4 more days until the International Days Opening Spectacular

This exciting production will be held Tuesday, August 12 at Bingham High School beginning at 7 pm. The cultures of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Serbia, Polynesia and the USA will be featured. 
Admission is FREE!!!

Adam Keller Sings "Sold" in Vrsac, Serbia

Clog America Performs "Frontier" in Vrsac, Serbia.

On the bright side, other than losing one tap off of a shoe on Monday night, we really suffered from very few mistakes, mishaps, or accidents, while performing on this trip.
And then, right in the last show of the tour, a funny accident occurred. As either Nate or Adam put it, "He 'Indiana Jones'd' the heck of out of that thing."
Here's the video and the show that will go down in history as the "time Brent lassoed the hanging microphone."

We finished up the show (with the mic and whip still hanging down) with Acapella and Camilla Clog.

Don't worry. The whip and mic did finally get down.

Tour History, Tuesday, July 15: Emily and Joshua Park

1. What is today's location, weather, and landscape?
Vrsac, Serbia! A beautiful summer day in the quaint city at the end of the Carpathian mountain range.

2. What was today's most interesting/delicious/gross food?
Most of us missed or skipped breakfast because it was from 7-9 am. ZZZzzzzz.... So we ate two day old, leftover, cinnamon scroll (tube sweet bread you can buy from the street vendors at the festivals). It was still pretty tasty!

3. Where and for whom did Clog America perform?
We performed in the city square for the fantastic citizens of Vrsac.

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
Regarding the salsa dancing party last night- Brent was overheard saying, "She shook herself in ways I have never seen anyone shake before." (Referring to the super-zumba-dance leader girl from Mexico.)

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
All of the wonderful things spoken into the camera about people's experiences working with Clog America.

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
Brent whipped one of the hanging stage mics and it both whipped the mid off and got stuck in the cable above... It was awesome. (See the video here.)
And Alyssa ended up doing a solo during Camilla Clog hoedown that was supposed to be a trio. Sariah and Shaylyn missed their cue because Brent and Amber had to change their lift that came right before.

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Miriam today?
She admitted that no one knows what her job on tour is... not even herself.

8. What words best describe today?
EPIC FINALE!!

9. Describe today's miracle.

We were given a private tour of the largest cathedral in the city. We sang "Nearer My God to Thee," sending some excellent harmonies ringing through the grand arches. We also got to go up in the 150 year old organ.

10. What cultural a-ha moment did you experience today?
Several of us realized how cheap taxis are in Serbia and took the easy way up to the beautiful vista and churches on the mountain. While Group A took the long walk up 500 steps to the top, Group B took taxis for about the US equivalent of $1 a piece.

See- Some awesome country vineyards
Touch- a 150 year old organ
Hear- Mormon hymns in a Catholic cathedral
Smell- Lots of rubbing alcohol (used to spray down our smelly costumes)
Taste- Marvelous meats of Serbia

Tour History, Monday, 14 July, Shaylyn Sheffield and Sarah Mudrow

1. What is today's location, weather, and landscape?
On the bus from Timisoara to Vrsac, passing sunflower fields on the way.

2. What was today's most interesting/delicious/gross food?
For dinner we had some kind of battered fried fish with yummy rice and veggies with a choice of pickles, peppers, salad, or nectarines.

3. Where and for whom did Clog America perform?
At the festival for the people of Vrsac.

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
When Peter gave his $5 gift- "When I heard it could be a gag gift, I got the Serbian yoghurt, so you can gag." (But he didn't really.)

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
Josh, Adam, Nate, Brent, and most of the other boys, unloaded the bus, and reloaded the bus, when we went to the wrong hotel. And then unloaded it again at the right place.

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
Sariah lost her tap in the show.
The rehearsal looked like death warmed over. (We were tired!)

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Miriam?
Policeman don't like to give tickets to kind-looking, slightly confused, people because they want to help you.

8. What word best describes today?
Tired/Zombie- what the dancers looked like at rehearsal.

9. Describe today's miracle.
1. The bus ride was short.
2. We made it to the right place to stay.

10.
See- Salsa dancing in all forms at the salsa party
Touch- Gifts from each other in the "15 Lei Game" (or $5 gift game)
Hear- Cultural and Salsa Music
Smell- Cigarette smoke
Taste- Gelato! (Instructions given after rehearsal: money, water, ice cream, nap!)

Picture from the Independence Day event at the US Embassy in Belgrade

We had a great time last week performing at the US Ambassador's Residence in Belgrade. We got this great picture with the Ambassador. Thanks again for having us!

Sunday, July 6, Tour History: Amy Dayton and Cat Larsen

Standing on the rooftop of the Belgrade Chapel

1. What was today's location, weather, and landscape?
Belgrade, lakeside park, volleyball arena, and LDS chapel.

2. What was today's most delicious/interesting/gross food?
Delicious sausage and chicken hot off the grill at the Talija BBQ by the lake.

3. Where and for whom did Club America perform?
We sang "Love One Another" at the Belgrade 1st Branch, and Cat and Amy performed every trick in their bag for the nursery children (who all spoke Serbian).

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
"My purse fringe touched the ground in the squatty potty."

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
Miranda carried Cat's guitar to the lake beach. Everyone's kind notes in Amy's birthday book, and her surprise birthday party.

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
Clog America-USA-Volleyball Team-Pep Club's performance to the Serbian team's glares.

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Miriam?
If you pay for everyone's drinks and leave a big tip in Serbia, everyone is happy and gets to sit in the padded chairs under the umbrellas.

8. What word best describes today?
Spirited.
1. We felt the Spirit in church.
2. The high spirited USA cheering section at the volleyball game.
3. The cool lake water lifted our spirits.

9. Describe today's miracle.
The whole group not getting separated en route to the lake park (walk, bus, walk, walk through park). Thank heaven for Miranda as our lighthouse!

10. What cultural a-ha moment did you experience today?
Serbians love coming to the lake and enjoying each other's company (talking, playing sports, eating, swimming), and being transported by shopping cart.
See- Lots of families enjoying themselves in the park.
Touch- The germy toys in the nursery
Hear- USA, USA, USA!
Smell- grilled meat on the BBQ grill
Taste- Birthday Starburst candy

Saturday, July 5, Tour History: Heidi and Peter Burnett

1. What is today's weather, location, and landscape?
Weather: "dobro" (Serbian for good)
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Landscape: historical

2. What was today's most interesting/delicious/gross food?
"Pancakes" that turned out to be crepes. We got them from a store called "Pinnochio."(Nutella and strawberry! Yum!)

3. Where and for whom did Clog American perform?
We performed with Talija tonight at the theater in Belgrade.

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
(Conversation between Brandi and out host, Marla)
Marla: Hurry, we must go now! Pizza is waiting in the car.
Brandi: (Starting to rush) Oh! Girl! Peica is waiting for us in the car!
Marla: (laughing) No! No! Not Pieca... pizza to eat!
:-)

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
Dennis gave Peter the pants HE WAS WEARING  because Peter forgot to pack his black pants! (Thank you, Dennis!)

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
Dennis improv dancing during "Devil Went Down to Serbia (Georgia)," while wearing Peter's shorts.

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Miriam?
"It is important to speak their language."

8. What word best describes today?
Cultural - We went on a tour of the city (from an awesome guy named Peter), and learned all about Parliament and wars and the fortress. And we performed with Talija!

9. Describe today's miracle.
Amber's knee has really been hurting and bothering her, but it was totally fine for the show! She prayed before every number.

10. What cultural a-ha moment did you experience today?  What did you see, smell, taste, touch, or hear today?
See- the Danube River- it's beautiful!
Hear- Talija! They sang and danced their first song!

Handing out gifts at the orphanage

Tour History, July 4, Abby and Miranda Bradshaw

1. What is today's location, weather, landscape?
Orphanage, home for disabled persons.
Weather is HOT! but when you are in the shade it's fine.
Landscape- city.

2. What was today's most interesting/delicious/gross food?
Chicken with curry. Delicious- stuffed pepper that Lola fed us!

3. Where and for whom did Clog America perform?
The orphans, disabled people.

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
"Wow the band was on time, in-tune, and played every song at the perfect speed." Just kidding, no one said that.

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
Rita (videographer) gave up her seat on the bus for an elderly Serbian woman.

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
Josh couldn't find his "bad guy" coat during the Frontier Medley. So he turned his cowboy hat sideways and marched with a crazy angry face, like, "I'm going to eat you all."

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Miriam?
(Stay in a spa.)

8. What word best describes today?
Walking, sweat

9. Describe today's miracle.
A man without strings on his guitar played with the band and truly believed he was a rock star. And he sounded great!

10. What cultural a-ha moment did you experience today?
See-  Bombed out building from the Serbian war. Traffic lights go red-yellow- and then green when lighting up and directing traffic
Hear- Bluegrass music
Smell- Smoke
Taste- honey from the Serbian mountains. SO GOOD!

Emily's top 3 pictures for July 4

Emily's 3 favorite pictures for the day

Hanging out at "Our Home," a place for mentally disabled adult men.

Stuck in the elevator!

The view from the 17th floor! Looking out on Belgrade. 

Tour History for July 3, by Brent

1. What is today's location, weather, and landscape?
Belgrade
Rainy then sunny.

2. What was today's most interesting food?
The salty bacon stuff served by Mitsa at dinner.

3. Where and for whom did Clog America perform?
US Ambassador's residence for the Fourth of July party in Belgrade.

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
Overhead by Brent. Caden said to Jen Gerard: Want to feel something cool? Feel the inside of my mouth.

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
The armed security guard at the embassy let us take pictures with him and taught us some Serbian too.

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
When the guys picked up the wrong girls in the Exhibition Square routine.

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Miriam?
Stay at a spa hotel when in Belgrade.
(Miriam never showed up today. We presume she's still at her spa.)

8. What word best describes today?
Diplomatic.

9. Describe today's miracle.
The videographer's (Jeff) missing luggage with the production equipment in it, showed up right as we were leaving for the show.

10. What cultural a-ha moment did you experience today?
See- Graffiti
Touch- Cold rain on my face
Hear- Blast of the new "juice box" in my ear (the new sound equipment)
Smell- Cigarettes
Taste- Salty Bacon 

Let's hear it for the band

Just hanging out on the dock-deck of Klub Talija, listening to these awesome musicians jam and practice. Not a bad way to spend the evening!

First night in Serbia- scenes of food and Klub Talija

Austin and the Gnome Meet the Ambassador

The U.S. Ambassador to Serbia was kind and fun enough to pose with Austin and his gnome at the Residence!

Caden gets the full European experience in just one night

We are staying with host families for the first leg of our trip to Serbia. Our host families have been very kind and generous. This is Caden's first trip to Europe. If you've ever been to Europe, you'll understand why we say he got the full European experience in one night. (We all got a good laugh.)

We've made it to Belgrade

We've made it to Belgrade!

The members of Klub Talija have been very generous and kind. We are staying in club member homes around Belgrade for the first few days. What a fun way to get to know them and the Serbian lifestyle. 

We had a great dinner and afternoon at the Klub Talija clubhouse. It's a floating restaurant on a river, with a beautiful dock and scenery. 

Be sure to check twitter.com/clogamerica and instagram.com/clogamerica for more updates and pictures!

Tour History by Jen Garrard and Amber Henrie, July 1 and 2

1. What is today's location, weather, and landscape?
SLC airport, airplane, more airplane, Detroit airport, airplane, Paris airport, airplane, Belgrade, Talija clubhouse on the water with a groovy bridge in the distance, and then off to host families.
Weather: Jen: Hot. Amber: Perfection.

2. What was today's interesting/delicious/gross food?
Airplane chicken that was slabs of slimy meat.
And yummy tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, beef, sausage, "hot" green peppers that Josh and David ate.

3. Where did Clog America perform?
n/a

4. What was today's funniest overheard comment?
After josh and David ate peppers, Josh's wasn't that hot, but David's was really hot. David said, "I'm so relieved! I thought I'd become a hot sissy." (hot food sissy)

5. What act of kindness did you observe today?
Host families hosting us for 5 days, great dinner provided, excellent boys carrying heavy bags. A stranger helped Jen with her carryon in the first airplane- there is kindness everywhere.

6. What was today's funniest performance moment?
Clapping for the music video.

7. What was some wisdom gleaned from Dennis?
Dennis isn't shy when he meets/remeets someone. He hugged Jen and kissed her multiple times.

8. What word best describes today?
Tired, travel worn, lost luggage, but also glad to be here!

9. What was the worst injury?
Erin's blister (the social media person), and she fell asleep standing up.
Alyssa's mental injury from losing her luggage.

10. What cultural a-ha moment did you experience today?
Serbia has delicious tomatoes.
Serbian language does not sound anything like any language I know of.
The plane fed us food!
The man sitting next to Emily on the plane wore a shirt that said, "sex instructor, 1st lesson free."
Always wear your wedding ring- our guide winked at Amber when he met her.
Amber says European's smell good. Jen disagrees. 

Learn more about the flooding in Serbia and the need for aid

 Please see the GoFundMe widget in the sidebar to donate to our humanitarian efforts in Serbia.

Serbian-American Night, July 5, 2014