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The State of Steppin' (Original
text written 2/14/2007) There's trouble with a capital T and It don’t rhyme with S which stands for Steppin'. The old Skool don't like what the new Skool is doing, and the new Skool is bored with old Skool, the bar owners are realizing the younger steppers don't drink as much as the last generation, so established sets head toward extinction. Just keeping it REAL. None of this is new, some claim it is. The fact remains… Bars come and go as do Steppers sets. Bar owners have been willing to support Steppin' for many years, they put forth money, time, and space to instructors and promoters with the reasonable expectation that people will come to their drinking establishment to participate in these activities and while participating, they expect people to purchase their products while using their space and time. When this doesn't happen, when expectations aren't met, the Bar owners will sour on Steppin' and the set will end. In 2006 we saw it happen at the Razz Ma Tazz, and in 2007 it's happening at 3-G's. It's a trend. What can be done to keep places available for people to dance and to showcase their talent? Cooperation between generations of Steppers... Can it happen? The "generation gap" has existed for ages and will last as the next younger generation is able to show some form of disdain toward what the older generation is doing or has done. They will give lip service to the previous group of Steppers by saying they will honor what was done "back in the day". Their actions show their hand. As a result Steppin' changes. One thing all generations need to realize, the one consistent thing about Steppin' is that it is continually changing. Not so many people do the Bop these days. So the new Skool steps to Hip Hop, what's wrong with that? Chicago style Steppin' will always be Chicago style Steppin' (what ever form it takes in the future). Herb Kent used to say on his Steppin at Club Seven Show, "Steppin' isn't just a dance. It's a way of life". Business is a part of life too. Let's face it there aren't many aggressive business people in Steppin' today. What I mean about that is there aren't aggressive business people who step, but at least aren't aggressive for the sake of Steppin', its promotion, and growth. Too many people are thinking too small. How many instructors actually spend REAL money to advertise? How many promoters use the radio, television, print, and the Internet in conjunction to promote their sets? Let's keep it REAL. If a business doesn’t have the money to do what they need to do, they need to find financial backers. They have to show those backers their excitement for their business and how they will grow that business. Only a very few have the courage to show their faith in the art form known as Chicago Steppin' by putting their money where their mouth is. Many don't follow up and make the necessary effort to make their set, or their class THE place to be. How many instructors give their students incentive to stay at the bar beyond class by offering some food after the class, or having a birthday celebrations for students? How much effort does it take? How many instructors take students on regular "field trips" to other Steppin' Clubs? How much effort does it take? Many will say these things cost money. That's right. And you know an aggressive business person will spend the money. Are today's instructors up to the challenge? Can they convey that feeling of excitement for the dance to their students? Promoters plug sets, but what do they do once they get people in the club? Most don't do much more. People come to Step, but they won't stop to drink unless they are being entertained. What are the promoters doing? How much effort does it take? Is the money a problem? If so, some promoters should rethink their choice of occupations. Steppin' is on the cusp of being in the national spotlight, has been for years. What will take the art form to the "next level"? Perhaps if more people who are willing to be Don Quixote and chase the impossible dream. People who are willing to be aggressive business persons who are prepared to have the insight to see the opportunities as they appear and are willing to spend money on advertising, make effort, and follow up with a viable business plan. As an example, a couple of days ago, I sent an email to all of the Instructors who's email address was at my disposal, and offered to publicize their workshops for free (since SteppersUSA.Com is an advertising based web model). As of this writing, not one of the instructors has replied. No follow-through even when it's free! I will follow up, but I can only ask. I will keep asking. Another example is in an email I received from a person in Savannah Ga: "Ain't nobody but me willing to step in Savannah, GA. I heard on Michael Baisden that there was a steppers class every Saturday but every time I call, the class is cancelled. I want to learn how to step. What am I to do?" Again a lack of follow-through is apparent. Just think if the instructor had the class with just one person and instilled the excitement in the art form, perhaps the next week might bring more people. I know I read an article a short time ago about customer service. Customer service is an important part of the business of Steppin'. Once again that's part of follow-through. Sometimes the lack thereof is apparent. I use this as the tag to my emails; I feel it's appropriate in this case: "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you'll suck forever." - Brian Wilson Isn't it time for every one to "Step" beyond the mediocrity. Where are we going to have our sets as more bars come to the realization they can make more money in other ways? There will be more bars, more ballrooms, space rented in hotels. It's all cyclical, from the basements, to the ballrooms, to the bars and clubs. It changes as the generations change with the times, as does Steppin', as Steppin' will always do.
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