Maurice Thomas Is “Not Your Fashion Icon”
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Maurice Thomas Is “Not Your Fashion Icon”

BySonji

Reading Time: < 1 minute First, I saw his hat. A couple of years ago I saw him in a tall red hat and oversized glasses at the Heritage Ball. Immediate thought? “Who is that?!!” I did not see his full ensemble until a break between songs and steppers broke away from the dance floor. Then, after traveling a lot more to different cities for weekend events I saw him more and more. A feature post on Maurice Thomas is a great close out to LT8C’s January focus on fashion in the Chicago Style Steppin’ community.

Sweat Towels and Combat Boots Fashion on the Chicago Steppers Set

Sweat Towels and Combat Boots Fashion on the Chicago Steppers Set

BySonji

Reading Time: 4 minutes Friends have urged me to write about this topic, but it has bothered me. Fashion and personal style is an individual expression. Far be it from me to judge how someone chooses to show or present themselves. As much as we watch and judge each others dance, we judge our looks and appearances as steppers as well. In LT8C’s month on fashion, it is apropos to discuss “fashion etiquette” so now I have decided to finally tell it!

Learning Chicago Stepping at Classes, Workshops, or Privates

Learning Chicago Stepping at Classes, Workshops, or Privates

BySonji

Reading Time: 3 minutes Often new steppers ask me “Sonji, when should I start going to workshops?” or “Is it too early for me to start taking privates?”  From my experience, there is no “right” answer to either question. From my eyes, every new stepper should have enough information and context to make a good decision on when it is time to try something new.

stepper Sonji Stewart
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Understanding Threshold, Patterns, Synchronization in Stepping

BySonji

Reading Time: 3 minutes Sometimes the struggle to teach and learn to step Chicago Style rests with the paradigms and cultural differences that shape how we look at what is right in front of us. Two people can look at the same video of two steppers dancing and see it differently – walking away with different perceptions.  Isn’t that the way it is with looking at any art? And, steppin’ Chicago style is an art.

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Yanni’s Perspective on Dating in the Steppin’ Community

BySonji

Reading Time: 6 minutes When I first started learning to step Chicago style and going to socials and sets in Virginia, I met many new people quickly and thought the steppers community was an ideal dating scene. I still think it is. The social atmosphere is a definite upgrade from the clubs and lounges I was going to locally with friends. I immediately tried recruiting all my single friends to start steppin’ with me and to meet new people. However I also learned along the way that many steppers did not date openly in the community or just didn’t date within the steppin’ community at all.

Cynthia Reaches A New Milestone In Her Stepping Journey
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Cynthia Reaches A New Milestone In Her Stepping Journey

BySonji

Reading Time: 3 minutes Cynthia Catoe-Warren has been steppin’ Chicago style for a year now and is one of the steppers in my local area Hampton Roads, Virginia.  I was thrilled when she told me she made it to her first weekend event in Arlington, Virginia at Steppin’ In Our Nation’s Capital Steppers – even if it was just for one day.

Choc James Chicago Stepper
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Choc James on Chicago Steppin’. Being Your Own Cheerleader

BySonji

Reading Time: 8 minutes Choc James piqued my interest because his name is popular on Facebook whether in videos, at an event, on a flyer, or his name is a controversial part of a group conversation. And, he is everywhere. I tried to find out more about the mystique of this man and his love for steppin’ Chicago style.

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Steppers In Virginia. We Step Chicago Style Too

BySonji

Reading Time: 4 minutes At Big Al’s 2012 Steppin’ 4 Life Charity Ball when they did the state roll call I insisted on over the mic recognition of Virginia presence. I was one person in the crowd from Virginia hooting and hollaring. From that moment, many steppers called me Miss Virginia and I answered to it proudly. I got used to traveling solo and made friends in every city I visited but since 2012 there has been amazing change in the Virginia Chicago style steppin’ community.