Creativity. Dre Says There Is Always Something New to Learn
Here is part three of our interview with Andre Blackwell on creativity in Chicago-style stepping. He talks about other styles of dance and his achievements.
“Never stop learning.”
-Dre
Do you do other styles of dance?
When I was listening to a lot of hip hop I pop-locked many years ago. I am born and raised in Chicago so I love house music. I am a house head. I love steppin’ and I am trying to learn salsa. I have about ten to fifteen moves and I am still learning. I am learning without a teacher right now and trying different things.
What have you achieved in stepping?
A ton of respect, a ton of notoriety. A ton of winning, trophies, and money. There are a lot of things I have achieved. The love of dance, the love of people, the respect, the humility, and learning to be human. I learned a lot of things in this dance. Importantly, treat people like you want to be treated. Never turn anybody down when it comes down to dancing. I don’t want anyone to turn me down, but I have and I learned from it. So I don’t turn anybody down.
What does Andre Blackwell have left to achieve?
Years ago I wanted to do this steppin’ instructional video, but my interest is peaked by many different things. I want to dance in The White House with the President and his lovely wife, First Lady Michele Obama. If they could do their last dance and step with me teaching them, that would be nice.
Do you see any new and upcoming “game changers” now?
Yes, definitely Drewry Alexander and Ed Donaldson. They are basically doing what we were doing back in the day. They are good. Nikee and Tori have very different styles too.
Words to Remember
Be yourself and enjoy life. Life is too short. Dance until you can’t dance anymore. Steppin’ is a way of life. Step until you can’t step anymore. If you have the opportunity to travel and learn, travel and learn the dance. Enjoy the dance.
There are so many people dying today. Cancer is taking over, diabetes – all these different diseases. If you get the opportunity to dance – if it costs you your last $5, go dance. I mean, eat first, pay your bills, but dance. I feel good when I dance. I feel like another person. It’s a whole workout and a whole other world out there when I dance. I just love it!
Credit for photos: Facebook: Photos AnnetteNewborn
Awesome Sonji,
There is quite a divide pertaining to the old steppers learning from friends and family and New Steppers “living the 8 count”. This might help bring an understanding of how The Lindy Hope evolved into the Bop and the Bop Into Stepping.
I’m Living the 8 count without a name change thus far, so I’m stuck in the Middle. The mindset of the old watching the dance change is Very Interesting.
But, “Everything Must Change because nothing stays the same! The young become the old etc”
Thanks Queen 🌹 for this outlet🤟🏼