[2/7/2010 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Party Overload!
By Markie Bee
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webmaster@steppersusa.com Today's
Steppers Beat column is sponsored by:
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I went to the Dejvu party at the
Burbank Manor (photos in the
photos section) for my Saturday night party visit. I was greeted
by Steppin' Greg with a fist bump as I walked in and
MaddyB ran up to me and said "Hi Facebook friend!"
The party was great straight from the start as DJ Steve Breeze
was in control for Suave Larry's birthday party. I saw so
many Facebook friends I'm not even going to try to drop names. There
was a fantastic collection of steppers in the place with both old
skool and new skool which is the sign (to me) of an established set
that has managed through the years to keep everyone in the mix.
From the very beginning of the night I knew the place was going to
be packed there were a bunch of reserved tables (as a matter of fact
some of the reserved tables weren't even marked as Cynthia Bean
and I found as we got moved from our preferred table… which was
no problem for us).
This brings me to one of my favorite
rants and it has nothing to do with any
single steppers club it's what I call "the reserved table conundrum".
It's well understood promoters and their clubs need to reserve tables
for club members, VIP's, and birthday parties.
The question is where is the "tipping point"? At what point are there
too many reserved tables of the total number of tables at a particular
venue? I've seen it time and time again at steppers events and I hear
people constantly mumbling under their breath (sometimes much louder)
they can't get a place to sit of their very own. You generally don't see
the same problem (at least until late in the evening) at other parties
so I think it's a matter of planning.
Chicago style stepping is growing (even in Chicago) as evidenced by
better turnout at the quality events. There has to be a point where the
venue needs to be changed to a larger place with more capacity. No
longer is it a good reason to stay at a place because the price is right
for what you get because what you end up getting are a couple of things
you don't really want. Customer (party goers) service
is so very important and if they can't sit down with their friends when
they want to it will end up biting you after all is said and done. New
people to the whole stepping scene don't necessarily want to stand all
night generally, they sit and watch until they get the nerve to go out
there and try the dance. You can't grow the dance (and your market
share) that way. If you want to make more money and get more people
involved, get a place where you can grow into. That should be a never
ending cycle of evaluation and action for progressive promoters and
clubs that want to "spread the love".
I know many clubs in Chicago have been having their sets and parties at
the same place because the venue has been good to them for many years
but when a place gets so packed people can't move or sit you have to
wonder how much money you could have made if you had your event in a
larger place.
It actually hurts you when you don't adjust and change with the times.
It can also put you into a liability situation. You can't put 500 people
in a spot that has a capacity of 400. At some point the fire marshal
could walk through the door and shut you down or even worse, some bad
situation could happen (remember E-2). It only makes sense to get into
some larger, more appropriate digs BEFORE something negative happens.
It really goes back to how much you care for your clients (party
goers). Their comfort level should be your number one
priority and when you put the price
and profit before them everyone will end up suffering. With a larger
place you can increase sales and create an even better atmosphere for
everyone which is a win-win situation in my book. What do you think?
Back to the Dejvu party … I got asked by so many people (I stopped
counting at around 20) if I was going to the Heritage Ball in Atlanta,
it was ridiculous! I would love to go to the event (I've even got a
place I can stay at) but I don't have a ride to and from Atlanta (or the
money to buy a plane ticket). Yes, I've been invited but since I can't
afford it and no one else is offering, I'll hold the fort down in
Chicago. It's a business decision… I don't go to events to party. I go
to events to give a party value through my photos and this column and if
promoters can't see the value in that, all I can say is too bad for
them. ISA News
Thursday night I got an email from The International Steppers Association
(ISA).
They have an official date for their official signing and charter. It's
going to be on June 26, 2010 in Washington DC. Here's the email: The International Steppers Association is fast approaching the
signing of its inaugural bi-laws and constitution. The purpose of the
ISA is to assist in the promotion and furtherance of the dance
internationally. We will culminate our efforts in hosting an official
recognition chartering ceremony on 26 June 2010 in Washington DC. We
would like to invite your participation in this effort as you are the
local Steppers, promoters, teachers that represent Steppin in the
greater Metro complex. The day will consist of a business meeting in the
morning followed by the recognition ceremony in the early afternoon or
evening. If you would like to participate in any capacity, we would like
to hear your ideas and thoughts. The signing and presentation will be
documented in the local, regional and national media with a public news
release and photo opportunities. We encourage your feedback and thoughts
as we prepare for what is hoped to be a legacy trail of achievement for
Steppers for some time to come.
If we have left someone out in the invitation, please forward
accordingly to maximize acknowledgement.
We host a teleconference call each Sunday at 7pm EST. If you would like to
call in this Sunday, 7 February 2010 at 7pm please do so. Or simply
email us back for questions or comments.
Thank you for your participation in advance.
On behalf of ISA members,
T. Dweylan Wilson
President
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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 to us at
webmaster@steppersusa.com
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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.
Do You
know of a set not listed? Post it in a comment on Google
Connect, email, or call me.
Sunday February 7, 2010
Always check with the venue
or organization to confirm an event before going.
The Devastating Divas, Luther Gage Prod & The
Group
Gentle Persuasion CANCELLED. THEY WILL BE BACK IN MARCH 2010
708-979-5419
LaGents Entertainment Superbowl Party
Watra Club
4758 S. Pulaski, Chicago, IL
6pm - 1am
$10 Cover
773-628-9297
Steppin With Us
Chez Roue
5200 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
6pm - Until
$5 b4 8pm $10 after
Tri-FeKtor Entertainment
A List Lounge
212 S. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH
6pm - 11pm
$5 Cover
Steppers Sharp
937-270-1508
Percy L Julian Alum Kevin Nevels Presents
12th Annual Superbowl & Birthday Celebration
The Dorchester
1515 E. 154th St. Dolton, IL
2pm - Until
Tickets $10 Door $15
708-704-7533
Real
Steppers S.C.
The Jazz Spot
400 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO
6pm - 12am
$10 Cover
Attire: Dress www.Stlouissteppers.com
First Sunday Steppin' - Super Bowl
Steppin' Sunday
DBJ Productions
El Fogon Latin Restaurant
3636 Frankford Rd. Suite 300 Dallas TX
5pm - Midnight
$10 Door
815-209-5777
www.dbjproductions.com
Los Angeles Steppers Connection Superbowl Party
LASC Dance Studio
159 N. Market St., Inglewood, CA
2pm - Until
$15 Cover
310-895-5712 www.mylasc.com
Class Act Steppers
The Jazz Bar
South Dekalb Mall, 2081 Candler Road, Decatur, GA
7pm - 12am
$5 Cover
Class Attire
404-663-9269
www.classactsteppers.com
Virginia Beach Steppers
Magic Moments
2224 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA
7pm - 10pm
$10 Cover
757-650-6570
www.virginiabeachsteppers.com
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Steppers Beat column is sponsored by:
