Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Over the last several months, you our readers have submitted your favorite steppers music to our readers choice page. By no means is the list exhaustive or complete. There are many more dusties and there are many more newer songs that could be on the list. I'm sure there will be even more songs on next years list (which will be added to the current list). A few weeks ago, I put together the 2009 Steppers Music Choice Survey. You don't have to register for the survey, and it's completely anonymous. All you have to do is choose from the list of songs the songs you consider to be the best Chicago Style Steppers Music. The list is long but you know which songs you believe to be the best. The survey is there to highlight the consensus of our readers current music choices, and it's completely unscientific. Please take the survey and ask your friends to take the survey too. Click this link to take the survey. Yea, it's time to have some fun with this during a time when everything around us is so deadly serious. Another nice diversion brought to you by SteppersUSA.Com. I don't know why, but when I saw this quote by George Orwell this morning, I had to share "Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it." Sounds like the... Continued

]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/2/2-1-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance B25CB7FB-9D4F-45D5-A809-AC81D4239B6B Sun, 1 Feb 2009 10:31:29 -0600

In this Issue Today's Events Featured Set This Weeks Workshops New Event Additions Featured Class Contests This Weeks Features Recent Updates	Volume 2 Issue 174 Friday 1/30/2009 Today's Events For Friday, January 30, 2009 Today's Roundup: Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com Western Region  (Green indicates Special Event) Los Angeles Dream Steppers Club Hall of Fame Hollywood Park Casino Inglewood, CA Arsimona Bar & Grill / Martini Lounge Oakland, CA Friday Night Steppin at the Elks Phoenix AZ Las Vegas Steppers Club Pegasus Nightclub in Alexis Park Resort Las Vegas, NV Desert Steppers / Dre & Company Farenheit 128 Scottsdale, AZ Los Angeles Dream Steppers Club Hall of Fame Hollywood Park Casino Inglewood, CA Johnny’s Uptown Phoenix, AZ Them Steppin Kat's 1 Year Anniversary Arizona Charlies (Diamond Meas Ballroom) Las Vegas, NV Eastern Region  (Green indicates Special Event) Chicago Style-Steppers of Boston Steppers Biff's Lounge Boston, MA Steppers and Walkers Restaurant and Lounge Birmingham, AL Hard Bottoms Club A Happy Hour Fridays Atlanta, GA 1 Step Above Nancy's Pizza Atlanta, GA Feel Good Fridays @ TJ’s Night Club (Every Friday) 4801 Leigh Drive Raleigh, NC Midwest Region (Green indicates Special Event) Pleasure Productions Zuhrah Shrine Center Minneapolis, MN The Urban Ballroom's Ballroom-Steppers Set Howlin Moon Grand Rapids, MI Holler Back Friday Stepper Sets The Pines Oak Leaf Lounge Forest Park, IL Club D'Elegance (3-G's) 14202 Cottage Grove Ave, Dolton, IL University Gold Club Stepper's Set University Golf Club University Park, IL 50 Yard Line Chicago, IL New East of The Ryan Chicago, IL Club Oasis Waukegan, IL The Family Den Chicago, IL Steppin' At The Studio (Every Monday & Friday) Ferndale, MI Pleasure Productions Zuhrah Shrine Center Minneapolis, MN Steppin' In Riverdale (Every Friday) Eve's Riverdale, IL GI Elite Steppers Productions (Every Friday) The Palace on 5th Gary IN Steppin in Blue and Black DRD Productions (Every 4th Friday) Waukegan, IL Click here for full information on any of these events Click for more information on Today's Special Events If we missed anything, Let us know! we will be happy to add your party just send us an email. [1/30/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News] Steppers Music Choice Survey By Markie Bee Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com Over the last several months, you our readers have submitted your favorite steppers music to our readers choice page. By no means is the list exhaustive or complete. There are many more dusties and there are many more newer songs that could be on the list. I'm sure there will be even more songs on next years list (which will be added to the current list). A few weeks ago, I put together the 2009 Steppers Music Choice Survey. You don't have to register for the survey, and it's completely anonymous. All you have to do is choose from the list of songs the songs you consider to be the best Chicago Style Steppers Music. The list is long but you know which songs you believe to be the best. The survey is there to highlight the consensus of our readers current music choices, and it's completely unscientific. Please take the survey and ask your friends to take the survey too. Click this link to take the survey. Yea, it's time to have some fun with this during a time when everything around us is so deadly serious. Another nice diversion brought to you by SteppersUSA.Com. I don't know why, but when I saw this quote by George Orwell this morning, I had to share "Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it." Sounds like the... Continued SteppersUSA Classifieds: Add Your Classified! 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 History of Stepping Project in any manner, please Send us an email. Recent additions to the History of Stepping Project: 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 Gousters appear on the Chicago Scene Read a Personal Recollection Here SteppersUSA.Com sells 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 webmaster@steppersusa.com TODAY! New Event Additions Most recently Items added to SteppersUSA See Steppers Calendar Page Brew City Steppers Steppin' In The Wilderness 2009 Wilderness Hotel + Golf Resort Wisconsin Dells WI 4Bidden Fruit + TNT Productions The Steppers Zone VFW Post 1293 Waukegan, IL DSN 2nd Sunday Steppers Set Dayton Steppers Network Therapy Cafe Dayton, OH Backyard Boogie Productions Sweet Geogia Browns (Every Wednesday) Country Club Hills IL Capital City Steppers Hampton Inn and Suites-Briar Creek/RDU Airport Raleigh NC Miltown Smooth Steppers 1 Year Anniversary + instructor Appreciation Night Nostalgia Supper Club Milwaukee, WI Big Donnie Productions Greco's American Grill Bolingbrook, IL Black & White Steppers Ball of Las Vegas Wellington Place Las Vegas, NV You 2 + Deja Vu Aquarius Birthday Bash Mr. G's Chicago, IL The Travelers 3rd Anniversary A Platinum + White Affair Ampol Hall Cleveland, OH Ambience 317 Every 3rd Thursday Steppers Set Steppin at 300! Indianapolis, IN The Gentlemen Steppers (Every Thursday) Lakeside Lounge Oakland, CA Tribute to DJ Steve Breeze Brewer Chosen Productions Gentle Persuasion Chicago, IL The Ambiance (Every third Saturday) Stone Mountain GA Workshops Added: T-Dub Dancing Studio Dallas TX The Blue Diamond Ball Walking Workshop Detroit, MI Rhythm + Styling workshop for Followers One More Step Dance Studio Cleveland, OH Celebrating Our Heritage Workshop Lineup Workshops for all levels Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta, GA Contest Added Websites Added www.stepinthebean.com www.miltownsmoothsteppers.webs.com www.lafayettesteps.4t.com Classes Added CCS Steppers Classes A Step to Gold International Ballroom Raleigh, NC Steppin In The Bean Classes With Taqwa Breezeway Bar and Grille Roxbury, MA Touch Of Flare Vince Huckabee + Friends Cleveland, OH Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus Cleveland, OH Artist's Added DJ's Added DJ Vince Dj Silky DJ Rah Today's Featured Set SteppersUSA suggests you visit as many different venues as possible to enhance your knowledge of the dance. Steppin in Blue and Black DRD Productions (Every 4th Friday) Waukegan, IL View Events Details Today's Featured Class SteppersUSA suggests you visit as many different classes as possible to enhance your knowledge of the dance. First N Flyte Steppers Club Inc North Carolina Classes Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park Durham, NC Click Here For More Information We're looking for some help Read more Workshops Workshop Date: Saturday, January 31, 2008 DBJ Productions David Joyce Halftime Bar + Grill 2315 Cooper St. Arlington, TX For more information on these workshops and others click here Contests Next Contest: Recent Updates Just Added Events Special Event	Links Monthly Calendar Special Events Regular Events Workshops Lessons Instructors List Clubs Free Steppers Listings Submit Events Steppers Web Sites
Please note - We can not vouch for the accuracy of the information submitted to www.SteppersUSA.Com You should always check with the venue and or the organization promoting the event to insure the event is happening at the place and time indicated indicated on the web site and this newsletter. All links and content pointing to and from other websites is the property of those respective websites. For more information see our Terms of Service. Do you have comments or suggestions for our newsletter? Send us an email
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]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-30-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 5325EE9B-1165-4E54-99E4-8E5CA7C1F864 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:15:33 -0600
[1/29/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Economy For Stepping?
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
In the 1970's you worried about being laid-off from your job. In the 80's (and part of the 90's) The words were "I'm being downsized" meant you were loosing your job. We've come full circle in the 21st century, an thousands loose their jobs as even the largest corporations fight for their lives after they find the "greed is good" mantra has been proven false. When the hammer fell and globalization was the key word, hundreds of thousands jobs were "outsourced to India". Fast forward to 2009 and the economy has fallen and can't get up.  People are hurting as more loose their jobs as companies are fighting for their existence. The stepping community is feeling the effects of an economy that has been on life support for the last few months and can be evidenced in areas where support for the genre are not as strong as in Chicago. I get reports that indicate this "slide" is happening all of the time in these other regions. Steppers are hurting just like everyone else. What worked six months ago isn't going to work today. Unfortunately for the steppers community, the most visible places to step are usually night clubs and they require people to consume drinks to make the money they need to justify hiring the steppers DJ and promote stepping in their places. As Deborah from Class Act Steppers in Atlanta mentioned in an email not too long ago, "As one of the founders of Class Act Steppers, the first successful... Continued]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-29-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance D18B8F14-5FF4-4017-A07E-6FD666911CDC Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:31:33 -0600
[1/28/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Share Your Comments
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
In yesterdays defined guideline for certification which stated; "The method should enable the learner to effectively synchronize their dance to the beat of the music and maintain synchronization with the music throughout the dance." There probably be a second sentence added which says. "The learner when dancing with a partner should also maintain synchronization with the partner throughout the dance." In an email from Andrew, who has been stepping and bopping since 1964 said, ""The Law of Steppin" is to "Keep in Step!". In my 40 plus years of dance there ain't but one way to start Steppin. But, when a beginner is in a workshop and you dance side by side with your instructor and Steppin is a face to face dance it can get complicated." We're trying to keep it simple as possible while we know how complicated people can make the dance. It would be wonderful if the basics were kept simple. Let the complicated stuff come after the learner gets their basics down. Steppers are a stubborn lot, but they're not stupid. One thing that can help bring everyone together is the certification guideline. It's a small step, but it's a step forward. You may notice a new "button" below the words, "Click Icon To Make A Comment". It's... Continued]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-28-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 642C8DA8-1FF2-4BB1-A644-0A90C48EE780 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:15:49 -0600
[1/27/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Apples Versus Oranges
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
As a quick follow-up to yesterday's article, one of the emails I got mentioned to me that he was an observer of the events in the LA discussion about certification noting that the principals couldn't even agree on how to do the basics. The reason I bring this up is because it's an important point to make. The how isn't the important part... If we had a simple guideline that said something like this... "The method should enable the learner to effectively synchronize their dance to the beat of the music and maintain synchronization with the music throughout the dance."  It doesn't matter if they dance six count, eight count or no count, as long as the method achieves the goal of achieving and maintaining synchronization of the dance with the music. Isn't that what dancing is in it's most basic form? As the stepping public... It needs to be demanded of anyone who teaches the dance, unless you just like throwing your time and money to the wind. No one is telling the instructor how to do anything. The dance however demands it. I've worked with my share of instructors, and none of them... Continued]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-27-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 01644DB5-A870-421B-AF64-DFE3D1628BA0 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:22:16 -0600
[1/26/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Form Versus Style
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
I have a lot to talk about today so I imagine this will be a long (for me) column. I've talked to a few people since the LA King's Dream weekend. This is what I took away after the conversations. First and foremost ... There needs to be one event over the weekend in LA. It's not good for the genre when promoters fight in public. I said it before and I'm saying it again. It does stepping more harm than good when an event is heavily promoted to both the steppers community and the rest of the world and fails to meet the high expectations created by the hype. What do you think outsiders think when they are told about a large event only to see a poor turnout? How exactly does this help the genre? I understand there was a pretty good turnout for the history discussion at Kings Dream, but there was a major disagreement between principals from Chicago concerning certification. As the world probably knows by now SteppersUSA endorses certification of the basics. There should be certification of the basics of the six count and there should be certification of the basics of the eight count. The "heavy hitters" of the dance argued about how to do the basics at the discussion. Come on people basics are basics! A guideline should be established. Note I said guideline not a hard concrete rule but a guideline. When someone wants to apply to the beginners category in a contest like the WLSC, they should have a piece of paper signed by an instructor stating they are able to meet the guideline for doing the basics as of the date they were certified. That means there is some sort of a paper trail. The certification should state when the person received the certification, not when they started stepping lessons etc., just when they were certified to be able to meet the basics guideline. The administration of certification of the instructors shouldn't be that difficult. Agreeing on using a basic pattern seems to be the sticking point, so let's settle that now. The reason instructors use a count is to get the learner to recognize the beat in the music and to be able to synchronize their foot patterns with that beat. This needs to be... Continued
Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards! Last Chance! Ends Today!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-26-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 44058E05-531E-41E5-8577-5318ECEDADB1 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:31:25 -0600
[1/25/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Sunday Roundup
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
In the discussion of the Steppers Cart Parts one and two, spurred comment from Oliver with New York Chicago Style Steppers that seemed to hit on what was touched on spurred by the comments made by Rhonda from Chicago in part two. "Your article of Saturday Jan. 24th edition of your publication reminded of one of my first experiences stepping in CHI. I started stepping with Lessons from James Calvin at Malcolm X in the early 90's.  I remember going to a set at Mr. G's after I had learned the dance. I ask 12 ladies to dance that night before I had one yes. That just isn't right. Stepping is about the love of the dance. We make sure that doesn't happen in our small but growing stepping environment in New York."  Perhaps that's why they say the city is so nice they named it twice. In my experience, I've seen many groups (which start small with lofty and attainable goals) hit that point where growth can outstrip "control" (or should I say the agreement among members to be nice to each other). People are going to be people and that's a social behavior we're discussing here. If it can be changed... Continued
Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards! Last Chance! Ends Monday!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-25-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 6FCEBFDE-10F3-4B09-B670-77E56F14F11A Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:50:12 -0600

[1/24/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Cart Part 2
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Yesterday we went on an imaginary trip to the SteppersMart Super Steppers Store online store and filled our shopping cart with our hypothetical steppers venue. If you'd like a recap take a look at yesterday's article. A couple of suggestions came in as you hit the comments. DJ Mr. "E" had this suggestion, "I would add a variety of Steppin DJs to the different rooms. Old School and New. Also invite new DJs that are just gettin' into steppin." I do like the idea of creating a place for DJ's to learn how to apply their skills (or develop new skills) with the help of some seasoned veteran DJ's. A great DJ can spin both old skool and new skool music and can flow between the two styles seamlessly blending between that sweet 80 to 100 Beat per minute sweet spot "steppers groove". A modern DJ needs to be up to date with the technology and is able to use all of the tools available to them so they can flow from CD's, to Vinyl, to computerized DJ'ing (This is a real point of contention for many DJ's). Being able to do all of these will make you a better DJ. I feel if you are able to use more tools effectively, you will be better at what you do. You will note all of the most popular DJ's in the steppers community started out lugging vinyl. So let's add some DJ's and a training center for Steppers DJ's to our cart. Another email came from Rhonda in Chicago who decided to touch more on those intangibles in the steppers experience, "What I would like to put in my cart is a pleasant greeting from club members and Men asking more women to dance at each set. Actually a smile, a greeting, a nod or Hell, even a dance from anybody at the parties would be nice. LOL!!! I have found that people can be so nasty and rude at times and so unpleasant to one another and that’s really sad. Come on People we come to step and have FUN! Let’s leave our unpleasant attitude and issues at HOME!! Let’s step and have FUN!! LOL!!! And if you are not a regular, forget about IT!! Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the music for the rest of the night, because you are not getting a dance!!! LOL!!! If you are not a familiar face, a regular, or if you don’t look Beyonce” or, if you are not dressed to impressed, or if you are not dress half naked, or if you are not cool, you really are not getting your step ON!!! LOL!! Forget about IT, it isn’t happening!!!! LOL!!! I noticed in the past 30 years of going out to the parties occasionally, that men or women don’t want to be on the floor with someone less than what I just described. You find that Men and women will dance with the same people over and over again and it really gets boring watching them!!! LOL!!! However, women are not as discriminating as men. Men can be azzholez!! LOL!!! Why not Spread happiness to each other and ask other folks to dance once in a while. Give a person a chance, they may surprise you. I know steppers are serious about their craft, but loosen up it’s only a dance. This should be a fun experience for everyone. Let’s not take it too serious. Spread happiness and love, LETS STEP!!!" I've seen exactly what Rhonda mentioned on the dance floor at virtually every event I've ever been to. Of course, the way individuals act really is no different id it's a steppers event or another type of event. If CHANGE is the operative word both men and women must realize it's the 21st century and it should be quite alright to ask anyone to dance regardless of their gender or status. Let's add some mutual understanding and compassion to the cart.
What would you add to our cart at SteppersMart?  Send your ideas and comments to webmaster@steppersusa.com

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards! Last Chance! Ends Monday!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-24-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance AD2D87EE-5877-4B3C-B5A2-A6B12868CABA Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:28:24 -0600

[1/23/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Cart
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
When you visit most online stores, you usually an add to cart feature, and in some cases you see an add to wish list function. The latter has never worked well for me when I visit the "computer geek store online". The former seems to work all too well. If you could imagine the world as a big Chicago style steppers store, (lets call it The SteppersMart Super Steppers Store) what would you buy to make your experience as a stepper complete? Let's see, what would my list be? I'm a real facilities person, so the first thing I would add to my shopping cart would be a place the steppers public could get together, that had "enough" seating as well as "enough" dance floor, and a heating and air conditioning system that worked. Personally, I could care less if the place has a bar (I quit drinking 364 days a year - I do have ONE drink on my birthday), but I know there are plenty of drinkers out there, so let's add a bar that's stocked with the libations and the best always available bartenders that know how to make a drink. There would be several rooms in this place, including somewhere to just sit and chill (I'd call it the sit and chill room) where no one can be "pressured" to get out there and dance. Perhaps a dance studio room where newbies can learn how to do the basics at anytime during the evening from the staff of certified instructors who are as available as the bartenders are. Learning and practicing advanced moves is always done on the main dance floor... That's where the real learning happens (combine that with the scrutiny of the steppers community) anyway. I'd add a sound system that is balanced for the size of the venue and is balanced so you can hear a clear, crisp sound no matter where you are in the location. Oh, how could I forget parking there would be plenty of safe and secure parking monitored by a friendly staff of security guards. Let's add public transportation so those who can't drive won't be shut out. What would you add to our cart at SteppersMart?  Send your ideas and comments to webmaster@steppersusa.com

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-23-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 9B7E401C-5F70-493C-9888-5550AE7C9266 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:23:05 -0600

[1/22/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Video Can of Worms
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
It's going to get harder to post a good stepping video on You Tube. Published reports indicate background audio is being removed from videos on You Tube when the music signature within the video matches copyrighted music submitted by the owner of the music. A couple of major events lead up to this. In 1997 Viacom brought a 1 billion dollar lawsuit against You Tube prompting the company to start removing videos Identified as violating copyright's (using AudibleMagic’s filtering technology). This practice continued until last week when You Tube started using their new content management tools. While they still scan for video copyright infringement, they now also scan for audio copyright violations and mute the offending video. The action is supposed to be pre-cursory to legal action against You Tube (and possibly video posters). According to the You Tube blog, the You Tube Team said, "Previously, when a music label or other rights owner issued a copyright claim to block audio, the video was automatically taken down. Uploaders had two choices: dispute the claim (in the case of fair use, for example) or use our AudioSwap tool to replace the track with one from our library of pre-cleared music. Now we've added an additional choice. Instead of automatically removing the video from YouTube, we give users the option to modify the video by removing the music subject to the copyright claim and post the new version, and many of them are taking that option." Music and dance are inseparable, so there may be a case for fair use, but after observing the music industry since the beginning of the whole internet evolutions beginning, I have doubts as to it's chances of success. I'm all for everyone getting their fair share, but isn't dancing to a song a form of advertising for that song? Doesn't the song owner benefit from the sales of the music when dancers want the same music to dance to (assuming they go and purchase music instead of getting pirate copies)? To be honest, I haven't tried the audio swap tool because I doubt it's capability to properly match beats so the dancers appear to be dancing on beat in the video. Even with the proper tools on your computer, it can be difficult to match beats with the dancers with a different song. Perhaps one saving grace for steppers videos might just be the remix. When a song gets remixed the issue of digital rights moves to the responsibility of the DJ who does the remix. If a song is mixed "enough" with other songs, it will create a new digital signature which won't be able to be matched with the original because it's a new composition. No matter how you look at it it's going to be more difficult for us to showcase Chicago Style Stepping without being labeled as a thief by the music industry. Everybody wants to get paid, and they should be. but perhaps this issue needs to take in account what fair use is. No matter how you look at it the copyright holder has the winning hand. The music industry has made it clear there really is no fair use scenario it is willing to accept. Steppers share music, we all know that. It's not legal. We know that. It's like putting a piece of lawn furniture in the spot you shoveled out in Chicago to save your space, it's not legal, but everyone does it. Hmmmm. Generally, it (music sharing) isn't done in public, but posting a video with music in it is really no different so we end up paying the price. The more video you upload with copyrighted music, the more likely your chances of getting it muted and getting a registered letter from an attorney informing you of a lawsuit against you. We might just need to find another way. Support those Indie artists! Independent label music may just be the way to go, but they need to get paid too. In the end it's just another sign for the steppers community to get in line with the rest of the entertainment world. Many won't like it, but that's called change too.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-22-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance E2B2DDC8-DAE4-441D-AD58-078EC7ACB85E Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:06:47 -0600

[1/21/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Unity - Try It
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Can the steppers community say "Yes We Can" and really mean it? Can the generations come together and make this work? The reports of division were apparent from those I've heard after the "Kings Dream" weekend. Talk like, "The Los Angeles steppers community isn't big enough to handle two "large scale" events at the same time." seem to imply there are elements that don't want the community to thrive. Is this true? I don't know, but I'm sure the stories will be as varied as those telling their version of how it was when they were there. It's that constant undercurrent of finding what's wrong, putting it in the spotlight, then not doing anything to fix it, so the divisiveness remains. One of the things said during his Inauguration speech (concerning programs that work and those which don't) President Obama said (paraphrasing), If it works, we'll keep it, and if it doesn't work we'll get rid of it and find something that will work. Why can't we do the same thing in the steppers community? Why do we have to do the same old way just because that's how it's been done forever? What would happen if we actually, collectively decided we want to cast off the things that have been holding this community back and work together? It's no different than the challenge offered to the American people to get involved. Yesterday. Lester Holt, on NBC said, "Never in history has the American public come together in unity without the specter of war or an event like 911. I find the tears welling up with this sight." Like the country, the community has it's "political divisions"... Why can't we pursue the same lofty goals... It's not one of us, it's all of us. Perhaps we can take a lesson from ourselves, the American People... Unity works.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-21-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 332F354E-2C54-4A90-9F63-CD276D0D416B Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:53:24 -0600

[1/20/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Hail To The Chief
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today marks that point in history we've been waiting for. Contrary to what many will say, it (the culmination of the election process with the inauguration) signals not as much a racial change (although it does in the biggest way) as a generational change watershed moment and a place in history where the world can say that's what a free country is all about (the hopes and dreams of the people being fulfilled). Just like Chicago style stepping, Barack Obama honed his people skills (just like steppers developed their dancing skills) in the neighborhoods of Chicago and was later presented to the country and the world. He's cool and ready to do the job, just like Chicago style stepping is cool and ready to take the spotlight. The amount of pride by the African American community in Barack Obama is tremendous and should be celebrated and shared with all of America. Just like the dance we know and love should be celebrated and shared with all of America. The country has been deeply divided for many years now... So has the steppers community. The hope is our new president can be a uniting force in this country as well as with the rest of the world. He is not the one who will bring real change, he can be the one who convinces us as Americans that we can make change. Isn't the same true in our dance community?  There is great hope that will be realized which first were dreamed more than 200 years ago. The spirits of all of our forbearers will be in Washington DC at noon today with us as we watch in person or on TV when Barack Obama takes the oath of office and becomes the 44th President of the United States. Godspeed Mr. President. The hard work is ahead... For ALL of us. The optimism is overwhelming in this country right now. Can we do this? Yes! We Can! Now, can we have some stepping in the White House?

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-20-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance AAF09ABB-514B-44AD-965F-A04ECDFC9D00 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:41:20 -0600

[1/19/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Long Weekend Continues
By Markie Bee
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Yesterday when I called for word about the Kings Dream Steppers Weekend, and said, "so I'll rely on others to get the word to me so I can get it to you. Any help would be appreciated." I got a couple of disturbing emails about the event. I'm not going to rabble rouse based on these reports for a few reasons. First, if there is a problem, I'll hear from lots of people. Second, the person had the option to send me an email address when making their report, but chose to send it without a way for me to contact them. I have no problem withholding an email address from publication, but I will not publish a completely anonymous unsubstantiated report. It's that simple. Write blogs, or send reports to me so I can contact you. If you enjoyed the weekend or if you didn't... it all matters but it can't be vapor. I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say. The long steppers weekend continues. With the festivities in full swing in DC now, BarelyPolitical.Com has come out with a brand new Obama Girl Video on You Tube where she and Barack sing a duet. It's "cute", funny, and well, you decide. Hopefully you do know we use the term Democracy to describe our form of government, but that's not exactly true. There are no mentions of the word democracy in the constitution. There are no mentions of the word democracy in the pledge of allegiance. Now as we begin a new era, is a great time to think about the cornerstones of our form of government. This video breaks down the facts in a non-political, matter of fact way. Just stuff to think about at this important place in the history of our country as we observe the inauguration and listen to Barack's address.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-19-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 42CF2EA5-BF76-409E-9EF7-EDF9760A478E Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:20:24 -0600

[1/18/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Long Weekend
By Markie Bee
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Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
No one has informed me of any blog posts or any other information about how things are going in Los Angeles during the long Kings Dream Steppers Weekend, so I'll rely on others to get the word to me so I can get it to you. Any help would be appreciated. Over the last couple of weeks, I've been hard at work for a new client developing his new online store. We launched the site yesterday. The store features Glass Art, Accessories, and Novelties. For those of you who are old enough to remember the "Head Shops" of the 60's and 70's, that's what the products are reminiscent of. Looking for a Hookah, a "hot box", or a water pipe? www.Cloud9Emporium.Com is the place for you. There's even a free membership program that gets you a 20% discount. You have to be over 18 to enter the store and if you live in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Pennsylvania, products can't be shipped to you because of laws in those states. Hey! Do what you want with your time! Everything that is happening in the steppers community and the country in general is mind boggling. Truly coast to coast major events  from Kings dream on the west coast, to the beginning of it's realization on the east coast, and all of the parties celebrating both everywhere in between. The news is Barack Obama all the time as the historic inaugural weekend gets kicked off as the president-elect followed Abraham Lincolns' path to his inauguration on a whistle-stop tour to DC. Have you seen the Indonesian man who has an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Obama? I haven't been able to find a photo on the web, but I've seen him on TV and he looks just like him. I'm waiting for the stroke of noon on Tuesday when he becomes the president and a new era begins. I want to see Stepping at the White House!

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-18-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance F4C49346-B2C1-4AB9-9A3C-30616A542FAD Sun, 18 Jan 2009 10:40:30 -0600

[1/17/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
More Inauguration Stuff
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
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According to a published report yesterday on Chistepper.com and the published guest list on www.44windsofchange.com, indicate Hillary Clinton will attend what is described as a "Steppers Party in D. C. during inauguration week". According to the www.44windsofchange.com description of the event it's "A gospel and musical brunch featuring Grammy Award winner Albertina Walker "Queen of Gospel" in the Corcoran Ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel on January 18th - Route “44” musical brunch will include jazz, gospel and African performances. Your company has an opportunity to sponsor this exciting Inaugural Celebration Musical Brunch at the only, Five Star Hotel in Washington, the Four Seasons at 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.. Sponsorship opportunities range from $2,500 to $25,000 . Individual tickets are $250.00." Herb Kent is listed on the entertainment page of the site. I attempted to contact Herb, but he hasn't returned my call yet. As a side note; It's funny because right after I got back from my trip to Baltimore, I was talking to Herb about the enthusiasm people out east have for Chicago Style Stepping. Beside Clinton, Congressman John Lewis, President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , Washington DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty are all listed on their website as confirmed. Meanwhile here in the real world of steppers where people complain about tickets that cost more than a penny... The weekend continues because it is what it is! There needs to be a shot of the Obama's Stepping. get your Tivo, TVR, VCR's ready to record! The Dance extravaganza continues today with the workshops and the dance events tonight. Of course all of the other events around the country are listed below.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-17-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 7990D333-10AE-4799-A1AF-1CC03BD36FB3 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:48:24 -0600

[1/16/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Not Home Alone
By Markie Bee
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Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
As many steppers head to or are already in Los Angeles for the MLK weekend dance extravaganza, the question pops into mind (as the master of the obvious), what about the thousands who aren't attending that big bash?  The calendar page shows there's the usual list of events for the weekend on a local level. Things don't stop anymore when there's a big event. So some of the "heavy hitters" might be missing, but there are many more people stepping these days in the Chicago style steppers universe. There are those who won't travel for whatever reason... With the "Bush economy", many can't afford to make the trip. Over all, it's a real testament to you and those who have chosen to support and promote the dance no matter where you are or how you support. There are tons of events happening all over the country so you don't have to be home alone wishing you could go out stepping. Here in Chicago, as the temperature returns to a more normal wintertime ice box range from the super cold we have been experiencing recently, people might even come out over the weekend (I bet those in California are really enjoying and appreciating that warm weather)! No matter where you are, just about every steppers venue seems to have something planned for the presidential inauguration weekend. There are plenty opportunities to be out with friends to celebrate from the early to the late hours. It creates a great way to introduce someone to stepping too! Personally, I'm going to watch the historic event at home on television as I work on ongoing projects (As long as the tears of joy don't interfere). I was reviewing the numbers this morning and plenty of you are visiting the site to see what is happening. Yesterday saw the second largest spike in visitors this young year to SteppersUSA (frankly, I expected a downturn yesterday but you proved me wrong... Thanks for making me wrong!).
With all the news being so negative in the rest of the world it's wonderful to see two things happen in the news yesterday. The first was Bush making his farewell address (It's about over... YES!). The second was the textbook emergency landing of that aircraft in New York where no one was hurt! From now on if I fly, I want that pilot! I know a camera out there had to catch the emergency landing on the Hudson as it happened. I can't wait to see the footage (someone's probably negotiating big money for it).

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-16-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 25E91353-F37E-4923-9C01-1EB188BDFC58 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:20 -0600

[1/15/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Stepping Email Time!
By Markie Bee
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Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
I get lots of emails, so I thought now, as the Steppin' to Kings Dream extravaganza gets off the ground (and many of our readers are headed to LA, It's time to publish a few of them.
Anthony writes: At Some Given Point & Time, Are There Plans In The Works To Start Production Of Steppers Sampler Music CDs Based Off Of The Readers Favorites? I Think This Would Be A Hit For Both Sides.
Markie Bee: I wish I had the time and the digital rights to do that one. Perhaps there's a DJ out there who would like to partner with SteppersUSA on that project... Especially after we run the survey for the top choices from all of those songs in the list.
DJ Mark Mellow-D from Las Vegas, Nevada wants us to know he spins at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino on Thursday night from 9pm as he does a Live radio broadcast on power 88.1fm. You can listen live on www.power88lv.com .
Freda Jenkins is promoting the Blue Diamond Ball in Detroit and wants you to know that After dancing all day and all night Saturday, chances are your feet will ache, hurt, or be a bit sore. Therefore as a courtesy to our guests, We are providing FREE Foot Massages. Our massage therapist will be available from 12:30 a.m. during the Main Event until 3:30 a.m. during Twine Time. Her web site is www.thebdball.com. One word of warning, you will need lots of time for the site to load. There's lots of java running on the site and that makes it s-l-o-w.
Our buddy Bop Daddy wanted to share some of his views on the history of the dance, and this is what he wrote: Chic Rick's was the ultimate dance palace of its day. Located at 24th & Michigan Steppers came from across the city, on Thursday night, to this dance hot spot. This is the place where Steppin made its transition from Bop. The song, Hot Butterfly with Luther was the #1 song at the time. One-night a fateful event occurred to me that will forever change Steppin. Me and my girlfriend showed-up late. Me and E had just order our drinks and decided to leave after we finished. A few moment later a short young man walks in and comes over and asked "can I dance with her? I nodded and said, "yeah." So he took to the dance floor and began moving around the room. He wasn't Steppin or Boppin, it was more like a James Brown moving around the large Rick House dance floor. I began to think and said to myself, Huh! I can Stepp like that!! He the song ended and he escorted her back to her seat, I said, "what your name?" He a low voice he said, "Prince". I looked and said, "Oh, Yeah!" He had a slight beard but I recognized it was him. That is when I started Ballroom Steppin. When you Stepp around the floor. There is only one twist that I make, I don't Stepp around the edge of the dance floor I Stepp thru the dance floor. I was going to a Set on the Westside called Divinci Manor, the Tom Cats gave that Set. The people their were so friendly and they made you feel right at home every Friday night. And when I developed Ballroom Steppin when I got to the Set I could Step around the room and speak to everybody. As R. Kelley mentions in his song, Step in the Name of Love. This was in '90 or '91 because me and E were in the first Stepper's contest. Our girl Dimples and Marzette won that year. When I find that video I'll send it to ya', I produced the first video of the Stepper's contest. I paid my uncle to video tape the event, he had just signed up for a new venue called Ch 19 or CANTV.
Best thoughts and wishes, Bopdaddy, King of Bop.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-15-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance EE04949F-DD28-4324-95B5-057353535B6A Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:51:16 -0600

[1/14/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Stepping's Social Networking
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
One of the things SteppersUSA has tried in the past (actually from it's beginnings) was different forms of "social networking" between it's users. The site originally started as a discussion board with an events calendar, and it worked for a while, but it came nowhere close to the vision for the site. A server crash and corrupted backup files created the opportunity to change the site into the beginnings of what you see today. Those of you who were around a few years ago, may remember when we attempted to install and use a blogging system. It ended up being riddled with spam and serving very little useful purpose for the steppers community, so it was eliminated. Not that I'm a fatalist, but multiple emails (and a mention in a newsletter) on the subject over the last month got me to thinking, how can SteppersUSA involve it's users without the pain of either a message board or blogs within the domain? Like most good things, the answer is in it's simplicity. One of the tools you may have seen being added to the pages on SteppersUSA is a "sharing button." With this button you can do a variety of things, from posting to most of your favorite social networking sites, to bookmarking a page, to shooting off a quick email off to someone about something you find on SteppersUSA (see the full list below). Everything from the ever increasingly popular twitter, to facebook, MySpace, Yahoo Buzz, and My AOL. Want to do some self promotion for your class or event? Using Digg, Delicious, or Blogmarks will point to your listing or a column written about the class or event. Of course you have to have an account with the social networking sites to post anything, but most people already do. As am matter of fact most people who really get into blogging probably have this button (or one like it), so they know the value of this button and connecting to those who share their interest's. Please send us an email if you blog about SteppersUSA, or one of it's features. We might just feature your blog entry in this column! (With the Kings Dream weekend coming up starting tomorrow and the Dream Steppers starting today, here's a great chance to blog or twitter)!

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!

Tags
Stepping's Social Networking



The full list of available connections from within the share button]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-14-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 90E68761-9F0C-446A-8511-B7C202BE0354 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:05:07 -0600

[1/13/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Stepping's Got Class
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Send The Best Stepping Photos: BestPhotos@steppersusa.com
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
There seem to be as many training methodologies at work in the Chicago style steppers community as there are instructors. Now, those of you who read my column regularly are thinking, "Here he goes again about certification" but they would be wrong this time. I want to focus more on the differences in how different instructors format their lessons for the public by highlighting some instruction programs I read and or hear about. the goal or "message in today's column isn't presented as publicity for a class (as you will see in future columns on this subject), but an effort to show how others are teaching and how some of these methods may enhance the experience for students and instructors alike. As you know SteppersUSA offers a daily featured class from our list of classes around the country in our daily newsletter and later on the main page of the web site. The lesson I'm going to feature in the column today is the NC Steppers Association. Like some of the teaching organizations across the country, they teach in defined "class courses" with breaks in between. Let's look at the text of the email I got yesterday as part of my subscription to their newsletter (It's just the text, the photos and fancy type have been removed for the sake of the size of the daily newsletter) but you can see the newsletter here on the site...
NC Steppers Association
Bistro and Coffee at the Summit (formerly Coffee at the Summit)
623 Summit Ave, Greensboro NC
Warm up and refresher classes Thursday, January 15
6:30-7pm Dinner and Fellowship
7-9pm Refresher class & dancing
8-9pm Meet the Instructors Registration for: Beginning Stepper's class Guest Instructor Line Dance and Stepping Workshops
$10 for members and students $15 for non members and students
RSVP by noon Wednesday, Jan. 14
Going to steppers class really is a social affair and you can see the NC Steppers Association is taking full advantage of that fact. You'll notice they have a membership which gets them some discounts. Now, I'm fully aware many steppers instructors wear multiple hats as teachers as well as promoters, and in some locations, this is really the only chance people can practice on the dance floor. Having a dinner before the class is a great way of getting people to the class on time, so I can see the benefit right away. It's a good mix and should, in time create bonds which should benefit all not only in developing camaraderie, but also lays the groundwork for the growth of the dance.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-13-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 9FE4626B-4F87-40EE-9159-5C531C57412F Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:53:15 -0600

[1/12/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
It's Not Daddy's January
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Not so many years ago, the middle of January was the "slowest" part of the year for Chicago style steppers. There was plenty of good reason for that too. Before stepping gained any type of a national foothold, 99.99 percent of everything related to stepping happened in Chicago, and you know it's dead in the middle of what is usually the worst part of winter (On January 18, 2008, Chicago was just 14 degrees warmer than the South Pole). There's more snow, and more cold than anyone really needs this time of the year, every year without fail (I remember the January 26, 1967 26inch snowstorm). Who wants to go outside in wind chills of a billion degrees below zero in a blizzard? No one wants to leave the house and warmth the furnace provides without a really good reason. Of course there were a few hardy souls that made it to the clubs, but they were few. As stepping became more popular nationally in recent years, people had excuses to leave the city... Especially for the warmer regions of the country to step (and warm their bones). Four years ago, in Los Angeles, the Steppin' to Kings Dream weekend kicked off, and I still (kind of) remember one of the advertising tags they used, It went something like this, Come to sunny, warm Los Angeles and get your step on... etc. Ever since, the Kings Dream weekend has been pretty much the mid-winter getaway to go stepping for most of the country. Of course this year there's the added attraction of the presidential inauguration in Washington DC as millions will flock to the capital to celebrate Barack Obama's becoming the 44th president of the United States. There will be stepping there, as well as inauguration parties all over the country, just look at the monthly calendar.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-12-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 54CD9020-1FB5-45BB-A2D6-8E23104271D3 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:21:41 -0600

[1/10/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Killer Diller
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com

_________________________________________________________________________________
I messed up yesterday and gave you the wrong link for the 2008 Best Photo winner, so here's the correct link: 2008 Best Photos Choice page. I was out of the office yesterday so I couldn't fix it until late after getting around 100 emails - Sorry! You'll notice I've added the email address at the top (under the By Line) for those who find photos they want to submit for the 2009 Best Photo. It will be there all of the time.
_________________________________________________________________________________

One of the things I haven't talked about recently (and I know I should) is the feature I call Killer Tips. For those of you who haven't seen this feature, let me elaborate. Do you remember when you first started stepping when someone told you to "try doing this", and you tried the persons "tip" and it helped you to put together an important element of your dance? That tidbit of information was as "they say", really killer! If that individual didn't share their knowledge who is to say where your dance might be today. So now that you know what a Killer Tip is, please help us help other steppers by sharing what you have learned. It doesn't necessarily have to be a beginners tip. It doesn't have to be elaborate or complicated... It just has to be something you learned along the way that helped you to bring your game up. For example here's a tip Submitted By Ms. Cynthia, "Powder on the dance floor does help with the turns and all that. But at the end of the night, your shoes and for some women, your legs have powder all on them. Some club owners don't want you to put powder on their floor because if someone slips and falls guess who will be sued??? So LC and Charlette suggested to me packing tape. That's right you put that clear packing tape on the bottom of your shoe and you will spin like a top. I know because I have some in my Steppin' Bag. (LOL)." Here's a short but to the point tip  submitted by Jay, "Only dance to the music you feel." The dance is all about sharing, so why not share your knowledge with your fellow steppers? Send your Tips to killertips@steppersusa.com. There's also a section for those who would like to create video Killer Tips. Can you record a STEPPERS KILLER TIP on video? If so, send your video to us and we will publish it on the Video Tips pages. If you're in the Chicago area and want to record a 2 to 3 minute video tip, but don't have a video camera, contact us and we can record your tip! You can also do an audio Killer Tip or even photos of killer tips just send an email to killertips@steppersusa.com.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-10-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 27492847-505A-44D9-B165-52AD29E009A5 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:58:04 -0600

[1/9/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
2008 Top Photos
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
You've made your decision and the best photo of 2008 has been selected to see which photo took top honors for 2008, visit the 2008 Best Photos Choice page. The photo you chose will be used in the promotion for the 2009 Best Photos Choice. Thank you to everyone who choose to participate. Hopefully we will be able to (with your help) create an even better selection of Chicago Style steppers photos to choose from. This years Best Photos Choice will be done a bit differently. Here's the plan... We are looking for photos that depict the dance as best portrayed in a photograph. The location is unimportant, it can be in a club, or a competition, a class, a wedding, or on the street. Unlike the modern news organizations where they choose to display low quality, poorly composed photos and videos, we want you to post the best in quality and composed photos you have seen or taken yourself. I've created a special email address for you to submit your photos to SteppersUSA.Com and it's mentioned below...
1. No portrait or posed photos.
2. Please give credit to the site or the photographer.
3. Please include your name so you can take credit for finding the photo.
4. The photo must have been taken in the current year.
5. The photo must depict Chicago Style steppers while they are stepping.
6. Email the photo to BestPhotos@steppersusa.com. The photo will be posted in a special section on SteppersUSA.Com.
Photos will be accepted until December 1 of the current year. After December 1 the photos collected during the year will be placed in a display album for side by side comparison where you will have the opportunity to choose what you feel is the best photo to depict Chicago Style steppers stepping. Hopefully, this will create a fair and exciting showcase for the Chicago Style steppers community.
Speaking of photos, If you send a link to a photo gallery on your website, SteppersUSA.Com will post that link in the photos section to that gallery, giving the gallery the exposure to our visitors.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-9-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 5729335B-9D53-4BC2-81A5-B5F6ECA18DDE Fri, 9 Jan 2009 10:22:56 -0600

[1/8/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Do You Love Stepping?
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
What makes people love Chicago Style Stepping? Have you ever asked yourself that question? People in Chicago have held on to this dance through periods when "couples dance" wasn't popular, Through seven presidents of the United States, and soon the eighth. When people relocate across the country, they take their culture with them and that includes dance. I was reminded of that in a couple of emails I got in the last few days. But it goes even deeper than that, because it's not only people moving around the country that spreads stepping to places other than the windy city. Instructor/stepping evangelists  crisscross the country in search of a new place to not only make a buck, but to spread the word about Chicago style stepping everywhere they go. You love the dance so much you travel across the country to big events to do something you could do at home... dance. It truly is love, it's a feeling, it's a connection with others through an elegant dance. The dance is love and sharing in it's purist form. When we get really good at stepping, we use that emotion and it shows in the dance... That's a big part that makes you a great stepper. We fall in and out of love with the dance, just like we fall in and out of love with each other. Some just loose interest, while others become interested and fall in love with another. There are those who have been stepping for many, many years... just like that couple who celebrate that golden anniversary. Just like love, stepping sees no barriers. You can see the bank executive stepping with a postal worker or a construction worker dancing with a business owner. When we are in love we have arguments and disagreements, and so do Chicago style steppers. When you're really in love you want to shout it from the rooftops, if you're a stepper, you (or have you tried) to get everyone you know to learn how to step? Do you wear one of those I Heart Steppin' tee shirts? What makes people love Chicago Style Stepping? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-8-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance F93F9064-307A-48D6-92FB-381B4AB1AB4C Thu, 8 Jan 2009 07:26:56 -0600

[1/7/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Oops! There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Remember the song from your childhood? It's called "High Hopes" and part of the lyrics are, "Anyone knows an ant can't Move a rubber tree plant" Well, we all know the moral of the story in the song, as Barack Obama said, "Yes We Can". With a bad economy it gets harder and harder to do what needs to be done to grow and perpetuate Chicago style stepping. Now, our sick economy has claimed yet another club. This time it's the 50 Yard Line in Baton Rouge LA that went belly up forcing The Touch of Class Steppers to find a new home. True to the song's moral, they are temporarily at the Charcoal Lounge as they look for a full time home. It appears there aren't any more MAK3 lessons or events in New York City. I was told about this a couple of days ago, and have been trying to get independent confirmation after my email to MAK3 in NY has not been replied to. That leaves only one steppers organization in New York City, The New York Chicago Style Steppers (NYCSS) who do have classes on Fridays in Harlem At the Zip Code Lounge. Until they re-submit their class, I've removed MAK3's NYC Class form our class listing. New York is a real big rubber tree plant! It looks like David Joyce of DBJ Productions is on the move once again. It appears he's back in Texas and promoting Chicago style stepping in Arlington with a workshop and some classes. In the last year I've seen this guy move around from Rockford, IL, to Dallas, TX, to North Carolina, back to Rockford, and now back to Texas! He's just a regular "Johnny Stepperseed."  It's got to be hard to move so often with the economy in the toilet... But he's moving that rubber tree plant despite the odds.
During a conversation yesterday with Pete Frazier, he asked me if I was going to Los Angeles next week. I gave him my standard reply... I only go out of town if someone sponsors me and includes travel, room and board. He responded by saying, "Let me find out if we can get you to this event. I'll make some calls. I'll talk to you tomorrow about it." So there's a possibility I may go to LA LA Land for the Kings Dream Extravaganza's and doing some live reports and taping some interviews. In this economy I'm not holding my breath ... It would be interesting to see what the attendance will be like considering what everyone is saying the worst is yet to come with the economy. I'm not trying to be a "chicken little", it hurts me just as bad (perhaps even worse considering I work for myself) as anyone else, but this is shaping up to be the worst "recession" since the great depression. We all need to work together and spend, but how do you spend when you don't have any money (like me)? I feel like that silly old ram Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam No one could make that ram scram He kept buttin' that dam. Because (Join in on the chorus)...
{'cause he had hi-i-igh hopes, he had hi-i-igh hopes}
{He had high apple pi-i-ie-in-the-sk-y-y hopes}
So, any time your feelin' bad, 'stead of feelin' sad, just remember that ram
Oops, there goes a billion-kilowatt dam
(Oops, there goes a billion-kilowatt dam)
{Oops, there goes a billion-kilowatt dam }

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-7-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 2BC19EE6-E63D-40FB-AD9E-AFF67F1A4EBD Wed, 7 Jan 2009 06:43:43 -0600

[1/6/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Talk
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
At the New Years Party at Marmond Grand I took a few minutes from shooting photos and had a short discussion with K'Jon bout the song he sent out a while back. I asked him when he was going to send something for the steppers. He said he had a couple of songs up his sleeve. Yesterday I got a couple versions of a new "sneak peek" of a song called "Get Down (Dancing Shoes Remix)" one with rap, one without. I feel the song is too fast for many of the "Old Skool" steppers, but I've seen the "New Skoolers" dance to songs that are just as fast. Listen to the song and tell us if you would step to this. The song reminds me of another song, but I just can't pin it down right now. I've been getting emails about the latest steppers certification column. If I didn't respond to you directly, sorry, but I've been pretty busy. One thing I am working on personally this year is to "bite my tongue" instead of responding to both positive and negative emails off the top as I've been doing for time in memorial. Change is the word in 2009 and I feel that should go for the steppers community too regarding certification of the basics (both 6 and 8 count). On Friday the voting will end for the best photo of 2008, so If you haven't made a choice from those listed, time is running out. Click the blue banner below to vote. Don't forget to support the National Steppers Steppin' Under the Picasso if you're in Chicago today.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-6-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 1ACF3303-0F81-4DF1-9326-707F49A5DB6D Tue, 6 Jan 2009 07:55:18 -0600

[1/5/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Certify Us Already!
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
">In keeping with my own personal resolution for 2009, I'm going to talk even more about certification. Why you ask? Because it's something we need in the Chicago style steppers community to be recognized by the rest of the world at - large. In the last year, I have written many articles about steppers instructor certification. In June last year, I ran a poll asking, "Do you feel an instructors certification program is necessary for the future of the dance?" In that poll over 500 readers participated and over 60% of the readers answered, "Yes - If we want stepping to be recognized as a National Dance Art Form." That's a percentage that matches Barack Obama's national numbers on election day. OK, the people want their instructors to be certified, and the rest of the world would like to see certified training. So why is this taking so long to happen? Why is the path to truly legitimate training so difficult to navigate? Why is it so difficult for "Joe Stepper" to get the proper uniform basic training they they need as the foundation of the dance? The answer is politics. plain and simple. A legitimate steppers instructor (it would seem) would jump at the opportunity to make more money by being able to advertise to the world that their basics training methods are uniform and certified as a standard recognized by the industry. The fact of the matter is many instructors don't want to take that step to real legitimacy as defined above. The attitude needs to change but the fear that some type of lack of control (the big fish in a small pond comes to mind) is one type of political barrier some instructors place in front of certification. A second barrier is yet another attitude which slows the potential of certification. "I've been teaching stepping for XX years, nobody can tell me how to teach." Just to put this in perspective, it's like the 40 year old employee in the company setting who says to their co-workers, "I've been working here for XX years. They bring in a new boss and they've been in the business less time than me. Why should I do what they say?" The answer is simple in both cases. It's the job, it's your work and things change. You must change with the times or you'll get left behind! If you have ideas on how to make universal steppers instructors certification a reality please send an email to SteppersUSA.Com More to come!

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-5-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance C288A97F-6F3B-4A75-80CF-B79291895BEE Mon, 5 Jan 2009 09:15:40 -0600

[1/4/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
More To Look At
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Taking the Christmas holiday  off was so regenerative for me. I've been doing so much this weekend bouncing from task to task... It just feels good! I managed to upload a couple more clips to You Tube from the 2007 3-G's contest, one with Feo and Candace and one with Carlos and Bendetta. They look great in Hi Def! It takes longer to process them, but the quality is excellent when you look at them in High Definition mode on You Tube. If you want to see some vintage film clips of the Lindy Hop and precursors of the West Coast Swing, DC Hand Dancing, Chicago Steppin, Swing Out and so many of the dances that played a part in making stepping as we know it what it is... If you hurry, because I know it's copyrighted material and will eventually be removed from You Tube, take a look at the clips here. There are six clips there right now. I finally completed the music survey but I'm going to wait before I launch it. It's not a long survey but there are a lot of choices in it. It will be the first of two surveys about your choices in music to step to. I'll explain when it's time to start the survey. I did upload the photos from New Years at the Marmond Grand. Never did get any video... Ugh! My Canon Flash just isn't recovering from the splash it got when I was at Willow Brook so I have to send it in for a cleaning.. so I am going to be using my ancient Vivitar 285 flash for the time being. I'll test it today at Sunshine's Cycle 9's class graduation where I'll be shooting video at the Red Pepper Lounge in the afternoon and evening.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-4-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 27B8D9AF-FA65-429B-BA6D-47246908395E Sun, 4 Jan 2009 08:43:56 -0600

[1/2/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
New Years Resolution
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Since it's the start of the new year, it's time to review what we do on SteppersUSA and how you can help us. We, (as you know) are focused on Chicago style steppers events locally and nationally. The biggest problem we have is in the information gathering process. That's where you can help (Perhaps you can make it a new years resolution). We are in Chicago, and the majority of our readers come from places other than Chicago. Our readers know where their local spots are. You are the first to know when a new place for steppers opens. You are the first ones to know when a place closes. I mentioned to a reader in a recent email conversation about how current the daily listings are. I said, "If there are events that are incorrect, please let us know which ones are wrong so we can share with our readers. When a set ends, the promoters don't always let us know." We get our information from the web, promoters, and of course, our readers. SteppersUSA is asking you to do the same... Keeping us in the loop keeps all of our readers in the loop. As always, we want to know about the new sets and events (It doesn't matter if the event is daily, weekly, monthly or a one-time party), but we also want to be able to remove locations that no longer exist or are no longer doing stepping (you can use the events submission tool to do this). Information that seems to change even more often than events are the steppers lessons and workshops listings. If a class starts or ends please let us know. Some instructors just aren't "web aware" enough to submit their own classes, but if you are learning and want to share that class information, please let us know. If there's a steppers workshop coming up just click here to let us know. As in all cases, SteppersUSA can't vouch for the accuracy of the information in the listings and we suggest you contact the venue before going to verify. With your help, we can keep the listings even more current than they have been.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!

]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-2-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 329AA186-B114-4519-8FA2-75F5A5DD278A Fri, 2 Jan 2009 05:01:40 -0600

[1/1/2009 SteppersUSA Daily News]
2009 Predictions
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
It's time to visit my favorite local Gypsy reader/fortune teller, and part time stock market analyst, Mama Czenee for some predictions for 2009. Just like last year, I walked into the darkened room and had a seat at the table when the old lady came into the room. I was (kinda) amazed when she said, "So you want to know what the future holds for the steppers community in 2009?" Now, logic told me that she remembered me from last year... When I also realized I was wearing my University of Steppin'  tee shirt. Let's see if she will share some secrets of the future like she did last year. I watched as she consulted the crystal ball. She stops and looks up at me. "So you thought last years worlds largest was too long do you?" I stuttered out a, "yes." She laughed and said, "Expect MORE in 2009." I asked "even longer than last year?" She looked me in the eye and said, I said, expect MORE in 2009. You can expect the out of towner's to become more in 2009, as their rise will continue." I decided to ask her if she thought the ailing economy would continue to affect stepping as it has in the second half of 2008. "Steppers will still save money to go to the established big parties, but the newer ones shouldn't depend on people traveling to support their parties." What about all of the rumors and stories about new steppers movies or movies about steppers? She consulted the crystal ball for what seemed a long time and finally looked up and said, "The spirits won't tell me right now, perhaps if you come back in a couple of months." Perhaps I will.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2009/1/1-1-2009.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance C5CAF125-9008-4DE7-9D5F-3E4735F92F2E Thu, 1 Jan 2009 05:34:48 -0600

[12/31/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
The Last Article of 2008
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here or Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
As 2008 draws to a close, I find myself doing so much to clean up those loose ends, I'm happy I completed and published the year end wrap-up yesterday. For those who missed it, it's called, That Was The Year 2008. On the bright side this is the last article of 2008! I already know I'm not going to get much more done today, even though I'm building an online store for a new client, that has to be put on hold for tonight's New Years party at the Marmond Grand. There's lot's of video to shoot and I need some rest before I go there. Last weekend Mellow Khris and I worked a private birthday party. It wasn't anything really special (except for the people attending), but I bring this up for a reason... There was one couple (of many) that were stepping... They were stepping as good as any finalist I've seen in the WLSC. I've never seen them before... They were young but they were old skool stepping (real freestyle like Ty Skippy, but with more energy). I've said this to friends before... I really think the best steppers in Chicago are hardly ever seen in clubs or competitions (which in one way is sort of sad). It's a pleasure to see pure dancers enjoying themselves. More people really need to dance for self enjoyment and forget about the "social pressures" presented in the stepping community. If you still haven't decided which New Years party to go to, be sure to look at the Steppers Calendar page. Lets hope everyone will have a happy, prosperous, and exciting new year. Have a safe and happy New Years Eve! In tomorrow's column, I will go to my favorite local reader, Mama Czenee for some predictions for 2009.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!


]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-31-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 7E948191-404B-41D0-8929-DEDA4E5BE6F9 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:05:53 -0600

[12/30/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
That Was The Year 2008
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here or Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
For those out there who remember the 1970's television program, "That Was The Year That Was", it was a program that provided a sometimes satirical view of the year gone by. It really doesn't have anything to do with the past year, but it seems to roll into my mind at the end of each year. I'm not sure many people remember the show. In January in the first article of the new year I made a bold statement. I said "In 2008 a dancer will rise from the ranks in a city other than Chicago and catch national attention." Also on the first, the first Chicago's Largest Steppers Contest was held at the Lexington House during a blizzard and sub-zero temperatures. On the 10th of January rumors started circulating about the Majestic Gents discontinuing their partnership with V-103 in favor of Soul-106. The rumors turned out to be true. On the 14th I posted the first episode of Real Talk on Moe's Learn2Step.Com website. To this day the feature is extremely popular. On the 17th the "Steppin' To Kings Dream" extravaganza kicked off in LA. In February, "Celebrating Our Heritage Extravaganza" in Atlanta was the mega party of the month and at the end of the month the controversy in Los Angeles was profiled in the ChiSteppers site. In March Phoenix played host to the 2nd Annual Desert Steppers Ball. I also asked the question, Is Stepping recession proof? Later in the year we would get the answer. In April we saw the First annual Mid-South Steppers Ball in Memphis TN (I haven't heard if there will be a second this year yet). Also in April was the announcement on the formation of the Chicago Steppers Convention to be held in Chicago over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. At the end of April I started to really harp on the steppers community about certification of instructors in a multi-part article. May saw the Majestic Gents Annual Steppers Convention in Florida that got rained on big time. There were also events in Raleigh N.C., Montgomery, AL, New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana as well as Houston and Dallas, TX signaling a rise of Chicago style stepping in the deep south. In May SteppersUSA also started the steppers classifieds section of the site. I also made the suggestion in May that Chicago Style Stepping be named the "official dance" of the city of Chicago. No progress on that front. Our readers chimed in on my crusade for instructor certification with their additions to my list "Why we need certification". The Steppin' Forward Documentary movie was announced at the end of May, but we haven't heard any more about it since. June saw the Fourth Annual White Party Weekend in Detroit MI as well as the 1GSteppers First Annual Juneteenth Steppers Ball in Dallas Texas, and the 1st Annual Seven Cities Steppers Festival Weekend in Newport News, VA. There was the announcement of the ill fated Steppin' Across America Contest in the beginning of June. The promises of big money prizes apparently wasn't enough to get the number of contestants to come out to make it worthwhile. And who knew my call in June for Stepping at the White House could possibly come true? A jury acquitted R&B star R. Kelly of child pornography charges in June. We also saw the club D'Elegance and Orbies Contest's go head to head. I liked Orbies but the place was sweltering hot with so many people in the place. June was also the month that the promise was made that Club D'Elegance wouldn't betray the steppers community any longer and it would be known as a steppers club from that point on. History tells the story. By the end of June, the gas prices were affecting everyone including our Community. The first Annual Metropolitan Steppers Steppers Ball & Workshops Weekend kicked off July that was full of contest finals, (Both 3-G's and Orbies) as well as the Gentlemen of Ballroom Second Cleveland Steppers' Ball in Cleveland, OH, and the cancellation of Steppin' Across America. There was also the first WLSC semi final held in Baton Rouge, LA. In July I announced SteppersUSA sends more people to steppers sites than Google making this site the hub of steppers activities on the web. In August, it was the 4th Annual Steppin in Shades of Brown event in Oakland CA, and Atlanta's 9th Annual Black + White Steppers Ball, and the Milwaukee's Largest were the major events. In August our daily steppers newsletter saw it's 365th issue milestone (today's issue is number 508)... Yea, I'm counting!  SteppersUSA's Steppers Killer Tips feature and our new and improved syndicated feeds also started in August. In September it was the 18th World's Largest Longest Steppers Contest that was the headline event. I took several thousand photos at that one and the DVD will come out (finally) on January 15th. I rehashed My State of Stepping Article in September comparing the original article to the facts in 2008. In September we saw the birth of the readers favorites of steppers music section. In September visits to SteppersUSA.Com Broke all records after the WLSC. In October, the big event was the Best of Both worlds Dance Extravaganza, in Ellicott City, MD. It was fun seeing people from different dance backgrounds come together and party. October also saw the debut of the Step and Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Program lead by Monique Salter. In October I also called for a National Steppers Day. I'd really like to see that one happen! In October we saw some great steppers music remakes by Seal and Kimmeth “KEYZ”. We also saw K-Jon shoot to the number 1 position on the Billboard chart for the first time. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention people came out in record numbers across the country to early vote for president. November was a historic month both for the steppers community and for the country at large. Chicago saw the first steppers convention where three major promoters worked together and made history. Oh yea, we also elected the first African American President in US history! Also in November, Mel Devonne posted a video on You Tube called. "KOS Keep on Steppin' trailer 1" he said it was a trailer for a movie he would be releasing. In December, I celebrated the one year anniversary of the History of Stepping Project. DBJ Productions celebrated their 5th Anniversary. I know I skipped over quite a few anniversaries through the year, but this column is long enough already. Finally, in memoriam the losses to the steppers community in 2008 were immense: George Macaroni, DJ Freddie Mack, and Renda McDade will always be remembered.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!


]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-30-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance EC5D8795-BA4C-422F-BBA4-F2B13D443CCB Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:22:19 -0600

[12/29/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Auld Lang Syne 2009
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here or Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
In a couple of days we will be ringing in a new year, 2009 is just about upon us, so forgive me if I start to refer to 2008 as last year because my mind is already deep into 2009. Well, there is one exception, the new years party at the Marmond Grand (see plugger). I'll be there with camera's in tow. So will ABC channel seven and Fox Channel 32. There are lots of steppers parties on New Years Eve in Chicago, but this one stands to be the one to give Chicago style stepping the exposure to the rest of the world it needs. I don't know how many times I've said stepping needs as much exposure to the non-stepping public as possible. This party fits the bill! So you have the opportunity to party like it's 2009 and to be on television to show the world how to party Chicago stepping style to boot! You can order tickets right here on SteppersUSA.Com or on the Majestic Gents newly remodeled website. Weighing what's important enough to budget time on for the website is difficult to say the least. Many sections of SteppersUSA need updating in a never ending battle to keep you in touch with the latest information about sets and parties, steppers classes and locations, clubs, the latest videos from You Tube, steppers music and of course gossip! For most people, this would be a full time job, but I do this part-time. I need your help to keep the site up to date. If you know of any incorrect or new information, just send me the full information. People seem to have problems getting the full information to SteppersUSA. What do I mean by full information? The best way to get the complete lowdown on anything to be posted on the site is to use the forms linked from the submission launch pad. Everything, all of the blanks filled out will get the full information necessary to post or to correct a posting on SteppersUSA. There's even an area where you can add other comments like telling me the information is an update, or more info about the submission. Please note this disclaimer under many of the submission forms... We do these services for free. The above submissions are basic informational submissions only. We will not necessarily publish additional information. We are interested in the information, but in order to publish additional information, please consider purchasing ad space for additional visibility. So if you're browsing the site and you see something that needs updating, please send the updated full information! Tomorrow I'm going to look back at 2008.
And if you haven't voted for us yet, just point your browser at the link below.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!


]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-29-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance D3C5FDA6-12E2-4C00-93C1-9CD3A20AC474 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:09:05 -0600

[12/27/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Better Videos Please
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee:webmaster@steppersusa.com
Hopefully you've noticed You Tube has changed their format for videos. Over the last few months, they have added support for both widescreen (16:9 format) and high definition videos. It makes sense in this day and age when many people are piping what they are getting on their computers straight to their new widescreen televisions. I've been shooting video pretty much exclusively in widescreen format a bit over two years now, so I'm pretty happy when I upload a video and it stays in the format I shoot it in. There are other technical problems like conflicting frame rates, but I'm sure in time You Tube will fix that too. One thing you can do is add the following to the end of the you Tube address of each video you watch: "&fmt=18" (without the quotes) and you will see the video at a higher quality.  People in the steppers community are realizing the value of promoting on You Tube in decent numbers (compared to just a year ago), but the quality of the videos themselves may say more than what they want to say. It's like those "Free" website hosting packages some have implemented... Nothing says "cheap" better than a banner on all of your web pages stating your business is using a free space to advertise and conduct your business... It's a very unprofessional appearance, and is that what you want to say to your potential customers? Just like on You Tube, when you post a video where nothing was done to light the area so you can see the the people stepping in the video. There are some really good videos on You Tube about lighting on a shoestring budget All DIY solutions on the cheap. Just search You Tube and you can find lots of How To's. You won't see a professional like Dan Land or myself shooting without lighting. You may be able to see your subjects in the viewfinder, but when you look at the result on screen, you see nothing but shadows moving in the dark. A little light behind the subjects, some light to the side and in front of the subjects will make a huge difference.  The better quality you show the public, the better impression you give the public. Of course there will be those who say, much of what you are saying here is self serving since you do video and build websites. Sure it is! But the haters will make an issue of it anyway so why worry about small minded? If I can do my part to help improve the impression the steppers community makes on the rest of the world, it's worth it. And if you haven't voted for us yet, just point your browser at the link below.

Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!

]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-27-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance B66C4D41-4A34-424B-907A-FFE946758CD6 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:30:50 -0600

[12/26/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Deja Vous Christmas
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. For me, it's back to working at 100% Thank you to those of you who sent Christmas greetings over the holiday. You know I appreciate you! I guess you can call it deja vous all over again on Christmas day. Two steppers instructors called me, one right after the other to thank SteppersUSA for being the only major site that gives it's visitors information about their steppers classes. In the last dozen years or so I have been to as many steppers classes as some instructors have and I know how important that publicity is for those classes. It's never easy keeping up with all of the classes and the fact they seem to change days and times and locations more often than a 50 year old man goes to the bathroom. Instructors please, if you change when your class is or location (or if you discontinue a class), let SteppersUSA.Com know! There are over 230 different classes listed from around the country.. So if you need to update the details, please submit the form on the site for classes. Over the holiday, I didn't just sit and vegetate (I would have loved to but it's not in my nature). I posted a couple of You Tube videos... Both from the 2007 Club D'Elegance Contest... one of Eric and Tina and one of Swan and Darice. I also finished the remodel of the WLSContest.Com website for the 2009 contest season. I added some color to this site. Once we get some WLSC news, that information will go there. The K'Jon Sneak Peek isn't really a cut that Chicago Style Steppers have taken to according to to the results of our poll over the holiday. I don't know what it means about polls, but over 300 people played the song, but only 13% of those who listened actually voted. I hear there will be something for the steppers though on the new CD.

Markie Bee
Vote for us in the Peoples Choice Awards!
New K'Jon Song Sneak Peek Would You Step to this song?



]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-26-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance CFC2BCFC-28C0-4B81-B47F-2E7F37A8E592 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:35:51 -0600

[12/21/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
The Gift of the Season
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
What story do you feel was the most important steppers story of 2008? Was it the Chicago Steppers convention? The Worlds Largest Steppers Contest? Let me know what you think. Drop me an email and let me know. Was not my day yesterday. email server got clogged up (that's why the newsletter was late) and on top of that, I managed to put the wrong day's events up on the newsletter and the site (fixed it on the web site later after the email debacle). That whole mess got me behind by three hours and I never caught up. Sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused. I never did make it to the 219 set as I was planning. It was just a messed up day. You can tell the holidays are in full swing (finally) as the number of visitors dropped dramatically. Usually December has been a pretty slow month (at least the last few years), but the numbers didn't show that slowdown until yesterday. from what they were saying on the news, sales at the stores picked up today too (looking for the bargains). They said you can expect another 10 percent off after Christmas too! I'm going to be taking a few days off from the column for Christmas, but you will still get events every day except Christmas (I'm taking that day off). I processed some photos I got from Doc in Atlanta from the mid day steppers set. If you would like to see those photos, cruise on over to www.SteppersChoice.Com and go to the photo gallery.

]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-21-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance DACB9030-AA2C-4F93-BA62-129E0A02E987 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:21:13 -0600

[12/20/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
The Gift of the Season
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
I'm going to see if I can drag myself out in the nasty cold and point my car to Gary Indiana's Genesis center because it's time for 219 Steppers annual holiday affair. If you're going bring an unwrapped gift  for a kid. Not only will it get you $5 dollars off the admission price but you'll be helping some child by being their "secret Santa". There's also the Clyde Harris-Randle Pre Christmas-Pre Inauguration Food Drive at the Marmon Grand Ballroom in Chicago. 'Tis the season for giving... Tonight in Southfield Michigan, my buddy Rodney Mack is doing his holiday party where they will be stepping in red and black. It's the time of the year people are on the road for the holidays (recession or not), so if you're looking for a party be sure to check the Calendar page for events in what ever area you may be in across the country. Of course there's no need to remind you to pick the best photo from the list. The voting will be open through the holidays. I was hoping to see some more new You Tube steppers videos but there is oh so much about Blagojevich and his "alleged greed" perhaps everyone decided to wait before posting new videos. Perhaps I'll post one myself from one of the contest's I've shot through the years. It all depends on my time, as I am working on several websites right now.

]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-20-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance CAF2238B-1013-4167-9530-CA5361C4C9DE Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:14:57 -0600

[12/19/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
But There's More...
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
You can never make everyone happy. No, I'm not being a pessimist... I find it funny, I wrote and published the article about the "Best steppers photos" back in October. I created a banner which "lived" under this column for more than a month which asked readers to submit photos for the feature. When there was a less than overwhelming response, I went in search of photos on the web and you can see the results of my search. Well, I published the article yesterday and within an hour, I got emails asking if I looked on this site, or that site. My response was simple. Why didn't you submit the photos yourself? I'm not sweating it, it's no big thing. BUT mark this on you to do list for 2009... If you see a great photo of steppers in action in 2009, send a copy to SteppersUSA.Com for inclusion in the second annual top steppers photos in December 2009. in the meantime, please vote for the best of 2008 from what is listed this year. Speaking of 2009, you can see on the all-new www.majesticgents.net website the years Willow Brook schedule is now posted which includes the date for the 2009 19th Annual World's Largest Steppers Contest. I'm working out a new design for the WLSContest.Com website because... it's time. You may be wondering why the newsletter is later than normal today. The ice storm that rolled through last night managed to knock out power here for a couple of hours, so I'm playing catch up. Have a great weekend!

]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-19-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance F74C8DCA-797B-4776-8780-F997985BAD26 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:04:15 -0600

[12/18/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Look at the Photos
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers:pluggers@steppersusa.com
The list is together, the photos are all lined up in their rows and all you need to do is pick your favorite. This is the SteppersUSA.Com list of the best photos of 2008. Take a look at these Photos and choose the best. Finding and choosing the best of anything on the web can be tough to do. Steppers photos seems to bring that thought to a whole new level. There were plenty of portrait and posed photos out there, but those shots of steppers doing what they do, that proved to be more of a challenge. It's not like I didn't ask for help, because I did, so if that shot you thought should be there isn't there blame yourself because the invite was out there since October. Some are really plain, but they do depict life as a stepper in the "steppers habitat" during the time they love best (while stepping of course) and I feel it's important we have a record of Chicago style steppers activities for posterity. There are also photos that jump off the page at you to live up to the "adage a picture is worth a thousand words" but the fact is a great photo is worth a million words. Every photographer has taken their share of both types of shots. I'm sure there will be a better choice next year.
In other steppers news... Here's another reason to be subscribed to the Step and Think Pink Newsletter, yesterday you would have gotten this extra edition.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-18-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 7ECBC282-1504-4FD3-89FD-5614EE6F2C4D Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:38:49 -0600

[12/17/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
"Unique" Retirement
By Markie Bee
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He says his retirement from Stepping party is tonight at the Christmas party at the 50 Yard Line. At least that's what "Unique" Maurice Turner told me on the phone last night. Maurice has been talking about making the move away from stepping to dedicate his energy to other pursuits. Starting in 1996 through 2004, Maurice was a dominant player in the Worlds Largest Steppers contest placing in the top three places eight times (source: The Steppers History Project). Over the last few years Maurice has been a steppers instructor in Atlanta as well as a well known DJ. In 2008 Maurice returned to Chicago after he completed school in Atlanta. Good luck Maurice!
Yesterday evening I got this announcement in my email from Sunshine of Shine Entertainment... "The Midday Sunday Stepper's Affair at 1925 has been canceled until further notice!
Shine Entertainment's female beginner's course & intermediate boot camp along with the ongoing male only class will STILL be held at 1925 as previously advertised starting January 4, 2009.
Please do not email me asking me why, as that is not as important as knowing that when I announce Shine Entertainment's next stepping party or "hot" event, you will not be disappointed and they will be as always fun & worthwhile. I will always give you something of quality & value to come out to. I will never do anything for the love of your money, I will continue to do what I do for your love!" With all of these sets and parties suddenly ending, I keep hearing that rubber tree plant song running through my head. The poor economy hurts everyone, ready to get the blue lights out yet?]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-17-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance BB48C435-7B02-4898-906C-14F6E93E146E Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:25:46 -0600

[12/16/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Shared Knowledge
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers:pluggers@steppersusa.com
The Christmas week parties are in full swing now and there is a full slate of "Customer appreciation nights" coupled together with these parties to boot. Perhaps the clubs should do a buy one get one free too so they can be just like their retail cousins. Face it everyone is trying to get their money before the end of the year. Nothing wrong with that. Artificial deadlines... Don't 'ya love 'em?! Something I was wondering about recently... I live in that world of computer geeks and one thing that is done quite successfully in that realm on the internet is what is commonly referred to as an "experts exchange". A place where people ask questions about technology and the "uber-geeks" (Heavy Hitters in the tech world) answer those questions. It helps those interested in the area of expertise understand the underlying technology. In the steppers arena, the closest I've seen to anything like this is in the Real Talk episodes on Learn2Step.Com where Moe occasionally answers some viewers questions about the dance. In our community we have some uber-steppers who I have the pleasure to know. Why not use these relationships for the greater good by asking them some questions our readers (you) send in? After all everyone who is striving to be better in the dance has questions they would like to ask... and there's no better place to ask and see your answers than right here so thousands can benefit from some shared knowledge. It never hurts to ask, so if you have a question for a heavy hitter send an email to killertips@steppersusa.com and I'll contact some people for their responses to your questions.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-16-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 9A8C10A7-7212-4886-8E69-A3E6E52BBAF4 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:50:37 -0600

[12/15/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Tortoise Not The Hare
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
As many of you know, I get lot's of steppers newsletters and when I have the time, I actually read them. They give me some semblance of an idea of what's happening in places other than Chicago in the world of stepping.  One of the newsletters I try to read as it comes out weekly is Lana Reid's weekly newsletter. This week Lana hit on something I wrote about a while back in this column. She identified it as a "problem" in her estimation.  I boiled it down to what I'll call "steppers burnout". At some point people hit a "wall" (perhaps similar to the "wall" runners talk about). You can either "power your way through it" or give in to the heaviness of your legs. Yes, we need a "steppers retention program" of some type. I mentioned in another column something else that rang in my brain when reading Lana's newsletter when she mentioned how many people jumped on the "steppers bandwagon" after hearing "Step to the Name of Love". In the latest episode of Real Talk, that was shot at the Chicago Steppers Convention, there was quite a discussion about how the song helped to create some misconceptions about how the dance is done (i.e., where in the dance do you step to the right... etc.). This too can cause some eventual dropouts as well. I do have it on good authority there is a video with a major artist singing a steppers track with original Chicago steppers dancing to hit in the future. A failure to expand the number of venues, a lack of enough men dancing in the area will spell potential disaster for any area devotee's hopes for expansion. Too much in-fighting, too many people pointing out what's wrong for the sake of pointing out what's wrong are all ingredients that can hurt the dance in the peoples eyes thus driving them away. The biggest thing is people are starting to realize they need to live balanced lives (in other words everyone isn't going to be addicted to stepping). A casual stepper doesn't go to every event or set. They pick and choose. That's OK. As the "base" grows, you will see these "casual steppers" from time to time. The secret is to keep trying to get new people stepping. It's that simple. It really is. Sometimes it's best to be the tortoise not the hare.
I got an email over the weekend from someone who wants to know if there is, "Any chance of stepping lessons coming to San Diego, CA?" I replied, "I'll post this in a column and see if there's an instructor who would travel to SD perhaps to do a workshop to start." of course that means someone in San Diego would have to do some footwork by getting a group of people together to make it worthwhile for an instructor to make the short trip from Los Angeles. Of course there is the Stepping to Kings Dream Extravaganza next month in LA where there will be many steppers workshops from many of the best steppers in the business, so it may just be worth it to make the trip north to learn and to network.
For those who were wondering... I managed to get enough money together to stay in my current space for at least another month (he says as he wipes the worry sweat  from his brow). I need to find a new place to live and work. I guess I'll put up a classified.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-15-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance A1B2292F-8467-4706-9259-FE29E2265D4B Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:57:59 -0600

[12/13/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Not a Fad
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
The most common dances from the 1970s are in the disco and punk genres. Break dancing was by far the biggest dance craze of the early 80s, slamdancing, also known as moshing was popular then as well. The 1990s introduced the enormously popular Lambada from Brazil. Dance fads come and go. Each new trend finds its' own enthusiastic supporters who continue the dance even after general interest has waned. Chicago Style Stepping isn't really a fad... The dance has been around way too long to be considered a fad. The dance does continue to evolve and change with the times. The Bop of the 50's and 60's certainly isn't the swing of the 30's and 40's although they share some common roots. Stepping in the 70's and the 80's isn't the same as stepping in the 1990's... Just like the differences between the new skool and the old skool of today. In Chicago, you can go from one club or event to another and see completely different styles of the dance. The new skool with their spins and turns and the old skool with their hybrid of Bop and Ballroom show the generational changes in the dance. I've heard people say they won't go to a particular place because they play too much "slow music" or the club plays too much "new music"... in any case the dance itself has continued to exist because it has changed and adapted through the years.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-13-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 86E6E7B3-4626-4AB2-974C-5CE147BA9FE6 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:47:46 -0600

[12/12/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Finally... The Weekend
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Finally, the weekend is upon us after a holiday week suspiciously devoid of "Special Events" (for the uninitiated, a special event is an event that happens differently than a weekly frequency... In other words that club set that happens every week may be "special to you", but to the broader community it's another weekly event... When something special happens... meaning something out of the "routine week to week dance party" I'm sure the promoters will let us know to make it "Special"). There are plenty of parties happening. Just check theSteppers Calendar Page for more details. Steppers favorite K'Jon has once again topped a Billboard (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales) chart with his mammoth hit "On The Ocean" at Number 1 for the latest chart. The Billboard chart has been the bellwether of sales success in the music industry for the last 50 years. Now, how long before there's Chicago style stepping on the late night talk shows featuring K'Jon singing one of his hits? The Majestic Gents new web site is up and the remodel job is well under way as the new site is starting to appear across the web. I've set up a few of the new features on the site like online ticketing and WLSC 2008 DVD ordering. I still have lots to do on the site but it's a big improvement over the old site. There's supposed to be a new web site for Casper's "A Steppers Story" play which is going on the road to the January Steppin to King's Dream mega party in Los Angeles. One day I'm sure I'll make the trip to LA when someone sees the value of hundreds and thousands of photos to chronicle the event. Until then, I will hold down the fort in Chicago.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-12-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance B0CE946C-E8F3-4590-83E3-E659029B4D16 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:45:20 -0600

[12/11/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Good Will Burning
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
One more December event cancellation to report today... The Takin' it Step By Step Holiday Appreciation Party this Saturday, December 13th at Hairston's Dinner Club has been canceled due to double-booking. If my count is correct, this is the third event nationwide reported canceled for various reasons during the holiday season. Through the year we do see cancellations for various reasons, but this month is on overload. Holiday party plans and clubs trying to maximize their profits can spell disaster for a planned steppers event. All to often individuals and steppers organizations rely on the "good will" of club owners and managers. Sometimes that "good will" can vaporize when a club sees dollar signs (even on a temporary level) and your class or club's event goes by the wayside and you suffer the loss of a set because a club manager or owner went to the Rod Blagojevich school of management and stupidity. The loss of just one day can hurt your creditability with the public. That "good will" can leave you with a feeling of betrayal and "being played". The simple solution... Put together a contract and get it signed! That's called protecting yourself. We've seen it time and time again in the suburbs of Chicago. How many steppers promoters and vendors have been through the turnstile of a club that has burned each with their "good will... Until" attitudes? I won't mention the name of a place like that, but you don't need to be a deep thinker to figure it out. Just look for all of the burned bridges. Now that the deal is sealed, I can officially let the cat out of the bag... I am in the process of building the All New MajesticGents.Net web site. Once everything is transferred over, the site will be able to process your ticket needs for events, features like videos, photo galleries, an online store and more.
]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-11-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance FB29B95F-1B14-40F5-B4C0-F6ED2CD005A4 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:44:42 -0600

[12/10/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers History Site Anniversary
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
and I have been doing my best to update it when I have the opportunity. I want to thank those people who have contributed through submissions of articles, first hand information, recollections, and perspectives on the Chicago style steppers dance in it's first year of existence. There are loads of things yet to do on the site, including the first videotaping of original steppers perspectives and recollections in 2009. I want to get as many people involved in this as possible. Most recently, I have been extrapolating club anniversaries from the events archives on SteppersUSA.Com and adding those items to the timeline, since these groups are so very important to the dance as it exists in it's current form. So if you are a member of a steppers organization and your anniversary isn't listed shoot me an email with the info about the organizations anniversary and I'll add it to the timeline. There will be more to come in this second year for the project. In other steppers news... This Saturday, at Orbie’s International in Hammond, IN The HBCU College Tour is having a Fund Raiser Stepper’s Set with proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Clubs. It's always good to make an appearance to help out a worthwhile cause. DBJ Productions in Rockford IL will be celebrating their 5th anniversary this weekend. For more information on these and all other weekend events, be sure to check out our Steppers Events Calendar page.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-10-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 51C57A59-2346-45B0-BE3E-063524CF0D3D Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:26:49 -0600

[12/9/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Web Music Stores
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Hopefully everyone has seen Not Bad For A Girl Entertainment's event is CANCELLED enough said. The photos I took on Sunday at the Burbank Manor Strictly Steppers Set are online. You can view the photos from the photos page of the site. The Strictly Steppers will soon have a new web site, so stand by for more information about that. If you are looking for steppers music, I'll make two suggestions... Steve "Miggedy" Maestro's MiggedyMixes.Com and Yahir Yisreal's web site, YBYProductions.Com... I'll be working on a site upgrade for Yahir in the near future, as well as possibly several other things. You may notice on Yahir's site there is a link to steppers favorite K-Jon's website. We are going to be hearing a lot more about K-Jon and Yahir very soon. The Majestic Gents and people from DC, Baltimore and Atlanta are teaming up to present Steppin To the White House in Washington DC on January 19th and 20th during the presidential inauguration celebration for Barack Obama. Did anyone send an invitation to the president-elect? We need to get stepping into the White House itself next! For those of you who emailed me about the second part of my column yesterday, Don't Stand In Front Of The Fan it wasn't just a sales pitch or a scheme story line. I really am loosing my place at the end of the week if I can't come up with the balloon payment my roommate needs to stay afloat. So if I can convince you to get a website this week, I will do right by you. My customers are satisfied with the level of service I give to them. I really like the place I'm at  so visit my website at www.MyGWebD.Com, view the links to the sites I've built (each is a custom designed site to my clients specifications), then call or email me to get your own site rolling.
Happy birthday to my Daughter Michelle!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-9-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance B83B9B0D-8F35-4542-937D-10603DCC855C Tue, 9 Dec 2008 10:47:38 -0600

[12/8/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Don't Stand In Front Of The Fan
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
When it hits the fan, it's always a good policy to be standing behind the fan. Words to live by. I'll explain later... I just thought that would be an opening that would catch your interest for now. After having most of the weekend  in (what turned out to be a failed attempt) to recuperating from a persistent case of the flu, I made my way out to the Burbank Manor to take photos of the Strictly Steppers Sunday night set, and to take care of some business with Ice Mike and Bigg Henry about their upcoming steppers convention in May next year. I'll have details for you soon. I had some meaningful conversations with Yahir Yisreal about stepping, it's history, the music and of course his web site... an online steppers music store (you know I had to talk business). I also realized at that point that the flu wasn't really gone and I needed at least another gallon of expectorant to clear out and dry up those lungs which were stinging from the single digit cold. If I could live without breathing for a while, I'd do it, but business has to go on... Here goes two more boxes of Kleenex. When I got home last night, I guess you can say I got caught in front of the fan. The economic crisis has really hit the home front full force. I got notice from my roommate of the last three years. Over the years the bills have piled up and need to be cleared this week, or it's out the door for me. If I manage to clear this "balloon payment" this week, my part of the rent is going to increase by around 50% starting in January. It's still a lot cheaper than paying for a place all by myself so I am attempting to make this happen. Here's how I will do it... I know because my personal and business expenses are going up, I'll have to raise my base web design prices... So what I'll do is make an offer to anyone who is contemplating a new web site. I will build your website for $360.00 (includes hosting) if you order and pay for it this week by Friday. After Friday the price will increase to $475.00. (Cue the cheesy game show music) If you visit my Design web site at www.MyGWebD.Com, you can see samples of sites I've built and what you can get for this Low, Low price. Help stimulate the economy by taking advantage of this offer.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-8-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 97F2CB58-2E12-4B65-B51C-B77A7A45F05A Mon, 8 Dec 2008 11:32:32 -0600

[12/6/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Making Money
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
When you're in business, any business, the ultimate goal is to make money, enough money to call some of it (as much as possible) profit. I know I've heard of that word before, it's the money left over after all the bills and expenses are paid. There are people in the steppers community who don't like it if you make profit from what you do. Haters! (Profit is that money you use for stuff like food, rent, gas, etc.) There are people in the steppers community who don't like the fact that you may be in business for yourself. Too bad! It takes a certain amount of moxie, a certain amount of courage to start your own business, especially in a relatively small niche market like Chicago style stepping... Really, how many possible businesses are allied to the steppers moniker? Let's see, there are instructors. They make money by teaching the dance and a few of them make enough money to do it full time. Some of them also do choreography for weddings, shows, contest participants, etc. Most of the steppers instructors out in the world at large work at it on a part time basis though. In Chicago it seems there are more instructors than people dancing the dance! Promoters are next on my list of people who make money in the Chicago style stepping niche market. Granted, many instructors wear this hat part of the time too, but there are people out there promoting stepping events while in the hunt for that mysterious evasive profit margin. People love the promoters when everything goes perfectly. The problem is simple... Nothing ever goes exactly as planned, so the promoter usually never gets the love they deserve from the steppers community, just grief for what went wrong, so they continue to plan and attempt to make the next event "better" while making the money they need to make the event happen as well as some profit in the end. Very few promoters work full time in the steppers niche. Next on my list are the photographers, videographers, webmasters, and graphic designers/ printers and other vendors. Without the photographers, and videographers, there would be no visual record of the event and one less tool for the promoter. These vendors make their money in the creative realm and usually work at a fixed price for their finished goods. So if they get enough business they will make some profit. Graphics designers/printers usually have a set fee schedule and make their money with delivery of their product. Printers, photographers, and videographers generally work in a much larger arena than the steppers niche market. Most webmasters work in a larger market than the Chicago style stepping niche and there are only a few of us who work "mostly" in the steppers market. You can make money in this area, but pulling hens teeth may be easier. We all look for the "bottom line" no matter what our role in the steppers community is. As long as we all strive to do what we can to make it work for everyone, everyone will profit.
Oh yea, those Step and Think Pink tee shirts are now on sale atwww.stepandthinkpink.org. There are different sizes and color combinations for you to choose from.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-6-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 12E7B77D-0467-4F1D-BD68-B0C9F3B3B76E Sat, 6 Dec 2008 11:08:49 -0600

[12/5/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Stepping Today
By Markie Bee
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Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Hooray it's Friday! This particular week couldn't have ended sooner for me. A touch of the flu hit on Monday and I'm just about over it.... After 200 Kleenex, and about a gallon of cough syrup. Fortunately I really didn't have to go anywhere. I have until Sunday, when I was asked to go to Strictly Steppers Sunday set at the Burbank Manor. It looks like stepping is growing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana... There are two instructors there and there's lessons and stepping on Tuesday's, Wednesday's, and Thursdays. I guess when they break into the weekends, we will know they have a following large enough to support a club on a weekend (at least once a month). In Atlanta, Takin' it Step By Step's "Blue Jeans + Boots" Party is to benefit Hosea Feed The Hungry... Bring some canned goods and get into the set for a reduced rate. They are supporting the homeless in the Atlanta Area. Urban Ballroom Steppers Sister to Sister Breast Cancer Fundraiser is at Lincoln Lanes Golf Resort in Grand Rapids, MI tonight. In Detroit, the date of "The Blue Diamond Ball" was changed from March 6-8 2009. It will take place on March 13-15 2009. In a news release from Lana Reid: Los Angeles, CA– Planning for its first debut outside of Chicago, "A Steppers Story" is a heart-warming production that documents the evolution of Steppin. The cast features numerous well-known Chicago natives who are staples in the Steppin scene. The main character, played by Casper is a man who struggles to learn how to step to acquire the attention of a female and during his journey to learn the art form retraces the roots of African-American dance, builds confidence in himself and humorously shares his transformation with the audience.
During the 4th Annual Steppin to King’s Dream at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Casper will be in attendance and holding auditions for background Steppers for the upcoming February 2009 performance in the Los Angeles area. Oh yea, those Step and Think Pink tee shirts are now on sale at www.stepandthinkpink.org.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-5-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 318F8244-C491-4C1E-939B-1951A6E612A2 Fri, 5 Dec 2008 11:05:42 -0600

[12/4/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
In The News
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
How dumb do they think we are? I'm talking about the news on TV and the Web. Early this morning on one of Chicago's early morning news shows the producer came on air talking about how the news lead was the little bit of snow we got a couple of days ago. He said that's not a lead story... Anyone can look out their window, or open a door and see that it snowed (It's not unusual in Chicago). People may want to know traffic conditions and to see if it's going to snow some more, but it's not a lead story. News is news and entertainment is entertainment. I can see how they are intermingled on the web. but not on TV news. People got killed the night before in the city, isn't that more important than a snow storm? I guess we must be dumb to accept this as news. OK what does this have to do with steppers? Very little... I just wanted to vent! Let me explain an angle to this though... All too often a particular instructor or an organization does something that is newsworthy, like holding a set for a charity for example. They make flyers, they distribute them, they fail to update their websites, they don't send a news release to the press. Let's say for example, Dre and Company decides to go on a national steppers educational tour to teach the public that Chicago Style stepping isn't "step to the left, step to the right". That would be newsworthy. We have events happening all over the country, but we fail to make news while doing so. We should. I'm not talking about pointing out everything that went wrong in a contest, or an event... that's not news, that's just gossip. We as a community need to develop a system of generating some news that will be accepted by the news gathering organizations and the public at large. If you send a press release, SteppersUSA will post it.
]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-4-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 0131CB79-0B74-4CF8-B47D-D9C32786BABB Thu, 4 Dec 2008 10:57:31 -0600

[12/3/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Stuff 2
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Before I forget, The tenth installment of REAL Talk is online at Learn2Step.Com as Moe and his "Really ready for prime time stepper guests" talk about stepping. No edits, just Real Talk. I wasn't really amazed during the convention how many people asked me when the WLSC DVD was coming out. I told them I don't think it will come out until they have enough pre-orders. You can pre-order the DVD at WLSContest.Com. Did you notice all of the pink ribbons and pink lollypops on Saturday night at the convention? I noticed there were a few Step and Think Pink Tee Shirts on Sunday at the blue jeans set. In another week or so you will be able to order one of those shirts to help fight Breast Cancer within the Steppers Community at StepandThinkPink.Org. While you're there, sign up for their newsletter. Big events like the steppers convention are always the place where people make a fashion statement. People get pinned up and coordinated and always seem to try to out dress everyone else in the room. Are there some people who really dressed to impress to a higher degree than anyone else. When you look at the Photos of the events, which photos of people dressed out stand out the most? Send an email to webmaster@steppersusa.com]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-3-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 98CF07C8-99A4-47BB-B31D-4DA81A50E85F Wed, 3 Dec 2008 10:32:16 -0600

[12/2/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Steppers Stuff
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
The photos are up and everyone's happy (oh yea, I just added the photos Doc from ATL shot). For the most part the convention experience was a good one, sure there were kinks that need to be ironed out, but isn't that always the case? You can't cater to everyone's tastes all of the time can you? Let's bask in the sunshine of a wonderful weekend instead of dewlling on the things that went wrong. Enough said. Now I can turn my attention to setting up the episode of REAL Talk for Moe's Learn2Step.Com. This episode is so very "talk TV" featuring the perpetual discussion about "Heavy Hitters" and the past Worlds Largest. The episode will be online very soon. By the way Yvette McDonald really takes Moe to the task in this episode in the same way she did in what I am calling "The lost episode" (an episode where there was a bad tape and showed 1/8th of the screen... it happens). I may actually have some time today to clean my camera and flash thoroughly after the Friday night spill of cranberry juice all over my equipment. One of these days, I'm going to make it to Chicago on first Tuesday to see the Steppin' at the Picasso, but work prevents me from getting there every time.  That will change at some point. Strictly Steppers is putting together their own 1st National "Chicago Style Steppers Convention of Delegates" in May of 2009. Ice Mike, Bigg Henry, and Ms Mary were plugging heavily. Unlike the convention which just ended, this looks to be set up as a fully blown convention with elections, delegates, and a general business meeting. Oh, there will be plenty of workshops and dancing too. There will be more info to come soon.
]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-2-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance A6220298-AED6-4E66-BE0E-139AAE3FAD96 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 10:46:46 -0600 Photos from the 2008 Chicago Steppers Convention are online now!<br /> <a href="http://www.steppersusa.com/steppers-photos.htm">You can view the photos online by clicking here.</a><br /> <a href="http://www.steppersusa.com/steppers-photos.htm"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.steppersusa.com/images/IMG_6021.jpg"></a><br /> <br /> http://www.steppersusa.com/home.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 780C5B15-4D22-4A79-96BA-1F5168414125 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0600

[12/1/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Convention Wraps Up
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
Burbank Manor was the scene of the farewell party of the first Chicago Steppers convention which was successfully pulled off by three promotional groups which are usually in competition for the consumers dollar. All of the promoters were at the individual nightly parties to support each other (which is the way it's supposed to be). I think the last time I was at Burbank Manor was so many years ago (for a wedding) I don't remember (possibly because I was a drinker back then). I drink soda these days and $2.00 for what seems like a shot glass full of cola is a rip-off. One thing I want to mention, is (generally speaking) at all three venues the air conditioning was working which kept the dancers relatively cool compared to many of the parties and sets I've been to in the last year (even with the thousands (estimated around 3000) who showed up at the Convention center on Saturday it was relatively cool). After walking what seemed to be about 50 miles on both Friday and Saturday to get photos, Burbank Manor was a pretty easy shoot by comparison since it's a smaller venue. All of the photos (900 to around 1000 photos) from the weekend will be posted this afternoon. I'll post an email blast to let you know where to find them. Newsletter subscribers get to see them first. So if you're not subscribed, you get seconds! We're going to explore what's next for the CSC in a future article.
In other Steppers News
The grand opening of the Los Angeles Steppers Connection Dance Studio has been re-scheduled for this next Saturday because of a construction issue. Let's see there are now two dance studios dedicated mainly for the steppers. One in Detroit (Mistalocks), and now one in Los Angeles. When is there going to be one in Chicago? which enterprising Instructor is going to make that jump? I know of several Hand Dancing studios around the east cost, so it has to be a matter of time right?
Tomorrow is time for Stepping at the Picasso,
at the Daley Center
Randolph + Dearborn, Chicago, IL
12pm - 1pm
it's FREE!
Send those December 2008 pluggers!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/12/12-1-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance F90A8B91-C143-4A78-BB58-F996C190C4A0 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 10:09:51 -0600

[11/29/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Holiday Stepping 2
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
I hope everyone continues to have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday across the country yesterday (I hope you spent wisely at those Black Friday sales). Tis the season for Holiday Stepping (my buzz word for the season, what can I say). I can't stress this enough, so I'll repeat this... A bit of clarification about what is written in the description  of the You Tube video "Chicago Steppers the Animated Series"... It says "The first stepping Animation" on You Tube, I didn't write that. Everyone knows Dan Land is the first person to do animation via flash in the steppers community. You'll remember his stick figures dancing across the screen. I just want to set the record straight for the sake of history! The Chicago Steppers Convention day two is tonight in Tinley Park. There are workshops happening today in Tinley, I guess I'll find out who is doing them when I get there at noon. This convention is the first of several joint ventures which will be revealed soon on www.CSCSteps.com according to Pete Frazier of the Majestic Gents in a conversation we had a couple of nights ago. I took a few hundred photos last night at Willow Brook. I'll be processing these photos along with those I take tonight at Tinley Park and tomorrow at Burbank Manor. My camera is working fine despite the accident last night when a glass of cranberry juice got accidentally spilled on the camera and flash. I immediately dried it and cleaned it with alcohol when I got home. Even more reason for someone to buy that new camera for my Christmas present.  I'll see you at the Steppers Convention tonight!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-29-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 73A444B6-26C8-4621-B1B3-4AC7B70A6A9D Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:21:00 -0600

[11/28/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Holiday Stepping
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Order Tickets for New Years Party on line Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving across the country yesterday. Now I can "officially" say, Tis the season for Holiday Stepping. A bit of clarification about what is written in the description  of the You Tube video "Chicago Steppers the Animated Series"... It says "The first stepping Animation" on You Tube, I didn't write that. Everyone knows Dan Land is the first person to do animation via flash in the steppers community. You'll remember his stick figures dancing across the screen. I just want to set the record straight for the sake of history! The Chicago Steppers Convention starts tonight at Willow Brook. This is the first of several joint ventures which will be revealed soon on www.CSCSteps.com according to Pete Frazier of the Majestic Gents in a conversation we had a couple of nights ago. Lot's of annual events as well as an anniversary tonight. In Las Vegas, it's the 4th Annual Turkey Trot by the Universal Steppers of Las Vegas. In Rockford IL, the Rock City Unique Steppers are celebrating their 2nd Year Anniversary. The Steppers Connection in Georgia are having their 4th Annual Steppin It Out in East Point Georgia. I'll see you at the Steppers Convention tonight!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-28-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 23972ED6-8164-4EBC-91E2-81200CF6283B Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:18:55 -0600

[11/27/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Happy Thanksgiving
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

As times are tough for many people, it's time to count those blessings you do have. If you have your health, that's a blessing. If you have a place to live that's a blessing. If you have friends and family, that's a blessing. If you're going to sit down at that big meal today, It's a blessing. It's the small blessings we take for granted until we don't have them anymore. Happy Thanksgiving, and count those blessings!
A few short notes today...
If you're going to order tickets online for the Chicago Steppers Convention Today is the last day to do so. After today online orders will not be accepted!
There's a new You Tube Video called, "Chicago Steppers the Animated Series" Posted on You Tube November 26, 2008 which according to the description will be selling in DVDs at Walgreen's before Christmas. This looks unique and cool!
If you look at the Monthly Calendar, you will see there are plenty of events tonight so you can step off those extra calories you take in at today's dinner.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-27-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance E1419814-78AF-45B2-9E76-131EFF7149A9 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:15:26 -0600

[11/25/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Turkey, Convention, Cameras, You Tube
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com
As I sit here already full from the Thanksgiving dinner I am anticipating a couple of days from now, I'm thinking about the back of one of the pluggers I got when I was in Gary, IN the other night. It said, 1. Eat, 2. Watch TV, 3. Nod Off, 4. Refresh, 5. Meet me at the (steppers) Party. In years gone by, the real start to the holiday party season was almost always the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving. Most people were already on vacation, or were just starting their trips out of town, or just wanted to get out of the house, and the clubs and bars were more than willing to accommodate the party needs of the masses. Perhaps it's the economy, but this year no one has a big steppers bash planned until Turkey day... And then the flood gates open wide. Of course the real party gets started Friday night as the Chicago Steppers Convention kicks off with it's first night in Willow Springs, IL at the Willow Brook Grand Ballroom. You can get your tickets online right here. Saturday the convention moves to the Tinley Park Convention Center and Sunday It wraps up at the Burbank Manor. I have my Christmas gift in mind now, as many of you know, I love to shoot I've been using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel for a couple of years now and it's time to think about updating the camera body to a new model. It just so happens  in December Canon is coming out with a brand new model of the EOS. The camera I would love to be gifted to me is the Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera with it's 21.1 Megapixel Full-Frame Sensor, a Broad ISO Range (50-25600), and 3.9 fps Burst Mode. Oh, and I forgot to mention this camera has a video mode... in 1080p HD!  I've never seen a Canon Prosumer camera with a video feature let alone High Definition! Someone buy me this camera! I'm in camera lust.. I have to have one!!! I've gone a long way from my first camera, A Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. Has anyone noticed You Tube has changed their format to wide screen?  Speaking of You Tube Videos, The Virginia Beach Steppers put out a really nice video yesterday. It had adequate lighting, pretty decent sound as well as an interview segment. I gave it four stars. Excellent steppers Video! Way to represent the dance and the culture! We need many more like that!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-25-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 6745E321-1BF7-4839-90C1-1F1BDF2718D0 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:33:29 -0600

[11/24/2008 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Stagnant Sites
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

I'm a webmaster by vocation which means I have to be a graphics artist (Photoshop master), have a good command of some programming languages, the use and manipulation of databases, have a working understanding of what makes search engines act on my customers behalf and of course advise my clients about their sites. Some site owners "get it", while others don't. All websites perform some type of function when all is said and done. It's safe to say when a site goes stagnant (IE, doesn't change), it's headed for the dumper. I make my best attempt to tell each of my clients this from the very beginning of our business relationship with them. Some hear me, and some don't. What's my point here? I went through the list of web sites linked from SteppersUSA.Com (which was overdue) and discovered more dead links than usual. What happened to these steppers web sites? Why did their owners decide to end them? I return to the mantra I've always followed, a web site isn't supposed to be a billboard like on the side of the highway (Billboards get noticed once of twice and then they become part of the background and ignored). On the internet super highway, there are hundreds of millions of web sites. They all want to be noticed. Stepping as a genre has a rough time getting noticed on the web in the first place (mostly because of search engine confusion) there are stepping motors, stepping exercise machines, university dance troupes... all use those key words stepping, and steppin' in their own context. When a site doesn't get updated, it slides down in the list of sites in the search engine. Many of these sites didn't give the readers something new to read or do. Many didn't link to other steppers web sites. Having a web site means you need to be proactive and reactive on an ongoing basis. It's really no different than how you are probably (at least probably should be) running your business in the first place. The web is about collaboration either directly or indirectly just like the dance! You don't have to re-invent the wheel, but you do have to keep the wheels turning. If your site isn't doing what you want it to do. It's time to re-evaluate what you have done and what you are going to do to make it work. As I said before, you need to be proactive and reactive on an ongoing basis.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-24-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 0D9AB546-BD25-45A0-B2EC-47C07C109AEC Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:24:39 -0600

[11/22/2008 SteppersUSA News]
NW Indiana Stepping WOW!
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

It's been a while (around six or seven months) since I've made the short trip to Gary Indiana for a steppers event of any kind, and you will not believe the growth and change I can see in the northwestern Indiana area in that period. There have always been things happening in the Gary area especially around holiday time, The 219 annual "A giving back Christmas Affair" is a legendary toy drive. Other groups have attempted to put together sets through the year and had some limited success. Last night I shot some photos for the new permanent Friday night set at The Palace on 5th (right across 5th across from the Bennigans Diamond Center and next door to the Dustys Buffet). It's an older venue, but it has two decently sized dance floors including a stage for the bands that play there regularly. At the start of the set, I was talking to DJ Mellow Khris who was prematurely fretting about the light turnout (it was 8pm). I reminded him people don't come out to party until after 10 for the most part. By 10, the place was packed on the back side and the floor stayed packed there even though they had the option to dance on the less packed dance floor in the front. Back to what I was talking about before I went on my "reporters tangent" about the set. One thing that impressed me was the number of local sets and events being plugged... I already mentioned the 219 annual Christmas event which Easy and Joney Alcorn were plugging (they stayed and supported the event too). Chicago's Steppin' Luther was in the house taking portrait shots and his friends Ray Lee and Miss Pinky were in support while plugging tonight's "Famous Players Productions" Steppers Ball at the Genesis Center as well as events on December 6th and 21st . The back side of the plugger displays photos of some of Chicago's old school stepping elite including the one and only original, Kim Bowie. These are going to be real parties folks! I also snatched a plugger about an event in East Chicago, IN on Thanksgiving day promoted as a Old School Steppin Set at the Shrine Center. The most impressive thing about all of this... The people plugging the sets stayed and supported this new set. There are plenty of people in northwest Indiana who step and they look like they are doing a great job supporting each other. There's a lesson to be learned there. WOW!!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-22-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 1E347A79-AAFE-4C07-BB08-DDE4CD7E2269 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:13:41 -0600

[11/21/2008 SteppersUSA News]
KOS Keep on Steppin'
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

He's been a syndicated radio jock for over ten years, has his own record label, is a published author, and is a videographer/ film maker too. You may be thinking "jack of all trades" while that's partially true, Mel Devonne (www.meldevonne.com) is a master at all of what he does. Mel worked at V103 in Chicago in the 1990's and was the night time voice of Chicago with that sultry smooth warm and soothing voice that is so recognizable to his listeners. Mel has done some music videos, and made CD's too, in 2001 he did an original CD called, "For those who like to step" (His musical persona is Mr. D and his Music label is called Kia-go Music). Currently Mel is working on a big project which can have a major impact on the steppers community in the near future. About a week ago Mel released a video clip to You Tube called "steppin a way of life"... The description simply said, "clip of steppers film". Yesterday, Mel posted this clip. It's named, "KOS Keep on Steppin' trailer 1" and the description says it's "the first steppers full length movie". This is some exciting news for the steppers community. The release date hasn't been announced yet. When the word comes out, we will get that info to you.
Tonight, I'll be visiting the GI Elite Steppers Productions set at The Palace on 5th in Gary IN. I'll be shooting photos there. Hope to see you there!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-21-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 4E608EF3-42D5-4647-9809-EB5EF721EC12 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:15:25 -0600

[11/20/2008 SteppersUSA News]
Steppers Bailout
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

I wonder if there should be a "Steppers Bailout"? After all we are about as "Main Street" as you can get and I bet the money we need to "stay afloat" is a lot less than the unbelievable sums of money "needed" to bail out the multi billion dollar corporations. I bet we would be able to "rescue" all of those promoters who don't always make their money. Let the banks and auto manufacturers go bankrupt (They've all been mismanaged for years anyway and deserve nothing), and give some money to the steppers community. What would (could) we do with a large sum of money? Let me count the ways... Set up a working network of promoters on a nationwide basis so all major events are coordinated. I'd couple it with a national advertising program to bring stepping to the masses with radio, television, web, and print advertisement. We could hire some big time internationally known celebrities to be pitch persons for stepping. We could build or buy stepping venues with huge dance floors large enough to accommodate the gigantic crowds (and they can be environmentally green too). A national certify the basics program could be funded by paying all of the instructors off in order to teach the basics the same way in every class. The best steppers DJ's could be paid what they were worth. This way they could afford real studio equipment to make even better steppers mixes instead of relying on some funky computer software that lets them achieve only part of their potential. In fact give us enough money and we will even manufacture a car that gets 100 miles per gallon! We could start a "steppers bank" and get "bailed out like the rest of them. Of course everything I said in this column today was said tongue in cheek, Right?]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-20-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance BD9DC65B-34E2-4F6D-9B7C-1929C238F885 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:15:39 -0600

[11/19/2008 SteppersUSA News]
A Time To Promote
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

I've made mention of this before, but it bears repeating, since steppers events, steppers lessons, and steppers workshops are at the core of what we do at SteppersUSA.Com. If you are promoting an event, once you have a plugger (flyer) send it to us (see the pluggers email above?)... Don't wait until a week (or the day as I've seen in the past) before the event either... You want to promote to the widest possible audience, so the sooner you get the plugger to us, the sooner we can place it on the site. By the way, all pluggers are viewable on the monthly calendar page, just click the thumbnail, the screen will turn dark and scroll up or down to see the plugger. If you are submitting a text version of an event, just use our handy dandy form and be sure to fill out all of the fields on the form. This information is shared with our contributor Cynthia Bean for use in her weekly newsletter (FYI: Cynthia does not accept pluggers). There's a form for workshops also. please be sure to include all of the information about your workshop. You don't have to be a promoter to submit pluggers for events either. If you get a plugger that you don't see on SteppersUSA, by all means please share it with us! We will make sure it gets published. If you have a You Tube Video that we haven't found... Drop us an email with the link to the video and we will make sure to share that too. If it involves Chicago style stepping we want to share the information with our readers. It just takes a minute to submit the info to us!]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-19-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 08B48E84-6FBE-4E81-B355-B31B13139B5A Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:13:29 -0600

[11/18/2008 SteppersUSA News]
Steppin' Presentation
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers:pluggers@steppersusa.com

I got this email yesterday afternoon from Bopdaddy (who has contributed quite a few personal recollections to the Steppers History Project): My Man! Markie B, Please make it known, Markie that I am hold a History of Chicago Steppin presentation at the Stepper's Convention at the Holiday Inn, beginning at 12noon. Thankx to my Steppin buddy Preston of the Steppin Club, Main Event has provided me with a conference room to hold my presentation. I'm inviting all teachers and educators to establish a base to have Steppin taught as a AfroAmerican history project. I would like you to invite all those interested in the real History of Chicago Steppin. I would like for those attending to have some knowledge of how it all began. And to bring their own Steppin experience to the dance floor. Follow the sign, "History of Chicago Steppin".
P.S. "For all you glory seekers whom would like to bring evidence to dispute my claims bring it on." Bopdaddy, King of Bop It  sounds like it might just be an educational and interesting way to spend a Saturday afternoon to see this perspective on Chicago Steppers History during the Chicago Steppers Convention. Any time there is conversation about the history of the dance, it can be considered a good thing. Having a broad perspective from many peoples experiences can give you a real feel of how the dance has evolved. So, even if some people don't agree with one persons views of the past, you can still draw upon the parts of the experience which "gels" with your own experiences and perspectives.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-18-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance A2AA64DF-37CC-44C3-B7EA-DE3E4AA33CE5 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:47:49 -0600

[11/17/2008 SteppersUSA News]
Steppers Talk
By Markie Bee
WLSC DVD On Sale at WLSContest.Com - Click Here
Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info -Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

I talked to DJ Steve Breeze yesterday about some Steppers Convention Business (www.cscsteps.com), Steve has been home and on the mend after his surgery. He sounded like he is making some good progress toward a full recovery... We're all with you Steve. We are just a couple of weeks from this big event and hope to see you there. We're getting a preview of the probable weather for the convention weekend. In Chicago the temperature is in the 30's and we have been getting snow flurries. According to the weather channel, the temperature may be a little warmer for the Thanksgiving weekend based on average temperatures. Hey, it's Chicago, it's winter, I will be cold! It won't be hard to warm up with three big parties over the weekend.
Last week The Step and Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation sent out it's second newsletter. The newsletter details where they will be in 2009, plus some other items of interest to the steppers community. Subscribe to their newsletter here. From the trends I have been monitoring based on submissions of events, there has been a bit of drop off in the numbers of work week day special events (Mondays through Thursdays) on a nationwide basis. The trend seems to be bucked in Chicago with the addition of Miggedy Maestro's set on Wednesday nights but then again that's a regular weekly event, isn't it? Could it be the worsening economy? I know steppers need a new home to step at in the South suburbs of Chicago as I continue to get reports that Club D'Elegance has pretty much become a steppers Ghost town. I'm sure a new, better place will show up at some point, I hope it's sooner than later.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-17-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 5694B1F2-8068-4F32-B5DA-B0D8C00F09A4 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:38:34 -0600

[11/16/2008 SteppersUSA News]
Dance And The Web
By Markie Bee
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Buy Tickets + Chicago Steppers Convention Info - Click Here
Email Address for Pluggers: pluggers@steppersusa.com

When you think about it, The world wide web and dancing have some things in common. For example both were invented to be shared freely amongst as many people as possible. Its been said the commercialization of each can be detrimental to their respective growth... Sharing information is the web's mandate to grow, while sharing knowledge of dance and technique are necessary for any dance to grow. There those who share information on the web and those who don't, just like with the dance, there are those who share their knowledge and those who accuse others of "stealing their moves" (every dance is a result of someone learning someone else's moves). There are innovators on the web, just like there are innovators in dance. It doesn't matter which venue you speak of (dance or the web), if someone is innovative, and have something new that can be shared and keep it to themselves... Well, I guess they just don't get it. The person who holds back in a contest, won't win that contest, or be recognized for that matter. I know the person who don't (or won't) share on the web becomes isolated (not a good place to be with a million other sites out there and a billion other people who are willing to share. Oh, and about my comment about commercialization... I have nothing against people making money either on the web or in the stepping world. After dot com means commercial, and in the stepping world, the promoters and venues need to make money too. In all there needs to be a sweet spot, a balance where everyone involved shares and progresses to a new level.]]> http://www.steppersusa.com/News/2008/11/11-16-2008.htm webmaster@steppersusa.com Entertainment Dance 1A6B93B7-8D62-494F-9462-113EC5E1426F Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:35:02 -0600