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Cloggers Gear up for Annual Spring Concert
by Keith Watkins
High on Dancing
Jay Ledford
Ashley Stapler
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The Bailey Mountain Cloggers will be holding their annual spring clogging concert Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 23, 24, and 25.
Applying years of professional expertise, director Jay Ledford has brought together a concert comprised of three acts: a traditional act, funky act, and a "contribute to Broadway" act.
Act one is "a look back", a look at traditional clogging. "I feel that always needs to be included," says Jay.
"The modern stuff [act two] is more appealing to younger audiences," he says.
"Act three is to show more varity of clogging and to show even more of our versatility in dancing."
After a fall semester of competition, Ledford brings together his ideas for the spring show and organizes the team into different groups to work on different sections of the show. Then slowly the groups come together and blend their routines to become one under Ledford's supervision and with the help of Ashley Stapler, team captain. Stapler works with Ledford in making sure that the team knows the routines, and that each individual understands their role in the show.
Ledford has danced since he was 3 years old and now directs the team for his sixth consecutive year. He graduated from Mars Hill College in 1998 with a Communication Degree, and is himself an alumnus of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers. He has studied under choreographer Kenny Ortega, and Jacques D, Amboise National Dance Institute of New York City.
Founded by students in 1974, the Bailey Mountain Cloggers got its name from the Mountain next to the college, "Bailey Mountain". The forty-team members, from 12 different states, come from dance traditions representing different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Each member becomes a part of the Bailey Mountain tradition, mixing the old style with the newer style. The clogging team is one of few college-based clogging teams in the nation, offering college credits and grants. The team members serve as ambassadors of goodwill for Mars Hill College and the traditions of the Southern Mountain folk dance. Some members have also danced in the Broadhurst theatre, on Broadway in New York City, for the Peter Generra Tribute. To learn more about the history of The Bailey Mountain Cloggers go to http://www.baileymountain.org/bmchistory.htm
This year there are four graduating seniors and twelve freshmen on the team with more prospective students to arrive next year. The team is excited about this years show and what it will turn out to be when the final touches are applied. The excitement continues to grow through out the team as the time draws more near for the annual spring concert. Ledford looks forward to the "Glow in the Dark" scene of the show.
Brian Staggs
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Sophomore Vince Redmon says "I'm looking forward to the concert; It feels good to have Brian Staggs back and to be able to dance with him again." Staggs is a former member and team captain of BMC, who recently has returned from Las Vegas while working with the group "All That" who have performed on "30 Seconds of Fame", and "Dance Fever". To learn more about "All That" go to www.toetaps.com. Other students and alumni will also contribute talent and expertise to the show.
The team practices three and sometimes four times a week to perfect the routines. Says graduating Senior Stefanie Grubbs, "I feel when it comes down to the final show, it will be the best show we've had in the four years I've been here."
Performances will be at 8 p.m. April 23 and 24, and at 2:30 p.m. on April 25 in Moore Auditorium at Mars Hill College. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Admission is free on Sunday for faculty and staff. All showings are free for Mars Hill students with a college ID.
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