Reading Time: 3 minutes Not until 2017 did I hear the terms “squares” and “bums” used in the steppin’ community. I have always loved how this community attracts “different” people. I hope in years to come, we can all find a place on the dance floor with each other and still enjoy ourselves and have a good time although we are different.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I am thankful to The Most High for realizing this experience for both me and my partner, Tshon. On this journey, I learned more about myself, had some unforgettable moments, faced some crucial decisions and was surprised by new fears.
Reading Time: 3 minutes In the last two months I stopped blogging and several steppers have asked me what is happening with the blog. In the five years that I have been steppin’ and involved with this community, this is the first time that even my thoughts were so overshadowed by what other people were saying or doing. One thing hasn’t changed and that is my love for steppin’ and so for good reasons, I am breaking my silence.
Reading Time: 3 minutes Antoine”Tony” Butler’s daily questions on Facebook have stimulated controversy, nostalgia and conversation. Tony you have caused quite a stir on social media with your questions and I’m curious what happened, what’s your motive and where do you think this will take us as a community? Let’s talk – real talk!
Reading Time: 2 minutes When I saw Jewell Booth immediately turn her back to someone casually passing by and stopping to take her photo with his camera phone, I was puzzled.
“Wasn’t he just taking your photo?” I asked Jewell.
“Yes, but without my permission! That is a topic you should write about on your blog.” she responded.
Reading Time: 6 minutes Walter Lane is from Apopka, Florida. He served 28 years in the military retiring as Command Sergeant Major. While in Detroit working for the Detroit News, he saw Chicago Style Steppin’. He returned to Florida in 1995 but got his chance to really focus on steppin’ in 2008 and has been steppin’ for 9 years. He has been instructing since 2010. As a club manager in the military and growing up in a club because his father was a club owner, Walter knew about entrepreneurship, running a club, and how to create an atmosphere for successful social events. He offers classes for free and as a community activity to provide a social outlet for adults where grown folks can go out and have a good time. His organization, Florida Steppers International, has outgrown any organization in the state of Florida and caters to a grown folks audience with a classy event atmosphere. Walter aspires to open a studio where he can teach children to step because he believes teaching our youth to step can prevent them from getting in gangs and other trouble.
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you are looking for a winning partner for a steppers contest, it is not just about dancing with the person who makes you feel good dancing to your favorite song. A well-rounded partner and you bringing the same qualities to the table are what it takes. So, what is important?
Reading Time: 5 minutes Every time that my friend Michael “Mike B” Bennett returns from a steppers event his photo review and photo editorial shows up in my Facebook feed and always captures my attention. He always seems to capture a little of everything that tells the full story of his weekend and with music. I love his nostalgic point of view. I did not make it to the 2017 Adult Steppers Spring Break (ASSB) last weekend as I planned, but I know he was there. I thought Mike B was the ideal person to give me the recap on ASSB and share his perspective on what went down last weekend in sunny Florida.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I thought about writing this article for a long time. I tried to write other topics but my mind wouldn’t let me. This isn’t directly about the dance itself but it is a topic rooted in etiquette and I believe just as important. Two weeks ago I said to my niece, “Shanice if you ever need a hug, go to a stepper set or class.” On the start of my 2017 Midwest tour I have met many people in Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit. And, I am learning some things the hard way but still learning. Maybe this article is more a point of record for me but I will share my thoughts.
Reading Time: 2 minutes One of my favorite people to step with is Sharvin Whitted. He helped me with one particular fear. When I saw this video with him in my Facebook feed a couple of weeks ago, I thought, “There he goes again.” I smiled and remembered when I could not get over the edge.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I made a promise to myself to visit Chicago this year on a week when there was no World’s Largest or major event going on in the city. So said, so done. I spent five days in Chicago in the middle of March and there is so much to say about that time. During my trip, I had a chance to sit and talk with Michael “West Side Mike” Bush.
Reading Time: 5 minutes I met Ronnie B in Atlanta for the first time and I had been exposed to his music from videos I had watched on YouTube. It is hard to forget watching this man and his beautiful wife Ronda steppin’ in his music videos. You can hear most of his music on his albums, Hopeless Romantic, So Mental, or Get Away and see his videos on YouTube. In Atlanta I hear his music quite often played at Ms. Mary’s Saturday Set.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I think I have finally recuperated from this year’s Heritage Ball weekend because it is truly a “no sleep weekend.” There are tons of gorgeous photos and videos from the event all over Facebook. I had my special moments – some caught on camera and others not on camera that made the 2017 Heritage Ball a memorable time for me.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Has someone ever cut in on your dance at a steppers set? If not yet, it will probably happen. When it happens to me I might be thinking, “Wait! I was enjoying that dance.” And “can you get me on the next song?” but I don’t say it because the person I was dancing with graciously, like a true gentleman gave my hand to a new partner with no argument. Why?
Reading Time: 5 minutes We see young steppers on the dance floor but we don’t hear much from them. It was my delight to interview a fellow blogger and stepper, Camille “Cami” Taylor. Cami shared her insight as a fifteen year old to her inspirations and what fuels her curiosity about Chicago Style Steppin’.
Reading Time: 2 minutes In more than five years dancing in the stepping community, I didn’t walk away from someone in the middle of a dance. When I did this recently I did not feel good about it and I learned from it.
Reading Time: 2 minutes A first dance is not a date. Nothing is wrong with light conversation and some steppers actually appreciate it because it breaks the ice. Steppin’ is a social dance. Men and women want to dance,…
Reading Time: 2 minutes I ended 2016 doing something different this time. I decided to step. I went to one of my favorite places to be – Atlanta. The weekend was a great time with friends from “everywhere” and after four great weekend sets that just energized me for the year ahead. Hello 2017.