
With
the immediacy of today's new media, I really wonder… Why do we need
three months to promote an event? I'll dig in to that a bit later. I
mentioned in a previous article that Facebook reminded me of the old
Yahoo! Clubs of about ten years ago. This was proven to me yesterday as
the news of Michael Jackson's collapse, stroke, coma and eventual death.
I'm always suspicious of news that comes from many of the "new media"
outlets on the web because all too many times, a photo has been
"Photoshoped" or sensationalized through some sort of exaggeration. I
watched the story evolve on the major classic news outlets like CNN,
MSNBC, ABC, and CBS as I watched and participated on Facebook in the
"delivery of the news". Once the news hit the wall on FB, at around 4:30
CST with the report of his cardiac arrest to the first report of his
death at around 5:00, it took until almost 6:00 for the major news
outlets to confirm the story. News travels fast, and rumors seem to
travel faster. The bottom line of this particular part of the story is
the world lost a true genius with the loss of Michael Jackson and no
matter how we may feel about his personal behaviors we should all take
the time to mourn the loss of an entertainment giant. When you watch a
music video, remember it was Michael Jackson who made the music video
popular. When you listen to the range of music he produced as an
innovator, you can only give him honor and praise. When you watch him
dance you can only learn by his example of perfectly executed
choreography. Michael is in a better place now. God bless and rest in
peace Michael Jackson. The next part of the story returns to the use of
"new media" yesterday we saw how quickly the news can travel on the
internet. Considering that speed as a part of the promotion process, I
am starting to wonder why it's necessary to promote an event over a long
period of time. Granted if you are going to travel to an event, it's
nice to have some lead time for travel and related expenses, but local
events are a completely different story. With proper promotion using
flyers, and word of mouth and with the use of "new media" websites,
twitter and Facebook an event could be successfully promoted to the
public in one month's time. The only lead time that would be necessary
before getting the word to the public would be agreement with the venue,
printing of flyers, getting the contractors like DJ's, catering, etc
together. I know this CAN be time consuming, but that's not the aspect
I'm pointing out. A great promoter leverages all of the tools at his or
her command. Those tools include all of the above.
![]()
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
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
![]()
Do You know of a set not listed? Post it in a comment on Google Connect.
Friday June 26 2009
Christian Steppers Set (4th Fridays)
Oakview
Community Center
4625 W. 110th St.
Oak Lawn, IL
7pm - 12 am
Donations Accepted
christianstepper@yahoo.com
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D.R.D. Productions
Community Action Partnership
1200 W. Glenflora Ave. Waukegan, IL
7:00pm - 1:00am
Advance: $5.00 Door: $10.00
Steppin' In Denim
224-944-4387 statru71@yahoo.com
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Seven Cities Steppers Jazz Festival Weekend
Marriot Hotel
235 E. main Street
Norfolk VA
202-549-3021
Sevencitiessteppers@yahoo.com
www.sevencitiessteppers.com
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Montgomery Steppers
Third annual White Party Weekend June 26 - 28, 2009
Embassy Suites Hotel
300 Tallapoosa St.
Montgomery AL
www.montgomerysteppers.com
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United We Step
Second Annual White Party
Stranahan Theater Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns
Toledo OH
9pm - 2am
No Gym Shoes
419-810-2216
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Black & White Party
Consolidated
3725 Don Filipe Drive., Los Angeles
7pm - Until
$10 Door
312-595-1360
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DeJaVu Steppers Association
Ms. Maddy B., KeKe, & Vasco B-Days
Burbank Manor
6345 W. 79th St., Burbank, IL
8pm - 2am
$7 Tickets $10 Door
Steppin in Navy Blue & White
773-416-5536
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Black Mary The Original Olde Timer
The Dorchester
1515 E. 154th St, Dolton, IL
8pm - Until
$10 Tickets $15 Door
Steppin' in Black & White
773-715-7039
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First Ladies of Swing
The Grenadier Club
4502 N.E. 23rd, Oklahoma City, OK
9pm - Until
$5 Door
405-412-8651
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4th Fridays in Killeen
Spurs Night Club
702 East Elm, Killeen, TX
9pm - 1am
$10 Door
Swingout
254-338-0141
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Distinguished Gentlemen
Club Ice
6200 S. Freeway, Fort Worth, TX
8pm - 2am
$10 Tickets
817-568-8800
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Stepper Set (Every Friday)
Word of Mouth Entertainment, LLC
Blackmon's VIP Lounge
127 Collinsville Avenue East St. Louis IL
8:00pm - 1:30am
Free
Attire: casual
618-830-8117 iaryisrael@yahoo.com
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Big Boss Steppers & 21 Souls
Bono's
2029 Ogden Ave., Lisle, IL
8pm - 2am
$5 Tickets
Dress to Impress/No Athletic Gear
630-885-6870
www.BigBossSteppers.com
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Tommie and Orlando
50 Yard Line
69 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL
6pm - Until
FREE
Casual
773-846-0005
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Greg Rashid & DJ Thrill
LaRobbs Night Club
10300 Union Ave., Cleveland, OH
9pm - Until
$3 after 10pm
Dress: Elegant
216-632-0312
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