Chicago-Style Steppin' (Washington, Kane, Kell: home, school, college)

[nystepper]

As a big fan of dancing and R&B/Soul Music, the partner dance called Chicago-Style Steppin' caught my eye and I've been taking lessons here in NY for about 2 years. It's well known on the south side and in many midwestern cities with a significant African American population but I'm curious if the greater Chicago community is familiar with this dance. Ebony has a little blurb about it in the current issue, but otherwise it doesn't seem to get much publicity. I'm one of the few white steppers, but who knows it may someday become more mainstream like other dances originating in the African American community. You can say you heard it here first

[Irishtom29]

I'm still doing the Swim and the Jerk.

[Ron.]

This form of dancing probably will never become a hit with whites and that's fine.

When you say mainstream do you mean approved of and acepted by whites?


The dance is already a hit within the black community. No approval needed from whites.

In my observation when things become "mainstream" they usually go down hill.

Look at rap music. I am a hard core old school rap fan, once it went "mainstream". It turned into crap.

I can ask most "mainstream" people about rap (music) NOT HIP HOP(rap culture) and they would not have a clue unless it was played on the radio. Which is where you'll here the worst rap music ever!

Rap-A.K.A emceeing


R

Originally Posted by nystepper

As a big fan of dancing and R&B/Soul Music, the partner dance called Chicago-Style Steppin' caught my eye and I've been taking lessons here in NY for about 2 years. It's well known on the south side and in many midwestern cities with a significant African American population but I'm curious if the greater Chicago community is familiar with this dance. Ebony has a little blurb about it in the current issue, but otherwise it doesn't seem to get much publicity. I'm one of the few white steppers, but who knows it may someday become more mainstream like other dances originating in the African American community. You can say you heard it here first

[Intergalactic]

The steppin' I've seen Chicago is not the synchronized percussion-generating hard tap dancing that the Wikipedia article talks about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepping_(African-American)

Basically, what I saw was middle-aged couples, dressed in suits and dresses, dancing medium-slowly, with little flourishes with the feet every so often. The music was R&B oldies.

[coldwine]

Up until this point, I had assumed "steppin" to be confined only to those cheap dance films that insult the African American community with their existence.

[oldhousegirl]

Yes, used to be a local show on think it was called, "Steppin' at Club 7". On ABC late nights on the weekends. Coldwine, you may be thinking about "stompin", which is similar to the college style step shows. A cane is hit rythmically (sp?) on a wooden floor.

To the OP, my cousin and her husband who live in Washington state "step", so it's traveled to more places than the East coast. Generally it's an older crowd who are very much into their moves. Fashion and style play a role as well.

[JDubsMom]

Originally Posted by nystepper

As a big fan of dancing and R&B/Soul Music, the partner dance called Chicago-Style Steppin' caught my eye and I've been taking lessons here in NY for about 2 years. It's well known on the south side and in many midwestern cities with a significant African American population but I'm curious if the greater Chicago community is familiar with this dance. Ebony has a little blurb about it in the current issue, but otherwise it doesn't seem to get much publicity. I'm one of the few white steppers, but who knows it may someday become more mainstream like other dances originating in the African American community. You can say you heard it here first

I grew up steppin' at red light basement/quarter parties on the southside of Chicago in the early 70's. It's nothing new and other than a few new turns and personal styles being added steppin' hasn't change much since the 70's.

Steppin' is an old school tradition that originated on Chicago's southside. It's been mainstrain for black folks who grew up on Chicago's south side for several decades. While R. Kelly brought it to the world stage, the rest of the world is decades late to the party.

I've never seen a white stepper, but I bet you can jam.

[nystepper]

When I was in Chicago last month, I took some lessons with LC aka "the Technician" and he mentioned the basement scene

Don't think I have a strong lead yet but the ladies here in NY are encouraging me to keep at it. Planning on spending more time in the Chi this summer. Do you recommend any clubs for a relative beginner like myself?

Originally Posted by JDubsMom

I grew up steppin' at red light basement/quarter parties on the southside of Chicago in the early 70's. It's nothing new and other than a few new turns and personal styles being added steppin' hasn't change much since the 70's.

Steppin' is an old school tradition that originated on Chicago's southside. It's been mainstrain for black folks who grew up on Chicago's south side for several decades. While R. Kelly brought it to the world stage, the rest of the world is decades late to the party.

I've never seen a white stepper, but I bet you can jam.

[nystepper]

No, I don't think I meant "approval" and I agree that approval is not needed. I believe I was drawing a parallel with, say, jazz and how that has become a part of popular culture. However, steppin' doesn't seem to be picking up here even within the black community of metro NY. Free style seems to still rule the R&B club scene unless the "bump and grind" like stuff the kids do qualifies as a partner dance Salsa is big and at some R&B oldie dances you'll see some couples doing the "hustle" from the disco days. I hear some swing dancers do aerial moves like the lindy hoppers but I've never been to those parties although I've gotten a lot of invites.

As for rap, I consider myself an old school fan, too (Spoony G, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B & Rakim, EPMD, etc.) Then again maybe those names don't qualify as rap artists. What's your opinion?

Originally Posted by Ron.

This form of dancing probably will never become a hit with whites and that's fine.

When you say mainstream do you mean approved of and acepted by whites?


The dance is already a hit within the black community. No approval needed from whites.

In my observation when things become "mainstream" they usually go down hill.

Look at rap music. I am a hard core old school rap fan, once it went "mainstream". It turned into crap.

I can ask most "mainstream" people about rap (music) NOT HIP HOP(rap culture) and they would not have a clue unless it was played on the radio. Which is where you'll here the worst rap music ever!

Rap-A.K.A emceeing


R

[RNinformatics]

Greetins oldhousegirl,

Chi-Girl here born and raised!
Just relocated to the Pacific Northwest from my home town of Chicago.
I am within driving distance of Seattle proper.
Where do your cousin and her husband Step?
Please forward details or have them e-mail me directly at rninformatics@msn.com

Thanks In Advance
Angela

Originally Posted by oldhousegirl

Yes, used to be a local show on think it was called, "Steppin' at Club 7". On ABC late nights on the weekends. Coldwine, you may be thinking about "stompin", which is similar to the college style step shows. A cane is hit rythmically (sp?) on a wooden floor.

To the OP, my cousin and her husband who live in Washington state "step", so it's traveled to more places than the East coast. Generally it's an older crowd who are very much into their moves. Fashion and style play a role as well.