The Flatfooting of John Hartford with Kristin Andreassen

John Hartford was a master of flatfooting, a traditional Appalachian flatfoot dance style characterized by intricate, rhythmic footwork performed close to the ground. Hartford’s performances uniquely blended his virtuosic fiddle playing with his precise, energetic flatfoot steps, creating a seamless dialogue between music and movement. Onstage, he often danced while playing, treating his feet as another instrument, highlighting the  connection between old-time music and dance as European and African American musical traditions met and influenced each other in the southern United States.  Hartford’s approach celebrated the spontaneity, humor, and grounded rhythm of Appalachian traditions, helping preserve the art form while bringing it to wider audiences through his recordings and live shows.

In this class Kristin will focus on perfecting the basic fundamental steps and stacking those steps to open up an almost endless supply of rhythmic possibilities. Not your grandma’s clogging class! **

Footwear should be either low-heeled tap shoes or leather-soled shoes. (The point is to make rhythms with your feet, so anything that helps you hear yourself and doesn't stick to the floor will work fine).

Mondays January 5, 12, 19, 26 from 6-7pm at Soft Junk, 919 Gallatin Avenue

This class is made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission