StyleMasters Event Review. A Cooperative Affair and Everyone VIP

It’s a week later and I am still coming down off the high from StyleMasters Chapter IV in Norfolk, Virginia. Nyce Entertainment hosted the event on the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend. The StyleMasters event was hosted at a new hotel location – the Norfolk Waterside Marriott at the heart of the downtown district. Foodies can enjoy all sorts of restaurants, entertainment is centralized for a downtown vibe, and shopping fanatics can find stores to score. All the city had to offer in close proximity was a good first impression for an event marketed as an upscale, VIP experience. Even hotel valet drivers opened car doors and greeted arriving guests.

When I travel to a steppers weekend in another city, I want to explore and enjoy the city. This location made discovering and exploring Norfolk convenient for out-of-town guests – even if they did not have a car. If hosted at this location again, I hope NYCE Entertainment does more to promote the local offerings to guests. The MacArthur Mall is a five-minute walk from the hotel and Waterside District is also 5 minutes away in the opposite direction. The event location has great potential for leaving a lasting good impression on steppers visiting Norfolk, Virginia.

Since the event was less than 10 miles away from my home, as a local patron what I hoped for from StyleMasters beyond good music were:

• Good fashion and positive energy
• Dancing with steppers from other cities
• VIP treatment for everyone

Okay, let’s get into details. This review couples my perspective and general feedback from the livingthe8count Surveys and Polls collected at the event.

Good Weekend Fashion and Energy

Event co-host, Tika from Talking Tea with Tika did a fabulous run down and review of the event and fashion show from head to toe. Most guests dressed for the Friday Hip Hop theme with bamboo earrings – at least two pairs – rope chains, and memorable 90’s looks. Men and women dressed to impress on Saturday night.

Moreover, some did not miss Sunday’s assignment. For any fashion show, dress to show your fashion even if you aren’t scheduled to walk the runway. Every stylist featured in the show gave us wearable, memorable fashion. The theme for me was “the hoodie cut up is real.” To the fashion show co-hosts, Pete Frazier and Tika, what happens at the fashion show stays at the fashion show. The models were not shy to play along, and it was a blast! This was one of my favorite parts of the weekend.

Photo Source: Jonathan McDougald

Despite raining lightly all weekend, the weather did not dampen the moods at this stepper’s affair. The NYCE Entertainment event staff and Marriott staff ignited high energy from the greeting at the door. Everyone smiled and wanted to help me. The people were the most memorable part of the weekend. Thursday and Sunday, my favorite days, were high energy and magnetic. Those two days many non-steppers were watching and wanted to be a part of the party. A few people stopped by my table to find out how long the event would be and how much it cost to attend.

On Friday, DJ Shorty Smooth had the room lit for hip-hop lovers. At one moment I looked around and said, “Is this a stepper party?” Guest feedback suggested balancing out hip hop with some R&B favorites from the 90s and maybe doing more of a 90s theme. Carmichael’s performance on Saturday night stole the show for the main event night and he performed “many songs.” It seemed that the energy was lower for Saturday than other nights and Carmichael turned it around. Maybe when we dress up, we don’t turn up as much but there was an unexpected and noticeable lower vibe and energy in the room than the other nights.

Dancing with Steppers from Other Cities

Steppers from the DMV area and many out-of-state cities were present – Detroit, Charlotte, Raleigh, Oklahoma City, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Columbus, NYC, and Cleveland to name a few. Chicago’s presence and several World’s Largest Steppers Contest winners attended not as a part of the event, but they came just to dance. Lady Margaret, Maurice Turner, Cheryl Powe, Andre Blackwell, Shawn Bandy, and Danny Stone. Members of Majestic Gents were present including Pete Frazier who co-hosted the event.

Despite where anyone was from, the guest list set the stage for great dancing. Most importantly, the women did not outnumber the men. Unfortunately, the dance floor was a challenge, and this is something steppers look for – a good floor. Although the staff responded quickly to some parts of the floor coming apart, there were floor issues throughout the weekend. However, this problem did not outweigh good times and steppers danced all night long.

Feeling VIP for the Weekend

I love the idea that everyone is VIP. We are all superstars at this event, and I love the feeling of social equality on any set. All guests sat at tables on the same level. Only the DJs were elevated above the dance floor. I think this type of setup encourages mingling and socializing. Now, the challenge with making everyone VIP is that generalizing on how you deliver on service doesn’t work. The food running out on Saturday night and the lack of food options for non-pork eaters at the brunch along with the food being cold on Sunday was disappointing for guests.

The intentional VIP touches – top-notch hospitality, the goodie bags with hand sanitizers and masks for everyone as COVID precautions, knowing and greeting guests by name, and responding quickly to questions or problems were great and much appreciated, but even the luxury options – like food – should be on point for VIP.

When Everybody is Winning

There is a cooperative business spirit on every StyleMasters weekend. I believe this helped ignite and sustain the energy for the weekend in general. Many steppers’ businesses invested in the weekend and were excited about it. There was an obvious orchestration to integrate several stepper entrepreneurs and for businesses to work together and support each other.

The Silent Parties were a big part of it. They were a hit to the point that there was a second unplanned silent party. Leisha Thornton of Tailored Effects designed musical performer, Carmichael’s jacket for the weekend. The fashion show showcased and promoted several fashion entrepreneurs and boutique owners. And, the vendor row had fashion, naturalist products, accessories, literature, and good shopping options to support small businesses.

Photo source: Jonathan MacDougald

Overall, the event was a good time for me. Thank you for a great time in my local city and for all the work and intention NYCE Entertainment puts into making events in Virginia something to remember and return to. What I was looking for and did not see was a fire sale announcement for the next one. I am ready. Damon Rose, when is StyleMasters Chapter V?

Video source: Jonathan Macdougald

Remember this flyer? If you are interested in livingthe8count Surveys and Polls reviewing and gathering guest feedback for a weekend event, contact Sonji Stewart at Sonji@livingthe8count.com for more information on our new service.