What in the Sadie Hawkins Did He Just Say
Reading Time: 2 minutes A moment at a Sadie Hawkin’s set and a casual conversation with a stepper friend stirred up some realizations and revelations about responses to how women dress on the set.
Tony Dow. Rooted and Reputed in Chicago Style Steppin’
Reading Time: 3 minutes When a family has a rich legacy in music and dance, and a respect for art, the younger generation is born into a duty and responsibility of teaching and paying it forward whether or not they know it. What someone chooses to do with this duty is determined by his/her affect, character and sensibility. Meet Tony Dow.
The DJ Responsibility of the Music and the Mic
Reading Time: 4 minutes The future of Chicago style steppin’ may be all in the hands of our deejays – the masters of the music. In ten years, our community should land where the music takes us. That was an important message I took away from Reggie Miles’ interview. Today I want to pay homage to steppin’ deejays who have taken on this responsibility.
Reggie Miles on The Three Dimensions of Chicago’s Social Dance
Reading Time: 9 minutes After this interview with Reggie Miles I started to look at Chicago Style Steppin’ differently. Mr. Miles shared a lot and I could write a book. Since our interview, I watch more than I dance when I am in Chicago and I take in a whole lot more. Thank you Tony Adway for introducing me to this Chicago icon and legend, Mr. Reggie Miles, and for making our conversation possible. I hope this moment shares an eye-opening perspective for any reader. Enjoy the interview!
Tony Adway. Making Waves With Serious Talk. Part 2.
Reading Time: 4 minutes I heard about Tony Adway and learned more about him through his Facebook Live show. In Part 2 of our interview I found out how that show came about, people’s opinions of him and the future of Chicago style steppin’. Here goes.
Tony Adway. When You Have A Second Chance
Reading Time: 5 minutes Tony Adway tells it candidly – straight no chaser about his intentions and what really matters to him. Here is Part 1 of my interview with the man behind the smile.
Choosing Your Contest Songs
Reading Time: 2 minutes How do contestants go about selecting their songs for a contest.
The Introduction. Who Is Reggie Miles?
Reading Time: 3 minutes I had a chance to meet and talk to the legend, Reggie Miles about many things. There are many facets to his personality and so we talked for a while. I listened and learned a lot. I had to segment his feature into more than one part. Here is Part 1.
I See Naked Chicago Steppers Really Dancing
Reading Time: 2 minutes When steppers on the set unveil themselves on I remember the music.
Words With The Contest Winner JB Burns
Reading Time: 5 minutes On June 8, 2019 stepper JB Burns and his partner, Kelly Roberts, won first place at the 12th Annual Bo Watson Red Steppers Affair Steppin’ Contest walking away with trophies, $1,000 prize, and bragging rights….
Contest Conversations. Things I Have Been Asked or Things I Have Said
Reading Time: 2 minutes World’s Largest Steppers Contest – is a hot topic. What do contest steppers talk about?
Dance Chemistry. What Is It?
Reading Time: 3 minutes What is dance chemistry and can you create it? Why is it so important?
Considering the Need for Men in the Chicago Steppin’ Community
Reading Time: 2 minutes By a lucky circumstance I made it to the west coast last weekend to the SDC Third Annual Summer Set. This trip to San Diego was my first time on the west coast for a steppers event. My last time on the west coast four years ago was in Seattle for an Alaskan cruise. My San Diego trip was impromptu and I wasn’t ready. Really.
Choosing a Contest Category, Out of Towners Stuck in Middle School
Reading Time: 3 minutes With no beginners’ category in the World’s Largest Steppers Contest (WLSC) newer contestants have to forge a path in this dance. The question of new school versus old school has become more important to newer steppers who want to compete.
When I Just Want to Dance, I Stepaganza.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I had a great time at Stepaganza on my fifth year attending this event. In 2019, the event’s 10th anniversary, I arrived excited to step and did not want to leave. There were a couple of changes that made the event better and I had many reasons to enjoy this time in St. Louis.
Etiquette 10. Do Not Burst the Trust Bubble
Reading Time: 2 minutes Recently some moments in Chicago reminded me of the importance of trust in steppin’ Chicago style.
A Stepper Tradition. The Steppers Birthday Line
Reading Time: 2 minutes When I started steppin’ with Jon Green he had a birthday dance at his weekly set. I was intimidated but enjoyed it too. The birthday dance has been an opportunity for me to learn and dance with many different people in many cities across the United States.
Old School Steppers. I Really Love Mondays with DJ Sam Chatman
Reading Time: 3 minutes This year, St Patrick’s Day was my first time going to the Fifty Yard Line Sports Bar on a Monday to groove and step to the music of the legendary DJ Sam Chatman.