Do you know about all the chances to win big money in stepping contests in our community like Champions of the Dancefloor [COTDF]? When I hear steppers discuss contests and winners, usually it is about the World’s Largest Steppers Competition – WLSC. WLSC is the most popular contest for several reasons. It’s been around for more than thirty years; has paid out cash and awarded trophies over the decades to several winners; and has given many steppers a big stage for a moment to shine. A goal for many steppers is to win the WLSC, but the WLSC is not the only steppers contest.
Some time ago, I saw Kevin Doc Dockery’s Facebook post about winning in Minnesota. Surprise! There’s another contest I did not know about. I decided to follow flyers to find out what contests were hot even if they were not in Chicago. I am sharing this list with you so it doesn’t take any stepper who wants to compete, five years to find out what’s really going on in the contest world every year. And, it’s a new page on our website. Surely, this is not an exhaustive list but it’s a start to know the major steppers contests. The lineup starts in March and ends in the fall. I met up with contest host, Harvey Dobbs, to get the details about the first contest happening in just a few weeks – The Champions of the Dance Floor.
The Champions of the Dance Floor in March
First, The Champions of The Dance Floor, will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Dearborn, Michigan, by Versatile Productions Inc. This is a three-day weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) event that starts with a comedy show, includes workshops and parties, and ends with the contest on Saturday at the main event. In its ninth year, the contest brings dancers from everywhere including winners from Chicago’s WLSC to compete in the New Skool Steppers Category. Harvey Dobbs with Versatile Productions discussed what has made COTDF such a huge success in the Detroit community.
Talking to Harvey Dobbs about COTDF
I understand the drive and motivation to compete, but I was curious about Dobb’s motivation for starting COTDF. The first COTDF was in March 2013. Versatile Productions Inc was founded in 2008 and Harvey and a previous member of the group were traveling to places like Maryland and DC to compete in contests for different dance styles. Harvey has 12 dance styles under his belt but there were only 2 contests in Detroit and other Detroiters were traveling elsewhere too for competitions like Chicago’s WLSC.
“We just didn’t have many contests at home. I made it my mission to do something so that the people here can see the people who like to compete.”
In the planning stages in 2011, naysayers tried to convince him that contests don’t work in Detroit. “You’ll get two years and then no one is going to show.” He stuck to his plan and in 2013 he held the first COTDF and it’s been growing every year since. It’s been a great success. This may soon be a 2-day contest if it continues to grow at the rate that it is. I asked Harvey what satisfaction he got out of hosting the contest.
“Knowing that I created something that people are happy with and enjoy. They like coming and the ability to leave my mark in my community and the city. My satisfaction is knowing I created a legacy that hopefully when I walk away I can pass it on to somebody. Like the WLSC, I love the legacy of it and that is what I aspire to. I can leave my contribution to the community after I am gone because I love dance. I was able to outlast the naysayers. We are the longest-running black-owned urban dance contest in the state of Michigan.”
Keys to a Successful Contest
Some say mixing Stepping, Ballroom, Salsa, and Latin Hustle was not going to work, but Harvey knows it does work if we can give everybody enough of what they came to do. “Please your audience.” Every year he asks patrons, “Give me anything that you thought was negative.” He wants that information because he knows if his audience does not find value or enjoyment in it, then the contest will be no longer. He wants to create and present something that is sustainable.
2024 Champion of the Dance Floor
Contest categories are Detroit Style Ballroom, Stepping, Graystone, Walking, Beginners Steppers, and the Open Category (Salsa, Rumba, DC Hand Dance, etc). We are versatile in our dance so the contest also reflects that.
- DJ Black Cool from Chicago is providing the musical soundscape for the Stepper Set on Friday and on Saturday morning we are having different workshops with Harvey Dobbs, Bobby Green, Tyrone Barkley, Ed Donaldson, and James Valentino.
- The floor is open for dancing in between category performances and before and after the contest.
- If you are thinking about entering COTDF, the cutoff for contest entries was January 1, 2024. However, late entries are still accepted with a $40 contest fee. It is not too late to be in it and win it or to show up to support fellow steppers.
A Thank You to Supporters and Champions from Harvey Dobbs
The support I get from Chicago is overwhelming. I want to thank Shawn Hayes and Dana White who were the first Chicago couple to enter and Nikee and Tori who drove down the day off the contest and entered. They got word back to Chicago, “This is legit! You need to get in.” Dave Maxx and Joanne Caine have been judges. Several other couples and dancers from Chicago have competed – Ken Hilliard, Lady Margaret, Rich Jackson and Sebrina, Kirk White and Bridget, Tabu.
I want to thank everyone from all over – my local community – Detroit, and Atlanta, Milwaukee, California, and Ohio – and any cities I did not mention who have come out to support. I am happy and thank them for seeing value in what we are doing with Champions of the Dance Floor. We have awarded $95,000 in prizes so far in nine contests. For our 10th anniversary next year, we are adding The Champions category with a $10,000 prize pot. I want to show all my champions whosupported me, this one is for y’all. With the grace of God, and having a good team behind, me we will continue this.
Other 2024 Stepping Contests
Before I unleash the entire list, some of you may wonder, “What is the value of entering all these contests?” If you’re a serious “contest” stepper, contestant, or not, smaller contests are a way to:
- Keep competing and ready for competing all year long
- Build name and recognition for yourself on the contest circuit for steppers before hitting the WLSC stage
- Sweep up some cash and win
- Get used to being in front of new and different audiences to dance and compete
- Handle unique contest dynamics like a seasoned contestant
The 2024 contest lineup includes: Champions of the Dance Floor, WLSC Preliminaries, The All Star Bash, Red White & Smoove Smoothest Stepping Contest, Milwaukee’s Largest Steppers Contest, The WLSC and The Texas Heat. Visit our Upcoming Contests Page for the details and keep checking for updates. I’m hoping that we see contests like the Get Down in Chicago and the Red Contest in Indiana return for the steppers. Please cross your fingers.
See the “NEW” livingthe8count,com Contests Page
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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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