The Mulekicker Cloggers celebrate 40 years of entertaining
by Angie Jones-Wheeler | ajones@ruralmissouri.coop
Combine the rhythmic sound of clacking taps on a hard floor, the swishing of crinoline petticoats, a flash of colorful frilly skirts, an occasional vocalized “whoop” plus toe-tapping music and you get a unique American folk dance called clogging. This dance originated from Ireland, Scotland and England and was brought to America by settlers to the Appalachian Mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was also influenced by Native American and African American dancing. It features distinct footwork and percussive sounds from the double taps found on the toes and heels of the leather clogging shoe.
The popular dance that crossed the Atlantic Ocean has helped a mid-Missouri dance group kick up their heels for the last four decades. The Mulekicker Cloggers, based in Fulton, formed their group of dancers in 1986 after the first cloggers graduated from a clogging class
in 1985. Patricia Hopper, from Huntsville, was instrumental in forming the group. She served as director and instructor for nearly 30 years until she retired in 2015. She has taught dozens of dancers through the years and choreographed many routines for the Mulekickers. “It would be hard to count how many dancers she has taught over the years or how many routines she has taught to the Mulekickers,” says member Linda Kronk. “We are very grateful for her efforts.”
Three members, Larry Martin, Betty Atterberry and Rita Weber, have been performing together since the group’s inception. Other members who have joined since then include Linda, Carol Poeschel, Pam Wright and Karen Goodenough. The members range in age from 60 to 82. They have had 20 to 30 cloggers in the group at times through the years, including youngsters and teenagers.
The Mulekicker Cloggers take their name from the town of Fulton and Callaway County, known for its large number of Missouri mules, and the fact that they like to do kicks during their routines. Most of the cloggers are members of Callaway and Three Rivers electric cooperatives.The mission of the group is simple: have fun, entertain audiences and pick on Larry, the only male participant.
They often perform at nursing homes in Fulton, Jefferson City, Columbia and Linn. Recently an elderly gentlemanresident set aside his walker and joined in dancing to the “Battle of New Orleans” with the Mulekickers. Performances always bring smiles, hand clapping, toe tapping and head bopping to the audience. The performances delight both the young and the young at heart.
Community festivals are popular venues for the Mulekickers. They have clogged at Kingdom Days and the Street Fair in Fulton, Oktoberfest in Jefferson City, the Apple Festival in Versailles, the Anchor Festival in Centralia and the Turkey Festival in Eldon. They have performed at several fairs including the Callaway County Fair, Mokane Fair, Tebbetts Picnic and Boone County Fair, as well as many other local events.
The Mulekicker Cloggers have performed in various parades, at Six Flags St. Louis and on the Touchstone Energy Stage, sponsored by Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Nursing homes and the State Fair are their favorite places to clog because of the joy it brings to the audience and performers.
Not all of their performances have been a walk in the park. “We have clogged in some extreme weather conditions, including a temperature high of 114 degrees and also performed during a downpour,” Rita says. Other challenges include clogging on brick streets and on trailers traveling along parade routes. When dancing in hot weather, they insulate the insides of their shoes to protect their feet from the intense heat of the pavement and often put duct tape on the bottoms of their shoes to prevent slipping while dancing on slick surfaces.
When asked what they enjoy most, the Mulekickers all agree the friendships, performing, the audience and making people smile rank the highest. They also say that clogging is a great way to get some exercise, release stress and just have fun.
Rita Weber sews the ladies’ costumes for the group and they order colorful aprons, hats and accessories to accent their outfits for holidays and seasons. Larry’s costumes complement those of the ladies. They include chaps,
Western shirts and hats. Larry adds a bit of humor throughout the routines. He impresses the audience with his high kicks and fancy footwork. He has been known to dance out of his chaps during performances and recently danced a tap off his shoe while clogging at the Missouri State Fair. A few years ago, Larry was known for doing cartwheels during their routines.
The music is selected by the whole group and includes such toe-tapping favorites as “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “All Shook Up,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “The Battle of New Orleans,” “Rocky Top” and an upbeat rendition of “Amazing Grace.” No matter what music they dance to, it is evident they truly get a kick out of clogging.
For more information and upcoming performances, contact the Mulekicker Cloggers at mulekickercloggers@gmail.com or find them on facebook.