As far as the Mega Weekend in Miami goes, if you went to Miami without the intention of having fun in the sun, you should have stayed home. When it comes to having a good time at a weekend event, nothing is going to stop a true stepper. The Mega Weekend hosted by GDIGents in Miami was no different. For months, steppers had been anticipating and talking about the ostentatious, event and affair hosted by Good Deeds International and The Majestic Gents.
Expectations were high, not only because it was Miami, but because two of the most seasoned hosts in the stepping community were collaborating to make this weekend everything it should be. I cannot count the number of times in the last 90 days that someone asked me, “Are you going to Miami?” What I will remember most about this weekend is “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s simply a part of the Chicago Stepping culture and etiquette that nothing stops a stepping good time.
The Room Report
First, let’s get this out the way. There was a lot said about the rooms this weekend. Due to the timing of my decision to go to the Mega Weekend in Miami, I did not book a room with the GDIGents room block but stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton for $146/night. I mention this because the first thing someone asked me when I arrived on Saturday was, “How was my room?” There were complaints from many steppers about the condition of the rooms booked through the event block. My room was beautiful, with a clean carpet, and a comfortable king-sized bed. I see that the guest complaints were to such a large extent that Pete Frazier responded to the problem with guests during the event intermission and again on Facebook.
The Destination and Activities
I came to Miami to be outside and enjoy the people. I did not come to Miami to stay inside and enjoy any hotel room. What I think worked in everyone’s favor was that the activities and attractions in Miami overshadowed the missed steps with the hotel and event itself. On Facebook, I saw more photos and videos of steppers enjoying destination activities than I saw of steppers at the event or even dancing. The remarkable, memorable parts of Miami are the beach activities, great restaurants and bars, and shopping. I saw steppers on yachts, eating fancy food at fancy restaurants, shopping, soaking up the sun on the beaches and on rooftop bars smoking cigars. Despite the room problems, people were out and about and were in the lobby smiling, dancing, drinking, and having a good time. I wanted to be outside and could tell many people felt the same way I did when I walked into the pool party at the Blue Lagoon hotel.
The Location
Changing an event location is always a risk. Heritage Ball enthusiasts are accustomed to the magnificence of the Atlanta downtown location. The Miami Convention Center was not the same and did not meet the bar GDI has set for itself. When I arrived on Saturday night, I was happy that the location for the event was big enough. Steppers showed up in Miami. I remember standing elbow to elbow at the Heritage Ball even off the dance floor in Atlanta many times. I was happy that I had more room and space to relax and enjoy myself. However, it missed the mark on opulence and décor. It was very warm in the room, and I heard it was the same on Friday. There seemed to be no air conditioning, and steppers got out fans and spread out in the room. I walked around to meet and greet. Even so, on Sunday night, I still saw people for the first time.
Feeling Chicago in Miami
At moments on the dance floor, it felt like Chicago. There were three dance floors in the room but two floors were a problem – sticky, worn, and rough. Steppers flocked to the best dance floor, crowding in the center. It was intimate, tight, but just right like in Chicago. I enjoy a crowded dance floor when dancers stay in their lanes and this crowd was all about that movement. There were many steppers from Chicago and some that I know don’t travel often to step. We had the right people in the room and in the right ratio of men and women. I was happy to see friends from Chicago, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, New York, Ohio, and other places.
The After Parties in the Lobby
When you just can’t, you step. At 2:30 a.m. in the morning after a night of dancing, my feet were too tired to stand and wait for thirty minutes to get on an elevator to get to the seventh floor. Like-minded steppers decided to chillax in the lobby to wait. It turned into a party of about thirty or more steppers. Pizzas arrived, drinks flowed, and then there was the music. At some point in the night, I thought it was about to be a full-on versus. New school blared from the bar and old school pumped by the couches. Eventually, we had music at non-competing levels in separate corners and steppers dancing to what they liked. And I would like to give a great big appreciation to the lady who brought out the Hashtag game. It was a hit and I left several people in the lobby when I left at 5:00 a.m.
Great Workshops, Some Cancellations and Some Free
I really wanted to attend the History and Etiquette workshop, but my travel plans did not permit it. I heard that the workshops overall were great. Some events included in the weekend pass were canceled. I was glad I chose to pay for the parties a la cart. I don’t think I would have made it to yoga or the chapel service anyhow. The Sunday night party was free and was a great make-up for other things that happened on the weekend. Thank you.
Comments from Friends at the Mega Weekend Event
“I can’t believe I had to wait until the last night for the best music. These lady DJs are doing their thing. This is my favorite night of all the weekend. I love it.”
“I have never been to an African attire stepper set before. Everyone looked like kings and queens. It was a stunning display.”
“Steppers were showing everything at the pool party and some of these things can’t be unseen.”
“I didn’t like the lighting at the event. There was lighting but it was not controlled or set up right.” You know this had to be a photographer speaking.
“Each hotel offered something a little different. The food options at the Blue Lagoon were great, but the shopping options at the Doubletree were better.”
Several people asked me, would you return to this event next year, if they had it again in Miami? My answer is “Absolutely. Yes. I love Miami, and I had a great time. Nothing stopped me.” There is always a learning curve for everyone when you make changes and work in new situations – even when you are great at what you do. I think there was a lot to learn from this experience. Thank you, Cheryl Sugafoot Powe and Pete Frazier for taking a chance with each other, a new city, and a new event – the Miami Mega Weekend – to bring us something new and different. Your destination choice – Miami – was a win! What I think really matters at this point is how GDIGents collectively respond and react to the steppers that were disappointed.
IN THE NEWS
In the spirit of collaboration, I have been working with Lloyd Johnson and Darrius Barron on a new project, and here is our first release, “Chicago Steppin’ Legends: Renia Mitchell – A Chi-Lens production.”
Keep watching for more interviews like these from LDS Productions.