American Footworks (formerly known as American Rhythm) is a folk dance ensemble for youth in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho, USA. Our repertoire features American clogging, a cross-pollination of various early European immigrant, Native American and African Slave percussive dance forms with roots primarily in the southern Appalachian Mountain region. What was once an improvisational individual display has become a national and international movement, with its growth incorporating elements of tap, French Canadian and Irish step-dancing, jazz and hip hop. Today it is one of America's most entertaining and exciting dance genres.

Among our 20 elite dancers (aged 14-26) are some of the country's best cloggers, but we also train our dancers in regional and national folk dances to present a well-rounded and varied historical review of the traditional dance styles of the United States. Our repertoire reflects our diverse heritage, ranging from Hula to Charleston, Hoe Down to Hip Hop, Southern Waltz to Lindy Swing, as well as the numerous forms of clogging. In our choreography we strive to be both entertaining and historically insightful.

2011 started off our festival experiences with a bang when we were selected as the USA team for the CIOFF Idaho International Music and Dance Festival. We love being part of these amazing festivals!

2012: In 2012 we were honored to represent the USA at the Rouergue International Folkloric Festival in Rodez, France, also performing in Paris en route to the Festival. Groups from twelve different countries participated in the week-long festival, and our team was chosen as the finale team for each performance. 

2013: Our team spent three weeks in Portugal, at the FolkFaro and Alto Minho international music and dance festivals. We also performed at our home festival, Summerfest, in July.

In 2014 we hosted Rexburg's international Summerfest in July, making fun new bonds with West Africa, Cambodia, Native American dancers, and the extraordinary team Rovesniki from Russia.  

In 2015 we were delighted to be invited back to Rodez, France for the 60th anniversary celebration of FFIR. We were also privileged to receive an invitation to participate in the prestigious Festival de Confolens, where we danced for enthusiastic audiences of thousands (and danced joyfully in the rain when the opportunity arose). 

In 2016 we took on a new adventure as we host Rexburg's Idaho Summerfest, then travel to Indonesia to participate in two international dance festivals, the Surabaya Cross Culture International Folklore festival on Java and the Erau Adat Kutai International Folk & Art Festival on Kalimantan. 

2018 Was our longest tour yet, almost a full month and four wonderful festivals! Rome and Florence, then festivals at Cupramontana, Ranica/Bergamo, Aviano (Venice) and Sappada (Dolomite Alps).  

In 2019 we returned to France for three more festivals all over the country, with festivals in Sarran and Amelie-les-Bains, and culminating in the Montoire International Dance Festival in the lovely Loire region.

2022 saw us back at festivals after way too many COVID years without them. We went to Portugal (FolkMoncao) and France (Rodez and Plozevet)  

In 2023 we returned to two of our favorite festivals in Italy: Aviano and Sappada! 

2024 took us to Poland for the first time, to the outstanding Grodzisk Mazowiecki festival, and to beautiful Port-sur-Saone, St. Priest-la-Marche and Mont Gargan, France

Audiences both local and abroad appreciate our energy, enthusiasm, attitude, demanding technique and upbeat, wholesome appeal. We proudly share our talents and our culture with the world!