Forge Mountain Cloggers

- N Mills River Rd, Mills River, NC 28759

For residents of Western North Carolina looking to connect with a genuine piece of Appalachian heritage, Forge Mountain Cloggers in Mills River is the premier destination. Clogging, the official state folk dance of North Carolina, is a truly American dance form with deep roots in the region, blending rhythms brought by early European settlers with influences from Cherokee, African, and other traditions. Forge Mountain Cloggers is a vital local institution dedicated to preserving, teaching, and performing this energetic, percussive dance style.

Operating as a full-service creative entity, the organization functions not only as a dedicated dance school for all ages but also as a professional entertainment and recreational service. They provide structured lessons that build technical skill and confidence, while their performance teams offer highly engaging entertainment, bringing the vibrant culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains to festivals, community events, and private functions across the Asheville area and beyond. Their commitment is to create a fun, family-friendly environment where individuals can learn a unique dance, build community, and participate in a living tradition.

Whether you are a seasoned dancer looking for advanced choreography, a beginner curious about the rhythmic footwork, or an event planner seeking authentic, high-energy Appalachian entertainment, Forge Mountain Cloggers provides a professional and welcoming experience. Their central location in Mills River makes them an accessible cultural resource for Henderson, Asheville, and surrounding counties in the beautiful North Carolina mountains.

Location and Accessibility in the Mills River Area

Forge Mountain Cloggers is strategically located in Mills River, North Carolina, placing it conveniently near major routes for the communities of Hendersonville, Asheville, and the broader Henderson County area. The physical location often referred to for classes is along N Mills River Road, positioning the dance school within the heart of the region it celebrates and serves.

The facility’s main contact information is as follows:

• Address: N Mills River Rd, Mills River, NC 28759, USA
• Phone: (828) 891-2487
• Mobile Phone: +1 828-891-2487

Accessibility and a welcoming atmosphere are central to the organization's operations, ensuring that everyone can easily attend classes or performances:

• A Wheelchair accessible parking lot is available, providing easy access to the venue.
• The environment is explicitly noted as being Good for kids, reflecting its family-friendly programming and encouraging atmosphere for young dancers.
• Classes and performances are held at The Old Home Place, a venue along N Mills River Road, which acts as a traditional and convenient location for a mountain dance tradition.

Comprehensive Services Offered

Forge Mountain Cloggers offers a diverse range of services that span education, recreation, and professional entertainment, catering to the entire Western North Carolina community. These services are the core of their mission to perpetuate the art of clogging.

The primary services and offerings include:

• Clogging Dance Classes: Structured lessons available for a wide range of skill levels, from absolute beginner students to advanced dancers. These classes focus on the technical execution of traditional and contemporary clogging steps and choreography.
• Team Clogging Instruction: Training for dancers interested in learning team routines and precision clogging, which is a key component of competition and performance clogging popular in North Carolina.
• Performance Group Participation: Opportunities for committed students to join the clogging team and perform at various events, competitions, and community gatherings throughout the state.
• Beginner’s Lessons: Dedicated introductory courses, often starting at specific times of the year (such as September), designed to introduce newcomers of all ages to the basic steps and rhythms of Appalachian clogging.
• Professional Entertainment Booking: Services that allow individuals, event organizers, and festivals to hire the Forge Mountain Cloggers team for captivating, high-energy clogging performances.
• Recreational Dance: Providing an enjoyable form of entertainment and exercise, with a focus on fun, self-esteem, and team building for children and adults alike.
• Community Outreach Performances: Regular appearances at local festivals, fund-raisers, and community events, helping to keep the tradition visible and engaging for the public.
• Specialized Consulting: Offering professional services related to dance instruction, choreography, and folk arts preservation for schools, cultural organizations, or individuals seeking expert guidance on mountain clogging.

Distinctive Features and Highlights

What sets Forge Mountain Cloggers apart is its deep commitment to a local, authentic Appalachian dance form, combined with its high level of professionalism in instruction and performance.

• Authentic Appalachian Roots: The group is a part of Western North Carolina’s rich mountain dance heritage, preserving and evolving a tradition that has been central to the area’s culture since it was popularized by figures like Bascom Lamar Lunsford at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville.
• Comprehensive Skill Levels: They provide classes for every stage of a dancer's journey, welcoming those with "two left feet" in their beginner classes and pushing the boundaries with challenging choreography for advanced students. This ensures a pathway for long-term participation.
• Performance Opportunities: Students are not just learning steps; they are trained with the intent to perform, allowing them to showcase their talent at important regional events such as local festivals and community fund-raisers, gaining real-world performance experience.
• Family and Community Focus: The organization fosters a positive, modest, and family-oriented environment. Their dedication to creating fun experiences for kids is a primary highlight, ensuring the dance is passed down to the next generation of North Carolina dancers.
• Professional Services Designation: Classified as a "Professional Service" and "Entertainment and Recreation," they are recognized for the quality and reliability of their instruction and the professional-grade nature of their hired performances, making them a reliable choice for event planners across the region.
• Celebrating State Heritage: By focusing on clogging, they are promoting the official folk dance of North Carolina, allowing local residents to participate directly in a state-recognized cultural tradition.

What is Worth Choosing Forge Mountain Cloggers

For anyone in the North Carolina mountains seeking a cultural activity, Forge Mountain Cloggers is worth choosing for several compelling reasons. They offer a rare opportunity to engage with a living, local folk tradition in an organized and professional setting. If you've ever watched a demonstration at the Shindig on the Green or the Mountain Dance & Folk Festival and wanted to try it yourself, this is your local, expert guide.

Choosing Forge Mountain Cloggers means more than just taking a dance class; it means becoming part of a community that celebrates the unique musical and dance history of Appalachia. The high-quality instruction ensures technical proficiency, whether your goal is fitness, fun, or competitive performance. Furthermore, by booking their professional services for an event, you are guaranteed authentic, thrilling entertainment that captivates audiences, while simultaneously supporting a valuable local cultural institution in Mills River. They embody the spirit of the mountains—energetic, rooted in tradition, and warmly welcoming to everyone.

Forge Mountain Cloggers

N Mills River Rd, Mills River, NC 28759, USA