DAVIE, Fla. — At a dance studio in Davie, the sound is unmistakable.
“They’ll hear us before they see us,” said Lora Cochran of the South Florida Cloggers.
It’s called clogging: part dance, part music and all heart.
“Clogging is a true American dance. It’s actually born and raised here in America, which is really cool,” Rebecca Vetter, owner of the South Florida Cloggers, said. “Now we’re part of the American clogging all-stars. It’s very similar to tap or Irish step dance. The shoes are slightly different. We have jangles on our taps, if you can hear.”
The South Florida Cloggers have revived the old-world dance and have been tapping their way through hundreds of events together for years.
Now, they’re stepping onto a much bigger stage.
The group was selected to perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade.
“It’s a big deal in London,” Vetter said. “It’s a very televised event. Thousands — millions — come out on the streets, and we’ve been hearing that the royal family will be in attendance.”
Only 14 clogging groups from across the country received the prestigious invitation. One hundred cloggers will dance in sync, with military-like precision — and this South Florida crew will be right in the middle of it.
For some, it’s a dream years in the making.
“I am really excited to perform for the royal family and the crowd, just seeing everyone,” said dancer Reese Matus.
For others, it’s something even more meaningful.
“I dance with the South Florida Cloggers with my daughters, and my oldest daughter, Erica, is actually going to be dancing in London as well,” said dancer Robin MacDonald. “So I’m excited as a family that we get to represent the United States in such a prestigious event.”
It’s not just about learning the dances. The performers are also practicing how to walk and dance at the same time, all while preparing for the freezing temperatures they’ll face across the pond.
So when the clock strikes midnight, they’ll be thousands of miles from home.
But the steps they’ll perform started right here in South Florida.
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