The Roots of Appalachian Dance

 

Dancing has always been part of life in the Allegheny Highlands — from school gyms and festival stages to porches and old community halls. In this story, I trace the roots of Appalachian dance across Bath, Highland, and Pocahontas counties — from the reels and jigs brought over by early settlers to the enduring rhythms of flatfooting and clogging. These aren’t just steps — they’re memory in motion, connecting generations through music, movement, and tradition.

Story By

Danny Cardwell

Danny is the Station Coordinator for WCHG, and the host of our gospel and country hours on Wednesdays 10:00 am to noon. He and his wife Renee Cardwell live with a spoiled dog (Toddie) in Hot Springs. Danny is a Deacon at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Hot Springs. He operates Thoughtwrestler.blogspot.com and is a site administrator and featured writer for the website Dagblog.com. He has been a frequent contributor to The Hal Ginsberg Morning Show, All Politics Are Local, and Politics Done Right. Danny has tutored, lectured, and mentored at risk youth in churches, group homes, and inside the Virginia Department Corrections. He serves on the board of directors for Preservation Bath and chairs the Bath Community Hospital Patient Advisory board. danny@amrmail.org

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