The Rise Of A New “DMV” Steppers Community

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My current home city is Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia faces similar challenges as some other steppin’ communities – not enough men, not enough intermediate instruction, and not enough frequent, regular socials and sets.  But this year I see several minds and hands from cities and states nearby at work to change these situations.

Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia share a unique challenge – we have a transient population of military and government contractors relocating all the time.  We have men, but we can’t get them on the dance floor and if they do drink the steppin’ cool-aid, in another 5 years or so, they move on for work or family obligations. In the last five years, five of our best Virginia steppers relocated and in this community, the departure of only five is felt.  Five men that are passionate, hungry for the dance, and at every stepper set – Herb Ihenacho, Eugene Jackson, Shawn Westbrook, Shawn Gary, and Bryant Nunn. If you live in their cities now, you know what I mean because I still see them on the dance floor every time I travel and even in contests.

What happened in 2016 that makes 2017 and the road ahead look so good regardless of who is the President of the United States?

• Instructor, Reggie Handy, moved to Maryland in late 2015 from the Chicago area. Now, he and Gary Brown are focused on taking men to new heights in their dance and to recruit new male steppers.  I anxiously await details and the schedule for their steppin’ showcases in the Baltimore area.
• “Affordable” bootcamp format workshops are held more frequently in this area. Beginner and intermediate steppers have exposure to “hours” of extensive instruction at about the same price as a 45 minute to 1 hour workshop. Josiah Burt, Royce Banks, and Vicki Henning have been here this year.  I hope these continue on a regular rotation next year.
• More “growing” annual weekend events are hosted in this area.  I can go to grand steppers events in Virginia, Maryland and DC to step with people from across the country. Most importantly there are no cannibalizing events scheduled for the same weekend in this area.
• The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, DC and Chicago Style Steppin’ is featured in the museum courtesy of Victor James.  We are practically in The White House!
• Our community has growing celebrities. One of my favorite local DJ’s Deejay Gnice is now on OhSoSmoothRadio.com.  And, Henry Williams and Darlease Hyman from the DMV represented our region at the 2016 World’s Largest Steppers Contest.
• Oh, and yes, this new website livingthe8count.com launched from the heart of Virginia.

I feel a new verve.  We have the support of instructors from the Midwest and from the heart of Chicago who want to teach this dance “correctly” and help communities grow in this dance. Passionate, seasoned steppers from Chicago like Kathleen “Kathy” Wiggins who know so much but are still willing to learn and to share the history they know, and encourage us to visit the mecca are a huge, positive influence in our communities. If we can keep the momentum of instruction and involvement, learn from those right here, our dance can be elevated and we can grow despite the rotating population. I already heard that Andre Blackwell is coming back to Virginia again in January for another workshop weekend.  That’s a great start to 2017. 

Sometimes new people and change beget new drive and action. Sometimes you have to look behind the curtain to see what is really going on.  Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia let’s put our heads together, hearts and minds in one accord to grow, shake things up, and make great things happen in 2017. Let us reveal our full potential. Everybody, get ready to be swept off your feet by the movement in the new DMV.

Be sure to join the Facebook Group @DMV & Surrounding Area Chicago Stepping Events to be a part of all that is happening.