Steppers are always excited about the next major weekend event. Weekend events in the steppin’ community are all about fashion, socializing to meet new people and reconnect with old friends, being active and dancing and having a good, memorable time. Here are posts about weekend events, personal true experiences, how to plan for weekend events and promotions of events.
After a late afternoon departure, my roadie, Miki Peden and I, made our way to Charlotte, North Carolina for our very first Hats & Boots hosted by Smooth Stylz of Steppin’. We were already late and Miki kept pointing out the photos already shared on Facebook for the event showing who’d already beat us to Charlotte and were dancing the night away. I couldn’t wait to get there!
I haven’t been home to Atlanta for a couple pf weeks now (LOL) and to not be there for the Black Tie Gala this year was surely a disappointment. I still wanted to hear all about it and so I had my friend Gabbi give me all the details about what I missed.
As the mind behind Chocolate Girl Productions and host for The Stepping Into Fall Affair, Barbara “The Chocolate Girl” Hawk should be a good person to talk to about getting your feet wet in hosting Chicago Style steppin’ weekend events.
I think I have finally recuperated from this year’s Heritage Ball weekend because it is truly a “no sleep weekend.” There are tons of gorgeous photos and videos from the event all over Facebook. I had my special moments – some caught on camera and others not on camera that made the 2017 Heritage Ball a memorable time for me.
I ended 2016 doing something different this time. I decided to step. I went to one of my favorite places to be – Atlanta. The weekend was a great time with friends from “everywhere” and after four great weekend sets that just energized me for the year ahead. Hello 2017.
A three hour drive to DC changed my life last weekend. I had a chance to connect with some true legends, work on some ideas to change my dance and put my feet to work. It was a great time and I won’t forget it.
[table id=33 /] 12/3 Red and Black Affair Saturday Roof Top Dinner. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 12/24 The Season Finale. The Gold Code, Sarah’s 13th Anniversary. Atlanta, Georgia 12/30 Pre-New Year’s Eve and Capricorn Explosion. Decatur, Georgia
When you turn on the regular radio station, most times you don’t hear a steady flow of music you can step to. So, where can you find music to dance to any time of day? If you haven’t heard about it until now, log on to OhSoSmoothRadio.com the online radio destination owned by Mykel “DJ Shorty Smooth” Farr based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I checked in with Mykel to find out more about his “virtual steppers set.”
In years past, there were not too many steppers events in the latter part of the year. I would close out the year with the Christmas Colors Ball but I have not heard anything about it happening in 2016. October, November, December and January are my months to save some money for next year’s events. Not so much anymore. There is much more going on that I know about right through the end of the year and I plan to be a part of some of it.
One of the faster growing stepper communities in the southern region is North Carolina. When I visit Durham, Greenville or Charlotte – I see new faces on the dance floor each time – both men and women. The North Carolina steppers cultivate and attract staying community interest and put conscious efforts ini some interesting ways to engage steppers, love each other and motivate new steppers to stay. This is the fifth year for the North Carolina People’s Choice Awards and groups unite to make this the grand affair it is meant to be.
NEW!! My personal wish list of steppers events. This is a “wish” list and I can only hope to make it to most of these events barring no conflicts. There are obvious conflicting dates so I have to make some choices. Get out and support these events if you can. I hope to see you on the dance floor at one of these destinations soon.
When I went to Chicago before I was so mad that I spent so much money on a hotel room that I hardly spent any time in. I went from party, to after party, to party after the after party and just popped in my room for wardrobe changes. I had noooo sleep. Well, again I stayed at the Convention Center and this year, rinse and repeat I did. I will probably do it again. Here is what I did that was so much fun for a die hard stepper like me and if you are set to go to WLSC in 2017 start your list of what to do with these places and events.
Sarah Teagle and the Ball Committee made this a memorable time. I do a bit more than a recap here, but instead – a review with ratings. When I walk away from an event weekend these are the things I have paid attention to and these factors make for a good or bad experience for me. If you agree or disagree, tell it.
The Steppers Ball in Atlanta is a great end to my stepper summer. 2016 is the 17th year of the event and this is one of the longest running east coast Chicago Style Steppin’ events so it has to be on my stepper agenda. I have only been twice and I enjoyed both times. Atlanta makes me feel like I can never wear out my welcome so I am there as often as I can. After weeks away, it is time for me to get back to steppin’ in the ATL!
Many people have stirred up lively conversation on social media about the World’s Largest Steppers Contest prelims. There have been many choice words of reviews and defenses from the general public, previous contestants, current contestants from the prelim videos that have been posted on Facebook. Reviews all slant to the notion there isn’t much to be expected at this year’s contest and there aren’t many new faces making a good, lasting impression. But, does all the commentary really make anyone decide not to attend the contest? On the contrary, for me.