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May is my birth month. It’s fitting to talk about the steppers’ birthday line.

I saw the stepper birthday dance line for the first time in 2012 at Jon Green’s weekly Virginia Beach Steppers’ set when Jon regularly celebrated birthdays. In a birthday line men and women line up to dance with each stepper who has a birthday in the current month. Each person celebrating has his or her own line. Steppers line up facing the birthday star and each take a turn dancing with the celebrating stepper for 30-60 seconds. It’s our way and time to celebrate each other. The DJ usually makes it a moment for a mix of mid-tempo, lively music for steppers.

At first, as a new stepper in 2012, the birthday line was intimidating to me. All I had was a basic with absolutely no footwork. How was I to make my turn a special moment and not ruin it for the stepper celebrating? What if I got off the beat or count everyone else was on? And, if the birthday dance was for a woman, I had no clue how to lead. If you’re overthinking like I was, do not be intimidated. Have fun with it! Steppers, the birthday line is about having fun in the moment.

I still participated despite my hidden doubts and I have enjoyed the birthday dance celebrating steppers – men and women – in many cities and in many places. One of my favorite birthday dances to watch is Sherry Gordon’s.

I believe there should be no rules in having fun, however I have heard over time about some traditions tied to the birthday line.

  • Show your stuff in 30-60 seconds or less.
  • Celebrate the person not yourself.
  • The line is usually started off with the person’s significant other.
  • Stay on beat with the rest of the line and try not to break the flow.
  • Don’t stop moving. If you do get off beat, relax, reset and dance.
Sonji Stewart and her birthday line dance

My Birthday Dance

I love the birthday dance line because I see steppers show their unique self in the dance while still in harmony with the people around them. Take advantage of this time to dance with the men and women you don’t always get a chance to dance with. For ladies that want to lead, it can be a chance to get some practice. For men, it can be time for man-on-man. During May and year-round don’t hesitate, join the birthday lines. Happy birthday first to all my Tauruses and Gemini’s. Let’s turn it up!! I had my first birthday line last Friday at the Grand Ballroom in Chicago. It was a blast!

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