Reading Time: 4 minutes The best part of meeting Al Bowmen is knowing where he is coming from. I met Al a long time ago in Virginia Beach at a stepper set. He is one of the most understanding, patient people I know and my ace boon coon.
Reading Time: 2 minutes On a weekend in Chicago sharing the dance floor with the heavy hitters, masters and stars is not unusual. Don’t be intimidated. There is room for everyone on the dance floor even when dancing with the stars.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I met DJ Art of Noyze in 2012 when I first entered the steppin’ community. Over the years I have known him we had great camaraderie. I am still stunned that he is no longer with us. I will miss him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Help Maiy’s Miracle raise $20,000 to support DIPG Research. Proceeds benefit Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital to fund the Maiyanna Marie Antoinette Clemmon’s-McCarthy DIPG Research Student Scholarship. Maiy’s Miracle Fundraiser has made 84% of their goal. I am writing to every stepper to ask for a donation great or small.
Reading Time: 2 minutes In my Facebook post addressing the Coalition announcement on WLSC Weekend, I asked what “recognize individuals” means. At recent events and in Chicago I have received a mixed bag of reactions.
Reading Time: < 1 minute 2018 is the 28th anniversary of the World’s Largest Steppers Contest (WLSC). There is a lot of history across twenty-eight years. How much do you know about the WLSC in the history of Chicago style steppin’? Here is the first livingthe8count.com WLSC trivia crossword puzzle to test your knowledge. Good luck!
Reading Time: 3 minutes The general sentiment I heard from all directions on the Indiana contest performances was that everyone looked and danced the same. In the spirit of the 4th of July, find independence in your dance.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Contest season starts again in the Chicago steppin’ community. Although there are several contests in the community, to me “contest season” means getting ready for the World’s Largest Steppers Contest in September each year. For contestants serious about winning and leaving a lasting impression with the judges and the crowd, there is much work to…
Reading Time: 2 minutes At the announcement of the Black & Bling fire sale, I learned that I Love Steppin’ 11 Anniversary and the fifth Annual Black and Bling are scheduled for the same dates – April 25-28, 2019. I approached Devin Smith about the conflict and our conversation ended with “Next year, steppers are just going to have to make a choice.”
Reading Time: 3 minutes It is always great to meet a new stepper that “really” enjoys traveling to step. My friends who don’t step still don’t understand what motivates steppers to go everywhere just to dance, so like-minded steppers make me appear not so infatuated. There are more than a few of us crazy travelers. Meet one of the steppin’ community’s most active, traveling, glamorous, fashionista ladies and find out where she is in her journey! Meet Rene!
Reading Time: 3 minutes I wanted to know how steppers in Brasil started steppin’ and where they are in this dance. I met Evandro Ontiveros, one of the steppers in Brasil trying to strengthen the popularity of Chicago Style steppin’ in a country all the way in South America.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I consider this one of LT8C’s most important posts. When I coined the slogan “love, live, step” a cause such as “Maiy’s Miracle” was at the heart of “love” and “live.” Steppin’ has helped and supported people in our communities by donating through dance. Today find out how you can help a worthy cause and “Dance for DIPG.”
Reading Time: 3 minutes After a late afternoon departure, my roadie, Miki Peden and I, made our way to Charlotte, North Carolina for our very first Hats & Boots hosted by Smooth Stylz of Steppin’. We were already late and Miki kept pointing out the photos already shared on Facebook for the event showing who’d already beat us to Charlotte and were dancing the night away. I couldn’t wait to get there!
Reading Time: 3 minutes First, thank you Cynthia Bean for sharing Pete Frazier’s comments in “Cynt 2 Cents” yesterday. If it wasn’t for reading your newsletter I would have missed Pete Frazier’s post entirely. These new algorithms on Facebook are making it hard to stay in touch with everyone.
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.
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!
Reading Time: 3 minutes Leisha Rutledge’s business card says “Seamstress – Tailor – Dressmaker – Designer.” Fashion is her business and the 60% of her work from the steppin’ community is growing!
Reading Time: 3 minutes Do you recognize the Chicago style steppin’ community as a union of the fashionably elite? I do. After a few weekend events in my first year steppin’, the parties put my wardrobe to good use.