Let me put this out there first. I am nobody’s dance critic. I have seen the Facebook posts and candid sentiments about the 2016 World’s Largest Stepper Contest(WLSC) prelims. In general, it seems a lot of folks are not happy with the performance of the contestants that stepped up this year or have pretty much said, what the hell was that? I hope “all” those fueled with the passion to make bold critiques have been on the dance floor at some point competing at this level. It takes a lot to prepare for competing in any art form and a bold move for two individuals to get ready to make the statement to the world, “I am great at this, now tell me what you think.” For all who dare to compete as steppers my best words for you are: put your best foot forward; do you; and make it a performance you don’t want to forget.
Despite the early reviews, I have every intention of being at the WLSC this year in Chicago and I still look forward to the contest. My last and only time at WLSC was 2012. At that time, I went with no expectations. I just wanted to be in Chicago and eat from places like “Nuts on Clark.” I didn’t watch the prelims because I was such a newbie, I didn’t even know the contest had prelims. I know better now and have watched several prelims since then. I am especially interested in what some new steppers do in the beginners and new school categories.
This year, from the videos I watched, I haven’t seen any new couple that wow me with “performance” but some have shown true preparation knowing to check mark traveling the floor, mirroring, footwork technique and not out dancing each other but letting the lady shine. Those are the contest basics but it will take something extra to wow the crowd and judges to stand out and win. I hope that the couples are preserving the wow factor as a secret weapon for the actual contest.
I look forward to the contest this year and every contestant bringing everything – the wow factor, pizazz and surprises. There is no feeling like being there in person to see it all. I remember being on the edge of my seat watching Dominique Dow and Tony Dow perform and praying that her shoe strap becoming undone didn’t trip her up in a turn during a “great” performance. The other stand out for me in 2012 was in the beginners category. Shawn Bandy and Paris White really put on a grandstanding performance. I remember thinking, “Wow! They are beginners? Shiiiit!” I am glad to see that Paris in the trios category this year.
Shawn and Paris are a good example. I watched their prelim video from 2012 today. If you look at the prelim video and compare it to what was remembered from the contest performance, you can tell they saved a lot of show for the final performance and won! Contestants take heed. I remember the controversy stirred by their performance and that is what competition should be about. Keep the people saying something – anything about you.
Credit: Chistepper.com YouTube Channel
Here is the posted list of contestants for 2016 from Chistepper.com. I wish for all the contestants to put forward their best performance. I am still pretty pumped to get to Chicago and be there firsthand and see how all this goes down! Counting down the days to WLSC:
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