Clogzoom FAQs

How will the Zoom rooms work?
We will all be in the same zoom, and there will be just one zoom link for all the classes over the weekend. Each class will be in a different breakout room, with a steward on hand in case of any problems. We will be asking attendees to rename themselves in the zoom to identify which class they are in and make it easier to set up the rooms on the day - but we can help you with this if necessary. We will be keeping things relatively simple in the classes, with use of the chat function or just unmuting to ask a question - you'll be able to interact with the tutor like you would at a physical event.


Do I need to pay for a Zoom account?
No - only we need this. You will need Zoom installed on your device of choice, and if you already have it, we strongly recommend that you update to the latest version before the weekend. You can download or update on the Zoom website.


I've never used Zoom like this before, how does it work?
Don't worry - in order to use the breakout room features, all you will need to do is click on a notification when you're added to your room. The rest happens automatically - we'll be closing breakout rooms when necessary and everyone will pop back into the 'main hall'. If you do want to move about between rooms and are unsure how to do so, someone will be on hand to help. If you are really really unsure, or have never used Zoom before, please get in touch and I'd be happy to help you get set up or have a test to make sure it will work for you. We do think that Zoom is a great platform for teaching step dance though - everyone gets a front row view of the tutor's feet, and nobody can hear you trying out the steps!


What's happening on Saturday Night?
A party! The Saturday evening social will be on a different zoom link, and open to non-workshop attendees, much like non-dancing partners might join for the evening do at Wallopers, for instance. There will be opportunities to play tunes, a couple of massed dances for everyone to join in with, time to chat, the odd social dance, and anything people want to do, really! If there are lots of people we can use breakout rooms for different elements, or just so you can catch up with each other.


How come this is a paid event, when lots of online classes have been free?
Our tutors will be putting in a lot of work over the weekend, probably more so than at a physical event, and it's right that they are paid for this work. Clogzoom will not be making any profit, but may incur some overhead costs such as upgrading to a larger Zoom licence if necessary.


Two of us want to join in, do I need to pay twice?
Class sizes are being limited to allow tutors to give time to each participant and make sure everyone gets a good learning experience, so if there are more than one of you joining from the same household or location, you do need to pay for each attendee, yes.


I can only join for one day, is a day ticket available?
No. We want to give an opportunity to learn one routine really thoroughly, and that means a whole weekend of classes! I personally find the Sunday morning session very beneficial to my retention of what I've learned on the saturday at physical events, which is why we've stuck to this well-tested structure. The aim will be to have all the content taught on the Saturday so that the Sunday can be used for tidying, troubleshooting, and finesse, so there may not be much actual content taught only on the Sunday for the clog routines. The Dartmoor Stepping workshop will be able to be a little more fluid, but will have moved on to more advanced content by the Sunday. If you are only able to make part of the weekend, you are welcome to do so, but please be aware that the tutors will be unable to run over things you miss with you individually. Please do let us know if you are doing this! Full dance notes and practice videos will be available to all attendees.


Will all the classes run simultaneously?
Yes! Our aim is to recreate the physical workshops we love as faithfully as possible, so each class will be in a separate classroom (breakout room) and we'll be joining together back in the main hall (main zoom room) when everyone is together. Simon Brock's clog making content will all be outside workshop time, so you won't have to miss anything to see him.
In addition, I heartily recommend lunching on homemade soup and cake like we would at Clickers, or getting yourself an amazing deli lunch like you'd stopped at Wholefoods on the way up to C# House for Camden - and the piece de resistance, BBQ garlic bread from that wonderful little Italian in Leyland (my Wallopers dinner ritual!).


Do I have to commit to one class only?
The idea is that the weekend is an opportunity to learn one routine really thoroughly, like you would at a physical event. If you find you are in the wrong class for you on the day, and would prefer to swap, we're happy to do this, but please bear in mind that this is disruptive for the tutors and other participants, so we will be trying to minimise it. If you are unsure about which class to take, please feel free to get in touch to discuss it and we'll be happy to help.


There's a workshop showcase? That's my least favourite part of real workshops, why do you torture me?
Ahhh but on Zoom, people can't see you dance if you don't want them too! We really hope that everyone will be confident enough to perform their dance by the end of the weekend, but there's no pressure to have your camera on or pointing at your feet for the showcase ;-) It'll be an opportunity to watch the tutors dancing each routine so you can see what everyone else has been doing - this is one of my favourite parts!


How should I set myself up, do the tutors need to see me dance?
You should set your device up so that you can see the tutor easily, and be comfortable to dance in your space. The tutors will mostly have their backs to their devices so won't be keeping a beady eye on you, but they will be checking in with you regularly. Please don't feel pressured to have your video on at all times, but it would be nicer for the tutors to have visual feedback from you and be able to know that you're OK during classes. It could also be beneficial if you are unsure of something for the tutor to be able to watch you and see how you're doing - for example, my preferred setup is to have my laptop on the kitchen counter so it's at a comfortable height to watch (I'm quite short though!), and I move it onto a low stool and angle the camera down if I want my feet to be seen for any reason.


Who is running this event?
I'm Jen Cox, long time Morris dancer, current chair of Open Morris, dance organiser at Wallingford BunkFest, Oxfolk Ceilidhs committee member, and admin on the Step and Step Clog Dance Traditions of England facebook page, among many other things! I dance Step Clog with Theale Tattoo and occasionally with Mabel Gubbins Rapper. I've been involved with the running of lots of virtual events throughout the pandemic, and when Melanie Barber let slip that she'd had a very similar idea to run a whole weekend of clog workshops, I determined I was going to make it happen. My fellow SSCDTE admins, Toby Bennett and Robynne Wood, all our tutors and a lovely team of volunteer friends who will be helping over the weekend have put in a lot of work behind the scenes to make everything work, and I'm enormously grateful for all their help and advice.


If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.