Dark Steps
A Clog dance interpreting the financial trading data of BREXIT
The Seven Stars and Sword Step Dancers
Wigan 2016
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In June 2016, after the UK Referendum result to leave the EU was announced, Freya Gabie worked with a UK forex trader, Simon Wood, to convert the first three minutes of trading data after the result, into cadent rhythm. Using this soundtrack, Freya collaborated with The Seven Stars and Sword Step Dancers to create a unique clog dance in response.
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With huge thanks to the incredible Seven Stars and Swords Step Dancers and Simon Wood
​With thanks to the National Lottery Heritage fund and Neo: Bolton
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The Rhythm of the Mills. Clog Dances from Lancashire
William McConnell
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"Clog dancing originated in the North of England over 200 years ago. It is thought to have developed in the Lancashire Cotton Mills where wooden-soled clogs were preferred to leather soles because the floors were kept wet to help keep the humidity high, an important feature in cotton spinning, as the nails in leather soles could cause sparks, which could result in the risk of explosion.
The Clog dance steps were inspired by the rhythmic sounds of the textile machinery, and it is said to have first been danced by girls working in the cotton mills. They would beat out a rhythm with their wooden clogs to keep in time with the shuttle flying backwards and forwards across the loom. They would also sing choruses whilst stepping to the rhythm of their machines.
There were a variety of machines in the many mills of the Midlands and North West, each machine built for a specific function. There were many rhythms, and as the girls clog danced it is said that those watching the dancers could tell which machines they worked at, and from which mill."