[8/11/2010 SteppersUSA Daily News]
More about New Blood
By Markie Bee
National Chicago Style Steppers Day
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This is becoming a daily habit but it's a good habit! I want to thank Terrance Pratt for posting about National Chicago Style Steppers Day on his website Chistepper.Com. To answer his question about his understanding about the event... Yes, the only thing being asked of Steppers is that they organize events and get out to dance.
 Even if your event isn't an "official" celebration, I hope you remember to commemorate the occasion at your party or set! It is what it is and it's all about our dance.
The column yesterday about a third generation of Chicago style steppers caused me to think a bit more about the subject. As humans we always seem bent toward classifying everything and everyone so I pose this question... If the Old Skool is still the Old Skool and the next generation should now be called the New Skool what are we supposed to call the middle generation of steppers because they aren't the New Skool any longer and they aren't the Old Skool are they?
Technically speaking they would probably become part of the Old Skool right? I don't know but I know quite a few (old) New Skoolers who would probably have a fit if they were called Old Skoolers... but time does march on doesn't it?
We don't want to introduce age into this especially since in our highest profile activity... the Worlds Largest, we finally got rid of the age grouping in the categories.
I'm starting to think perhaps (even if they don't like the label) we're going to have to start calling the (old) New Skool...

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you guessed it... Old Skool.
So now the (old) New Skool will start to have someone nipping at their heels like they the (old) New Skool have been doing to the Old Skool for years. They will have their every statement and move on the dance floor challenged by younger, more energetic and athletic steppers. Soon enough they will know how it feels to be the "OLD Skool" and they will have to learn tolerance and adjustment to the times just like their predecessors had (have) to.
Many of these (old) New Skoolers will want to "put those so and so's in their place" because they are changing what they know as Chicago style stepping... but as they say what comes around goes around and you end up reaping what you sow.
There's another saying that comes to mind, time heals all wounds. After some time the folks in the middle of the generational change will eventually understand much more of what the group they are becoming part of (the Old Skool) have been talking about.
Since I'm using lots of aphorisms today here's another one... It will all come out in the wash. Hopefully it will come out bright and clean and for the good of the dance.
Of course as Dana Augustin pointed out in a comment about the article yesterday... "While many of the new Skoolers have aged whether their style actually shifted is another matter." While that may be true, the latest New Skoolers appear to be adding more footwork, less spins and attention to some details many of their predecessors never seemed to understand either by design or not. You never know... in a few generations, the dance may be smooth and elegant as it was once before instead of being a direct contradiction to that style. What did I say about what comes around? Remember things aren't ever the way they were and the past is the past. I'm eager to see what the future holds for Chicago style stepping no matter which twists and turns come our way.
The J.E.P. Productions Hotter than July steppers contest is now on sale and can be ordered online here. Or Right Here!

What are you doing on August 14th? Please GO STEP!

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