Going to and learning in Donnie Davis’ class has been integral to my stepping journey. I have never lived in Chicago, but Donnie Davis’ class is where I go every so often to be in a class setting. It is the place for me to level set with Chicago, socialize, and meet other dancers who want to learn, and it is a playground for inspiration and realization. If you have ever been to Donnie Davis’ class on Saturdays in Hamilton Park, you are familiar with the unique free-form learning format and its organic feel.
This week, along with the World’s Largest Stepping Competition, the Donnie Davis’ All-Star Steppers Class on Saturday is a big draw and highlight for steppers and dancers at the WLSC Weekend in Chicago. It’s been a popular part of different conversations over the last month. I was surprised when more than one person argued that Donnie’s class format is unorganized and that $30 is too much to pay for entry to the All-Star Steppers Class. I believe some steppers don’t understand the structure of Donnie Davis’ class to appreciate its value and price. And the All-Star Steppers Class is a part of the WLSC Weekend that no stepper should miss. I am ready to argue.
Why I Value Donnie Davis’ Class
Steppers from different cities always ask me to tell them about learning from Donnie Davis and what they can expect from his class. I can only speak and share with them from my experience. Donnie Davis’ class appeals to me because of three fundamental principles.
The Chicago Level Check
On my first visit to Donnie Davis’ class, I had been learning to step for almost five years in Virginia. Intermediate level? I could follow a few of the gentlemen I danced with in the class. However, my setups for subsequent moves were not smooth and effortless from one to the next. I struggled with the footwork drills. My foundation was not what it should be. After watching and speaking to others in the class who had been stepping for four years or less, I realized I was way behind them and still very much a beginner in Chicago’s eyes. I visit and level set on different aspects of the dance even now.
Contest Motivation
I have told this story before. Donnie Davis introduced me to my first contest partner, Tshon the Gentleman. Donnie asked me, “Have you ever thought of competing before?” I said, “Not really, but I don’t have a partner.” Within the hour, I was dancing in Donnie’s class with Tshon. Hours later, we were in Milwaukee’s Largest Contest Prelims New School category and headed to the WLSC stage in 2017. I notice that many people in the WLSC are in Donnie’s class, and it’s a great place to meet other contestants, exchange ideas, and get ready for the stage. It’s a place to meet contestants, multiple-time winners, contest judges, and others who want to compete.
Time with the Hidden Gems in Chicago
Donnie’s class is from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Hamilton Park. Here, I meet several instructors and dancers who only teach in Chicago. You will see many instructors that visit cities outside of Chicago, but there are more great dancers in Donnie’s Class who you won’t meet unless you see them in Chicago. The instructors have unique and different styles, and it is not that easy to pick out their students because many people don’t walk out of Donnie’s class looking like anyone else on the dancefloor. It’s definitely a place of opportunity to find you in your dance. A three-hour class is plenty of time to move around to different people and learn your interests. Your instruction is up to what you are looking for.
What Chicago Values About Donnie Davis’ Class
I asked a few people in Chicago who have referred steppers to Donnie Davis’ class why they refer students to his class and also talked to instructors from the class.
Molding the Men and Defining Personal Style
Donnie Davis’ class is the place to find some of the best male instructors with unique styles that can help leads unleash their individuality in the dance. This is the class where men can get the most help to find their dance at any level and create their personal style. If you are a lead looking to find your footwork, Donnie’s class is the place for it. Instructors like Vicki and Gigi in this class help the women, but most of the ladies they refer to find their sexy and do styling once they have a solid foundation.
Paying It Forward
I asked instructors I see regularly in this class why they show up weekly and give time to help. “Donnie has contributed and done much for the community and helped me develop my dance. I am simply continuing to pay it forward and giving back because this is where I came from.” Others say that teaching in Donnie’s class helps them to learn because they meet new steppers who are always different. Teaching also helps the instructors to continue learning.
A Rite of Passage
Brian Forbes from Inside Steppin recently said, “When you come to Chicago, this is a place that you must come. This is a rite of passage. You’ve got to come to Donnie Davis’ class in Hamilton Park in Chicago. This is where you can learn from everybody.” I have heard this a few times. A rite of passage is a ceremony or ritual that marks a significant change of status in society. Some tell me that Donnie Davis’ class is a rite of passage for anyone who wants to instruct and teach stepping in Chicago. Learning from Donnie Davis is a must on your stepping resume for credibility to instruct and the approval you learned from one of the right sources. Many of the people instructing in Donnie’s class have their own stepping classes. I believe learning from Donnie Davis is a rite of passage for every stepper.
The Advantage of the Donnie Davis Class Format
Donnie Davis’ class format addresses many complaints that I hear about class instruction from steppers. I feel like I am doing the same thing in every class every week. The whole class is held back when we have to wait for one student to figure something out. I am not working on what I want to learn. I don’t feel challenged, and I am dancing with the same people over and over who don’t seem to be working on their dance at all after leaving class. The pretty women are getting all the attention. I am not learning anything beyond the basics in my class because we also teach beginners.
In Donnie’s class, you can walk in with a particular focus in mind or not. Whether you want to work on your creativity and flow with footwork drills, dance with someone more advanced to see if you’ve improved, pick up something new, or meet a specific instructor and have a “private” or exclusive session right there in the class one-on-one. There is something for everyone at any level; everyone present is here to dance, teach, and learn. Donnie will point you in the right direction if you don’t know exactly where to go.
Different pockets of people work in different areas of the room on different things. Weekly different people show up in class, especially visitors from outside of Chicago. Different seasoned dancers from Chicago show up weekly to instruct and guide steppers on what they want to learn. This class format, with groups of people scattered across the room doing different things, is a very organized and intentional effort and method.
Donnie’s Worlds Largest All Star Steppin Class
This weekend, I am looking forward to the All Star Steppin Class as a part of the WLSC Weekend. If it is anything like the others I have attended before, food is served, there is a contest, many steppers will be there, many different instructors will be there, and there’ll be great music. This is not the same as Donnie’s regular class, but it is executed with the same principles in mind. Many instructors and steppers/dancers will be present from across the country. Find your focus and join in. Dance a lot with different people. Create new memories, learn, and have fun. You won’t find all this knowledge, creativity, and talent again in a single room until this class happens next year.
The contest also gives every stepper a chance to show out and win. The class is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – five and a half hours. $30 is more than a fair price for this experience. Ultimately, I feel encouraged and satisfied because I’ve learned something, met new people, and am ready for the WLSC. I hope to see you on Saturday and look forward to the 2023 experience.
CONTESTANTS: If you are a WLSC contestant this year, this is the place for your contest campaign. Contest campaign? Yes. You should be making the rounds to the people in the audience. There are so many couples competing. Do you want the audience and judges to be able to pick you out of the bunch? Should you enter the contest at Donnie Davis’ class? I don’t know. The answer is whether you and your partner want to shake them or show them. That’s up to you and your partner. And, of course, this is a great way to see the other contestants. Know your competition.
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Welcome! I am the writer Sonji Stewart. These are my travel stories about my Chicago Stepping experiences, traveling from city to city to dance. I hope my stories encourage you to join me in the adventure.
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