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[5/10/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Isn't It Time Yet?
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers and Flyers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Last
night I saw a
video on YouTube that was promoted as Salsa and Cha-Cha-Cha Meet
Steppers in Chicago. (those with a YouTube account should comment on the
video) It was promoted as a fusion of the dances, but what I saw was
anything but what was being promoted according to the text that
accompanied the video. The basic pattern from stepping was completely
missing I've seen successful fusion between steppers and Salseros like
Ken Amorio and Tina and Eric as well as the legendary Calvin Barnes.
Videos like the one described above do a disservice to our dance and
misrepresent to the public what Chicago style stepping looks like by
causing confusion in the public eyes. It's just one more reason to call
for recognition of the basic pattern as an "official standard" for
certification of Chicago style stepping. I've been calling for
certification of the basics (and no other part of the dance simply
because everything beyond the basic pattern can be chalked up to an
individuals style) for a very long time now. There are people out there
that attempt to call line dancing stepping, we know it isn't stepping
(it's a diversion from stepping that happens once a night at many
steppers sets), but confusion for the uninitiated public comes into play
once again. We need certification of the most unmistakable part of the
dance… the basic pattern. You can't say you're a Chicago style stepper
if your dance doesn't include the basic pattern. It really doesn't
matter which count variation you use, just use the basic pattern! The
dance is being subverted by others because of a lack of solidarity (i.e.
standardization and certification via the basic pattern) because of a
failure to really "own" the dance. Chicago style stepping is suffering
an identity crisis with the public because of inaction on the part of
the community. No one is attempting to stifle creativity in the dance
but a stand in behalf of the dance needs to be made and soon. Everyone
seems to be in agreement about the basic pattern, so what is the next
step? If the broader Chicago style steppers community can't come
together to create some sort of a national board of governance (like
other dance forms use widely) how could this come to be? Who can
exercise enough influence to bring this beyond the point of conversation
once and for all? The conversation is necessary, but action is what is
needed for the sake of the dance. Hit the bar with comments and
suggestions.
Tags
Isn't It Time Yet?
Sunshine Stepping at Club 142 in Hammond, IN with a variety of the stars
of the Chicago style stepping community including Steppin' James, Carlos,
Dominique, Johnny (JC) Carter, Royce Banks, Swan, and G. Porgie. The video
was shot freehand by Markie Bee (SteppersUSA.Com) live and unscripted after
Sunshine's Ladies Styling class.
Earl & Robin at the 219 Contest Finals
Take a look at our You Tube Steppers Video page and rate some videos (Seven pages now)
SteppersUSA.Com sells Steppin' DVDs from across the Steppers Community.
Click Here to view the listing
or
send us an email
if you would like to include your DVDs on SteppersUSA.Com
The SteppersUSA Daily News and SteppersUSA.Com are both daily publications which update continually. We accept and publish Steppers classes and workshops, Daily events, weekly events, monthly events, special events, steppers news, requests for information which we can't answer but our visitors may have an answer to. All of this makes us the most complete listing of Steppers information available anywhere. Send your submissions and pluggers or flyers to us at pluggers@steppersusa.com
-
Steppers History
If you or anyone you know has any photos, footage or information about or from any Steppers contests for the History of Stepping Project, I'd love to add it to what we have. It's Your History! OR If you have a personal recollection concerning stepping or if you care to help with the in any manner, please Send us an email.
Steppers Community Definition Added
Cross Reference Word Index Added
Multiple Definitions Added Definitions Page
2006 3-G's Contest results added Timeline Updated
Steppers Compete 2003 Timeline Updated
The Dungeon in Chicago in the 1970's See the Personal Recollections Page
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A Message To All Steppers (Click Here to View)
Please copy the message below and send it on to as many steppers as you can please!
This is an open message to ALL steppers. Please share it with as many people as possible.
As many of you may already know I started a new web site for the benefit of the greater steppers community. It's called History of Stepping Project. I wish to encourage you to add your knowledge to the timeline. If you know anything about stepping, please share this with the public on this site. We are looking for all information related to stepping from it's beginnings to the present. The information literally includes everything from clubs and bars which held steppers sets and parties to contests and the participants and results, to when different steppers organizations and classes started, who the instructors were and are; Musical bands, and artists, DJ's, radio and television personalities, Movies, videos, and photos… literally everything stepping.
Creating an accurate historic timeline will go a long way toward helping the community take the next step in its logical progression as it continues to grow nationwide and will become a valuable resource for all in the future.
Your input, your knowledge and your effort have made the dance what it is today. Don't you feel your place (and your organization's) in the timeline is well deserved? I do!
Please send an email to your members or readers inviting them to participate. Place a link on your web site also please. All support is appreciated!The effort requires more than just posting the information. The need for fact checkers, people willing to do some research exists in this important ongoing project. Just a few minutes a week can make a difference.
Thank You for your time!
Markie Bee
The History of Stepping Project -
Steppers Special Events Details (Click Here to View)
Do You know of a set not listed? Post it in a comment on Google Connect.
Sunday May 10, 2009
The Dungeon Reunion Part 3
Gentle Persuasion
8959 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL
6pm - 2am
After 8 $5 Door
312-671-8255
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Mothers Day Steppers Extravaganza
Grown Folks Entertainment
San Luis Banquet Hall
50 S. Green Bay Rd., Waukegan, IL
7:00pm – Midnight
$5
Dress to impress
312-859-2099 847-912-9678Related Content By
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Mothers Day Steppers
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Lonzvell Martini Lounge
1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, GA
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678-525-5598
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6154 W. Sahara. Las Vegas, NV
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5 Door
www.instepcommunity.com
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Sophisticated Sundays (every other Sunday)
Cloud 9 Bar & Grill
5150 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN
8pm - 12:30am
$5 before 9 $10 after
317-329-2939
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The Palace on 5th
529 E. 5th Ave., Gary, IN
5pm - Until
$7 Door
219-886-9346 www.gielitesteppers.com
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Steppin' Out On Sundays (Every Sunday)
Hosted By: 'South Style Steppin'
The 'Rumba Room'
303 S. Main St. Memphis, TN
6:00 - 10:00 P.M.
$5person - $7 couples
www.21stcentproductions.com
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Monthly Events Special EventsEvery Sunday Night, Ballroom
Gregory's (Ballroom, Steppin, Hustles & Bop)
2510 N. MLK Blvd., Lansing, MI
7pm to Midnight.
$5 Door
Dress Elegantly Casual
517-394-5170 or 517-862-1070
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Mr. G's
1547 W. 87th St., Chicago, IL
6pm - 12am
$7 Tickets $10 Door
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Classic 5
50 Yard Line
69 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL
4pm - 10pm
FREE
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D'Tox Bar & Ultra Lounge
2305 St. Charles Rd., Bellwood, IL
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$10 Tickets $15 Door
312-519-2707
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Sunday Nite Steppers Set
Giovanni's Sapphire Room (NEW)
1131 E. Sibley Blvd. (147th St.), Dolton, IL
6pm - 12am
FREE
708-841-5000
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The Caballeros Club
1516 S. 28th St., Tacoma, WA
4pm - 9pm
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253-332-5655
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Nostalgia Nite Club
7155 N. 43rd St., Milwaukee, WI
6pm - 11pm
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414-617-8488
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