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.
Reading Time: 3 minutes With no beginners’ category in the World’s Largest Steppers Contest (WLSC) newer contestants have to forge a path in this dance. The question of new school versus old school has become more important to newer steppers who want to compete.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I had a great time at Stepaganza on my fifth year attending this event. In 2019, the event’s 10th anniversary, I arrived excited to step and did not want to leave. There were a couple of changes that made the event better and I had many reasons to enjoy this time in St. Louis.
Reading Time: 2 minutes When I started steppin’ with Jon Green he had a birthday dance at his weekly set. I was intimidated but enjoyed it too. The birthday dance has been an opportunity for me to learn and dance with many different people in many cities across the United States.
Reading Time: 3 minutes This year, St Patrick’s Day was my first time going to the Fifty Yard Line Sports Bar on a Monday to groove and step to the music of the legendary DJ Sam Chatman.
Reading Time: 4 minutes Dasen Moore, a new transplant to Chicago, moved to the windy city a little over six months ago. In my trips to Chicago I see him out all the time and I already see a change. I had to sit and talk to Dasen about his big move to Chicago.
Reading Time: 4 minutes The best part of meeting Al Bowmen is knowing where he is coming from. I met Al a long time ago in Virginia Beach at a stepper set. He is one of the most understanding, patient people I know and my ace boon coon.
Reading Time: 2 minutes On a weekend in Chicago sharing the dance floor with the heavy hitters, masters and stars is not unusual. Don’t be intimidated. There is room for everyone on the dance floor even when dancing with the stars.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I met DJ Art of Noyze in 2012 when I first entered the steppin’ community. Over the years I have known him we had great camaraderie. I am still stunned that he is no longer with us. I will miss him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Help Maiy’s Miracle raise $20,000 to support DIPG Research. Proceeds benefit Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital to fund the Maiyanna Marie Antoinette Clemmon’s-McCarthy DIPG Research Student Scholarship. Maiy’s Miracle Fundraiser has made 84% of their goal. I am writing to every stepper to ask for a donation great or small.
Reading Time: < 1 minute 2018 is the 28th anniversary of the World’s Largest Steppers Contest (WLSC). There is a lot of history across twenty-eight years. How much do you know about the WLSC in the history of Chicago style steppin’? Here is the first livingthe8count.com WLSC trivia crossword puzzle to test your knowledge. Good luck!
Reading Time: 2 minutes At the announcement of the Black & Bling fire sale, I learned that I Love Steppin’ 11 Anniversary and the fifth Annual Black and Bling are scheduled for the same dates – April 25-28, 2019. I approached Devin Smith about the conflict and our conversation ended with “Next year, steppers are just going to have to make a choice.”
Reading Time: 3 minutes It is always great to meet a new stepper that “really” enjoys traveling to step. My friends who don’t step still don’t understand what motivates steppers to go everywhere just to dance, so like-minded steppers make me appear not so infatuated. There are more than a few of us crazy travelers. Meet one of the steppin’ community’s most active, traveling, glamorous, fashionista ladies and find out where she is in her journey! Meet Rene!
Reading Time: 3 minutes I wanted to know how steppers in Brasil started steppin’ and where they are in this dance. I met Evandro Ontiveros, one of the steppers in Brasil trying to strengthen the popularity of Chicago Style steppin’ in a country all the way in South America.
Reading Time: 3 minutes I consider this one of LT8C’s most important posts. When I coined the slogan “love, live, step” a cause such as “Maiy’s Miracle” was at the heart of “love” and “live.” Steppin’ has helped and supported people in our communities by donating through dance. Today find out how you can help a worthy cause and “Dance for DIPG.”
Reading Time: 3 minutes First, thank you Cynthia Bean for sharing Pete Frazier’s comments in “Cynt 2 Cents” yesterday. If it wasn’t for reading your newsletter I would have missed Pete Frazier’s post entirely. These new algorithms on Facebook are making it hard to stay in touch with everyone.
Reading Time: < 1 minute First, I saw his hat. A couple of years ago I saw him in a tall red hat and oversized glasses at the Heritage Ball. Immediate thought? “Who is that?!!” I did not see his full ensemble until a break between songs and steppers broke away from the dance floor. Then, after traveling a lot more to different cities for weekend events I saw him more and more. A feature post on Maurice Thomas is a great close out to LT8C’s January focus on fashion in the Chicago Style Steppin’ community.
Reading Time: < 1 minute Here is the 2017 Year in Review/Recap. I decided to put together a video this year since it’s time for an upgrade. I hope you like it! Please leave your feedback in the comments or vote for the video.
Reading Time: 3 minutes 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.