Name an old-time dance award, and Lou Maiuri has probably won it ... he even danced at the Grand Ole Opry's 75th anniversary celebration. Maiuri is the 2008 recipient of the Vandalia Award, the state's highest honor for those who contribute to the preservation of mountain culture. 

Q: When did you start dancing?

A: I've been dancing all my life. I got really interested in the old style of dance when I was 18, 19 years old. I visited rural Pocahontas County with a friend of mine, and he introduced me to some people up there. That was my first real exposure to that kind of dancing.

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A: The old freestyle flatfoot. I just   have my own style, you know. I always thought flatfoot was a feeling that comes from within- just move your feet around in time with the music. I do know a lot of old-time flatfoot steps. Some I developed myself, and some I learned from watching other people.

Q: How often do you dance?

A: I dance every week - sometimes a couple times a week during the summer. I have 30-some engagements this summer. Some of them I do myself, and some of them are done with the team [the Appalachian Country Cloggers] ... In fact, I've got a show tonight at Pipestem State Park. Tomorrow night, I'm going up to Romney to call a square dance up at the Peach Festival. Next weekend, I've got three shows: one at Blackwater Falls, one at Lost River State Park and one at Cacapon State Park.

Q: Does your doctor ever tell you to lay off the dancing?

A: No, he told me it was good for me. I'll be 80 in November.

Q: Do you watch "Dancing with the Stars?"

A: Occasionally. My wife's addicted to it ... I like all types of dancing. It takes lots and lots of ability to dance like people dance today- much, much more than I have. I have a high regard for people who can do that.

Q: Was there ever a time you thought old-time music and dance would become extinct?

A: Back in the early '50s and before that, it was kind of the mainstay of entertainment in rural West Virginia. I don't think it will ever be the mainstream of entertainment again ... but I don't think it's going to die out.

Reach Tara Tuckwiller at 348-348-5189 or e-mail t...@wvgazette.com.

Name an old-time dance award, and Lou Maiuri has probably won it ... he even danced at the Grand Ole Opry's 75th anniversary celebration. Maiuri is the 2008 recipient of the Vandalia Award, the state's highest honor for those who contribute to the preservation of mountain culture. 

Q: When did you start dancing?

A: I've been dancing all my life. I got really interested in the old style of dance when I was 18, 19 years old. I visited rural Pocahontas County with a friend of mine, and he introduced me to some people up there. That was my first real exposure to that kind of dancing.

Q: What was the first type of old-time dancing you learned?

A: The old freestyle flatfoot. I just   have my own style, you know. I always thought flatfoot was a feeling that comes from within- just move your feet around in time with the music. I do know a lot of old-time flatfoot steps. Some I developed myself, and some I learned from watching other people.

Q: How often do you dance?

A: I dance every week - sometimes a couple times a week during the summer. I have 30-some engagements this summer. Some of them I do myself, and some of them are done with the team [the Appalachian Country Cloggers] ... In fact, I've got a show tonight at Pipestem State Park. Tomorrow night, I'm going up to Romney to call a square dance up at the Peach Festival. Next weekend, I've got three shows: one at Blackwater Falls, one at Lost River State Park and one at Cacapon State Park.

Q: Does your doctor ever tell you to lay off the dancing?

A: No, he told me it was good for me. I'll be 80 in November.

Q: Do you watch "Dancing with the Stars?"

A: Occasionally. My wife's addicted to it ... I like all types of dancing. It takes lots and lots of ability to dance like people dance today- much, much more than I have. I have a high regard for people who can do that.

Q: Was there ever a time you thought old-time music and dance would become extinct?

A: Back in the early '50s and before that, it was kind of the mainstay of entertainment in rural West Virginia. I don't think it will ever be the mainstream of entertainment again ... but I don't think it's going to die out.

Reach Tara Tuckwiller at 348-348-5189 or e-mail t...@wvgazette.com.