When someone can start a trend and influence others to believe in their idea, this is history in the making. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, there is a new trend making waves for weekend event experiences – stepper silent parties. When I first experienced a silent party hosted by Carla and thought how it might relate to Chicago Stepping, I was not too sure how the market would react. How could this fit with Chicago Stepping? I wasn’t sure. One woman, Carla Platteborze, stepped out on a limb to try silent parties for the first time at a stepping event this year and steppers are loving it.
Steppers know and recognize that Chicago Stepping evolves, but there is a lot more changing in our community than just the dance itself. Going through the COVID pandemic and quarantine we saw how many steppers and leaders in the community learned to change the way we deliver and enjoy the Chicago Stepping experience – from virtual classes and sets to social media footwork competitions. As the calendar fills up again with more weekend steppers events and we all get back to the “real” wood, how we deliver the weekend experience is also evolving.
Weekend hosts aim to create unique, memorable experiences in a competitive market for patrons to attend this year’s event and return the following year. Carla saw a concept that seemed to work for a younger audience. She recognized an opportunity and invested. This was a chance to see how silent parties can help enhance the musical experience at weekend events. Promoters are responding and steppers love it when they can control the musical vibe.
Meet Carla
Carla is originally from Farrell, PA but she currently lives in Newport News, Virginia. She is one of the ladies I have met in the Stepping community from my local Hampton Roads area. She was first introduced to Chicago Stepping by Hazel Proctor about nine years ago but only attended one class. Then, about two years later, Hazel reintroduced the dance to Carla. She started going to classes on a regular basis. At the time I started really getting into stepping and going to classes I was going through a divorce from my ex-husband of 30 years. It was a welcoming change and very much needed. The more I immersed myself into it the more I fell in love with not only the dance but also the Community.
What appealed to you about silent parties for you to start this as a business?
The thing that most appealed to me about silent parties was the vibe and the way it allows people to choose at any moment what vibe they want to experience. You can sit back and chill by yourself, dance with a partner or a group…whatever feels good to you. I noticed after attending a few silent parties that the age group was primarily under 30. The vibe and energy were so amazing, I knew I wanted to share it with the “older” crowd.
How long have you been hosting Silent Parties?
I hosted my first silent party in June of 2018, so almost four years.
Please explain what a silent party is and how it works.
It’s a very simple concept. This video explains it all in 1 minute.
What made you believe that this was a service people would love and enjoy?
I believe, if you’re someone that likes or loves music and dancing and you are given a platform that allows you to choose from at least six genres of music it is a win-win situation. The headphones also allow participants to have social conversations without trying to yell over the music. They can adjust the volume to their desired level. There is a whole age group demographic to reach. I believe they would love this concept once they have an opportunity to experience it.
What so far has made silent parties such a hit for steppers?
At this point, I have had my silent party at one weekend stepping event. It was a hit! I was hired to do one silent party. Because steppers were so responsive I was asked to do another silent party on the same weekend at the event. Many steppers loved it and I am glad that it was a success. I have booked three other weekend steppers events because of the success of silent parties at the first event.
How do you see silent parties fitting in with the Chicago Stepping experience?
I see silent parties fitting in as a day party event, a meet and greet event. It works in this type of setting especially since you can socialize and talk without yelling over the music. I think stepper silent parties are also great as an after-party event during stepping weekend events.
What are some of the events for 2022 where we can experience Carla’s Silent Parties?
Currently, I am scheduled to have Carla’s Silent Parties, LLC at Red, White, and Smoove hosted by Columbus Keyz (Smoove Vibes Entertainment); Krush and Kreme hosted by Ted Williams (Steppers Around the World); and Fade 2 Black 2nd Annual Extravaganza hosted by Reice Turner (World Steppers, Inc.) In my local market, I will be hosting Silent Parties at Triple Effectz Lounge in Newport News, VA on April 1.
What are some service enhancements you are already working on for your customers?
Some service enhancements I am working on include purchasing more headphones. I am getting ready to host larger parties and don’t want to run out of headphones. Also, I am expanding to diverse groups that encompass an array of musical genres.
SEVERAL times, I have heard from people who have yet to experience a silent party that stepper silent parties seem really weird and hard to understand. I totally get that and can only say you should experience it to fully understand the vibe. Here is a testimonial from stepper, Branden.
Branden Shares His Stepper Silent Party Experience
I walked into the silent party straight from the plane. Literally, I had my luggage with me. I checked in with staff from Nyce Entertainment to get my weekend pass and submit my driver’s license to get my headphones. I received my headphones and they briefed me on the different channels, colors, and volume controls. The dance floor was dark as night, and you could only see red, green, or blue hues illuminating.
The darkness and quiet made me feel like I was secluded inside my imagination. I began looking for a dance – someone who was synchronized with my color (which was blue). The music felt more personal because it was directly in my ear. Dancing was interesting. Then, I witnessed how people can hear the same song but focus on different parts. For example, rhythm, tempo , upbeat, downbeat, melody. I knew the same song was playing because of the color coordination, but seeing my partner’s movement versus the way I heard the song intrigued me.
Branden Williams
To book Carla’s Silent Parties for your event contact:
Carla’s Silent Parties. Call or text 757-254-6592
- Newport News, Virginia
- Carla’s Silent Parties
- Instagram: Carlassilentparties
- Facebook: Carla’s Silent Parties
Carla Platteborze. Celebrating a woman in business starting new trends for events in the stepping community.
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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