Learn about the community activities in steppin’ cities across the nation. Many organizations and groups within the steppin’ community help others in different ways. Some organizations raise money for scholarships, celebrate sobriety, raise money for non-profit efforts and to help other people on a journey to wellness. This is what community is about.
Sometimes the struggle to teach and learn to step Chicago Style rests with the paradigms and cultural differences that shape how we look at what is right in front of us. Two people can look at the same video of two steppers dancing and see it differently – walking away with different perceptions. Isn’t that the way it is with looking at any art? And, steppin’ Chicago style is an art.
When I first started learning to step Chicago style and going to socials and sets in Virginia, I met many new people quickly and thought the steppers community was an ideal dating scene. I still think it is. The social atmosphere is a definite upgrade from the clubs and lounges I was going to locally with friends. I immediately tried recruiting all my single friends to start steppin’ with me and to meet new people. However I also learned along the way that many steppers did not date openly in the community or just didn’t date within the steppin’ community at all.
Cynthia Catoe-Warren has been steppin’ Chicago style for a year now and is one of the steppers in my local area Hampton Roads, Virginia. I was thrilled when she told me she made it to her first weekend event in Arlington, Virginia at Steppin’ In Our Nation’s Capital Steppers – even if it was just for one day.
There are great steppers coming out of other midwest cities besides Chicago. Whenever I see April Simmons dancing she is often leading and after her winning performance at the 2017 Detroit White Party I thought her perspective on the ladies’ lead would be a good one to share.
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.
Choc James piqued my interest because his name is popular on Facebook whether in videos, at an event, on a flyer, or his name is a controversial part of a group conversation. And, he is everywhere. I tried to find out more about the mystique of this man and his love for steppin’ Chicago style.
At Big Al’s 2012 Steppin’ 4 Life Charity Ball when they did the state roll call I insisted on over the mic recognition of Virginia presence. I was one person in the crowd from Virginia hooting and hollaring. From that moment, many steppers called me Miss Virginia and I answered to it proudly. I got used to traveling solo and made friends in every city I visited but since 2012 there has been amazing change in the Virginia Chicago style steppin’ community.
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.
In the last two months I stopped blogging and several steppers have asked me what is happening with the blog. In the five years that I have been steppin’ and involved with this community, this is the first time that even my thoughts were so overshadowed by what other people were saying or doing. One thing hasn’t changed and that is my love for steppin’ and so for good reasons, I am breaking my silence.
Antoine”Tony” Butler’s daily questions on Facebook have stimulated controversy, nostalgia and conversation. Tony you have caused quite a stir on social media with your questions and I’m curious what happened, what’s your motive and where do you think this will take us as a community? Let’s talk – real talk!
I made a promise to myself to visit Chicago this year on a week when there was no World’s Largest or major event going on in the city. So said, so done. I spent five days in Chicago in the middle of March and there is so much to say about that time. During my trip, I had a chance to sit and talk with Michael “West Side Mike” Bush.
I met Ronnie B in Atlanta for the first time and I had been exposed to his music from videos I had watched on YouTube. It is hard to forget watching this man and his beautiful wife Ronda steppin’ in his music videos. You can hear most of his music on his albums, Hopeless Romantic, So Mental, or Get Away and see his videos on YouTube. In Atlanta I hear his music quite often played at Ms. Mary’s Saturday Set.
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.
We see young steppers on the dance floor but we don’t hear much from them. It was my delight to interview a fellow blogger and stepper, Camille “Cami” Taylor. Cami shared her insight as a fifteen year old to her inspirations and what fuels her curiosity about Chicago Style Steppin’.
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.
When I started Chicago Style steppin’ I experienced new hair maintenance struggles. On 4-5 day event weekends, I needed a hair stylist after the first night because my ‘do’ would be ‘done’ from the welcome set and still — days to go. As much as I strived for perfect hair to stay put, survive the main event on Saturday, and be intact for Sunday’s farewell, my hair -relaxed or natural – was a struggle. For my natural sisters looking for ways to get your hair the way you want it for any day of an event weekend, it is possible. Alexis Perkins and Tyshawna Witherspoon present in their new book Kinks to Curls, how to maintain a natural lasting, curl pattern without chemicals.
Thank you for all you do LT8C readers and supporters! This is the anniversary of three successful months. And, I have made some site changes and updates just for you. Thank you for your feedback.
It is that time of year when some people take stock of the new year ahead and what they plan to do. Are you ready for a contest? The WLSC season has passed and you saw who was on stage and how they performed in 2016. Did the performances inspire you to get ready to be on stage next year or….? Well, it takes work to get to that stage and leave a lasting memory. Read about Virginia’s own, Henry Williams, and his journey to the WLSC 2016 stage.