM brings Appalachian style square dancing to Maney Hall at Oaklands Mansion, 900 N. Maney Avenue. The monthly meeting of the Rutherford County Historical Society will feature sounds, styles and history of the Cripple Creek Cloggers. Plus, the troupe's founder, Steve Cates, will share how it all began 56-years ago. 

There is no admission fee and the entire community is encouraged to attend.

Historical Society President Pettus Read noted, "The Cripple Creek Cloggers bring history to life in a way that no textbook can. We are so excited to have this group perform for the Rutherford County TN Historical Society and guests!" 

Cates said, "Guys grab girls for partners and move as the caller calls the sets.. Sometimes they turn loose of their partners and do what is called "buck dancing", each trying to outdo the other. Often the stepping is accentuated with metal tips on the shoes or hard, wooden parts in the shoes, etc. The sound this makes."

The founder noted that the Cripple Creek Cloggers began in 1967 as a 4-H project at Kittrell Elementary School. 

The group became world ambassadors for our community by sharing news and music of our community with audiences throughout the continental United States, Canada, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, all areas of Europe, and Morocco.

They have delighted audiences around the world, presenting in more than 20 foreign countries. The Cripple Creek Cloggers bring history to life in a way that no textbook can. 

International FolkFest

You'll learn about the upcoming International FolkFest June 4-11, 2023 at venues throughout the area. This event was halted over the past few years due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year, dance troupes from France, Mexico and Poland will be traveling to Middle Tennessee. 

During the Historical Society's meeting, you will learn about the recent announcement by the International Folkloric Society Planning Council that groups from Mexico, Poland, and France will be in Murfreesboro June 4-11, 2023. Each troupe will have approximately 20 musicians and dancers.

The guest folk troupes will be joined by festival hosts the Rutherford County Cripple Creek Cloggers, and The Slim Chance Band, including local performers, Rob Pearcy, Donovan Carpenter, Avent Lane and Sarah Rose Harris, for performances at The Grove at Williamson Family Farm at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Admission is $15 /person.   

Visual folkloric artists from the area will also be exhibiting before and after both performance sessions. Food trucks will also be available. This is International Folkfest's 40th anniversary - one year late!

Learn more about the Cripple Creek Cloggers, International FolkFest, and a fun way to stay fit and exercise. All of that will be wrapped into this Monday night's (5/15/2023) 7:00PM meeting of the Rutherford County Historical Society. It will be in Maney Hall at Oaklands Mansion.