Dance
Performance Huntington Beach -
Oktoberfest Old World
Old World Village Restaurant
Huntington Beach, California 92647
Call: (714)
895-8020
The
Beach Cities Cloggers aren't sitting still at Oktoberfest
this year. Bringing their red dirndl outfits with
the extra lace and flair that defines their American
influence both in dress and dance, they are slated
to perform at Oktoberfest. Never resting on past
laurels, Oktoberfest officials have invited several
acts to provide greater diversity to the event and
break up the partying into segments where guests can
sit down, relax and enjoy the entertainment.
Celebrated by young and old, Oktoberfest is an
annual tradition both in German and the United
States. In Southern California it is celebrated at
Anaheim's Phoenix Club, Torrance's Alpine Village
and in Huntington Beach at Old World Village.
The name "clogging" actually came from the Gaelic
word "clog" which means "time." Cloggers make
rhythmic tapping sounds with their feet in time to
music, or even a capella.
The clogging dancers Clogging is an American folk
dance similar to tap dancing. The name "clogging" is
actually a bit misleading because the dancers don't
wear wooden clogs - as you might expect from the
name - instead, they wear leather-soled shoes or
boots with metal taps on the balls and heels. There
are flat taps, and "jingle" taps, which have a
second plate mounted to the first to make a louder
sound. Most cloggers prefer to wear the jingle taps.
Clogging is a percussive dance that keeps time with
the downbeat of the music, whereas most other forms
of dance keep time with the upbeat of the music.
Cloggers dance to many different styles of music
too, including Country-Western, Pop, Rock, and of
course, Bluegrass. Clogging often imitates the
rhythm of the music it accompanies, although it more
often accents and complements the rhythms.
Clogging originated in the Appalachian Mountains of
the United States, with the English, Irish, and
German settlers, but has been influenced by African
Americans, Native Americans, and Gypsies. Clogging
is also influenced by many of the European dance
forms, as well as Canadian step dancing, hip-hop,
and breakdancing. Clogging is really a melting-pot
of American heritage in the form of dance. Clogging
has evolved from free-style dance form into
precision steps where routines are choreographed and
recorded. Precision, or modern, clogging differs
from free-style clogging in that precision clogging
enables all dancers to perform the same steps and
head-hand gestures in the same sequence. Both
free-style and precision clogging exist today and
are performed side-by-side in most arenas.
The main purpose of clogging has always been to join
together to celebrate life, friends, and family. Out
of these gatherings, friendly competition has also
developed. There are clogging competitions,
conventions and workshops as well. In fact,
workshops are held somewhere every weekend for
cloggers, group directors, and anyone who loves to
clog. Instructors from around the world teach their
original clogging routines at these workshops.
Clogging has become so popular that it has spread
not only throughout the U.S. and Canada, but also to
many countries in Europe, to Australia, and even to
Japan!
Oktoberfest is a
celebration Huntington Beach,
California has enjoyed for several decades. It is an
event for mom, dads, teens, college students and
even tiny tots and kids. At Oktoberfest, people
young and old get out on the dance floor to the
Chicken Dance. Lederhosen, dirndl
skirts, beer steins, shot girls, wiener-dog races and
German food make this celebration a necessary part
of locals and tourists' diets.
Now
approaching its
28th year in 2005, the annual celebration
of the popular German festival season includes a live
band direct from Germany that plays traditional
German polkas and rock & roll tunes known in the USA. Bratwurst, German beer,
Schnapps, liqueur shots, strudel, sauerkraut and more
are served in style at the Old World Restaurant German
beer hall during this 6-week event. A German parade and dachshund races
kick off the event in Bavarian style. Oktoberfest at Old World
has something for everyone. There are pony rides, a
petting zoo and children's activities at Kinderfest each
Sunday.
Old World Village was
designed in the style of an authentic Bavarian Village
with homes located in second story quarters above shops
and restaurants. There's a church in the village,
Huntington Beach Old World Village Church - St.
Judas Chaddeus,
that
holds a service each week in German. It is quite popular
for weddings and can facilitate 120 guests in the
chapel. The village
includes German delis and bakeries, a shop with
cut crystal collectibles, another shop that sells clocks
and steins and an authentic Rathskellar where acts such
as Lonnie and his accordion are featured regularly (see
calendar of events).
Oktoberfest is held at
Old World Village's Old World Restaurant. From the San
Diego Freeway (405), exit at Beach Boulevard toward
Huntington Beach. Go south to Center Ave. Look for the
lit sign and the globe of the the world at the shopping center across the
street from Hotel Huntington Beach and Bella Terra
(Huntington Beach) Mall. On busy weekends, parking
attendants direct the traffic. Wednesday and
Thursday nights are less crowded for those who seek
a table where they can sit. Otherwise, come early on
weekend evenings.
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