About the class: Join City Stompers for an open level class that gets everyone moving from newbies to long-time dancers! We cover the fundamentals of flatfooting and clogging, learn steps and licks - and make up some of our own! We balance group choreography with learning to improvise solo. Prepare to get sweaty and have fun!

Dates: Fridays, April 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Rod Rodgers Dance Studio, 62 East 4th Street, 10003 (between Second Ave & Bowery)
Cost: $30 per class or $100 for all 4.
Registration: Click sign up on this page to register! Options to pay in advance or at the door.

What to wear: Wear comfortable clothing that moves easily with you. Avoid pants that are too long and may get under your heels. Wear low-heeled tap shoes or leather-soled shoes or boots (oxford and lace-up styles are best). No sneakers, rubber soles, high heels or flip flops.

About City Stompers: City Stompers is an NYC-based dance ensemble and music collective led by Megan Downes, which is intent on fostering the living tradition of various American percussive and social dances. We create participatory spaces for music and dance where our audiences share joy through community and cooperation.

Teachers: Sara is the main teacher this session, but Megan and Matheus may also step in!

Sara Rowbottom has been clogging and flatfooting since she discovered City Stompers in 2012. She has trained extensively with Megan Downes, and been taught by Evie Ladin, Ira Bernstein, Sharon Leahy, and Nic Gareiss. Her dance interests and training span multiple forms including hip hop, West African, and Soca. When not dancing, she is a Senior Technical Advisor for Education & Youth with the International Rescue Committee.

Megan Downes grew up dancing in New York City's traditional Irish music community, teaching social Irish dance forms throughout the city and at Lincoln Center before joining Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, directed by Eileen Carson and bluegrass bassist Mark Schatz, featuring fiddler Jon Glik and Danny Knicely. The Virginia families of Danny Knicely and of Matthew Olwell with their rich musical communities, the legacy of The Fiddle Puppet Dancers, and Megan’s own family and first dance teacher Donny Golden have a lot to do with Megan’s appreciation and fostering of dance and music as vibrant living traditions.

Matheus Verardino is a musician and dancer originally from Brazil who chose to steep himself in traditional American music and dance, and is currently a serious student of classical Flamenco dance. Matheus tours internationally and records with Cole Quest and the City Pickers, using his particular skills in fresh and charming ways in this unique band led by Cole, grandson of American folk legend Woody Guthrie.

Open Level Flatfooting & Clogging

Open Level Flatfooting & Clogging