Chicago Steppin

[pygmalion]

Um. Not too sure about the chronology in this "history," but here's a link on Chicago steppin. I wish I had some video links, but I'll keep looking. Anybody have more info on this dance?


http://www.mississippilink.com/pv/pageview.pl?section=entertain&newsfile=n200404135.txt

[pygmalion]

More info. Just for the record, this dance has been popular in the Chicago area quite a while. Any day now, I'll remember the name of a movie where I saw some footage back in the early nineties. There's a current resurgence in popularity because of R. Kelly's songs. Wish I could do the dang dance. :cry:

http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=215567
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485243/20040220/story.jhtml

[pygmalion]

Ha! Google, and ye shall find. Here, you can take online Chicago steppin lessons, for a fee.

chicagostylestepper.com/

And here is some Chicago-area info, plus a steppers chat room and some promotional merchandise. :wink:

steppers.net

[Vince A]

. . . by the way . . . Damon teaches this dance!!!

Great WCS song for me, as well . . .

I really like doing this dance, but until I have another lesson with Damon, I only have about 75% of it . . . all the pieces, but haven't put it all together yet.

[d nice]

I love this dance. Its still knew to being taught so there are lots of styles, both regional and musical. One gentleman has patented a teaching method for a style of stepping different from my own. I know his style, but teach it, I teach the freestyle form, I think there is a certain energy in it that I like more, though his has this incredible "coolness" to it, very laid back. When I teach it I use a compleatly different method... personally I like myine better, but then I'm biased.

[pygmalion]

It's nice to know all the individuality hasn't been homogenized out of the dance. ... yet. :?

The movie was Love Jones. And don't go rushing out to rent it. It's not a dance movie. It does have a very nice scene involving Chicago steppin. The irony, of course, is that, when I saw the movie, I thought, "I wish I could dance." Things change. 8) :D

[swinginstyle]

You might want to check Kansas City's 2 Steppin'. Recently, there was a documentary that concluded filming last December. I don't know when the end result will be finished. This is Kansas City's developed version of swing dating back to the 40's, I think. Anyway, there are several venues in South Kansas City which have 2-Steppin' (not to be confused with NC2 or anything country). What was neat was the fact that there was a several month long dance competition culminating to a $10,000 prize pot. There's more info to be found at http://www.kcdance.com if you do some digging.

[pygmalion]

Cool. Thanks, swingin style. 8) :D

[pygmalion]

The other R Kelly Chicago steppin song is "Happy People." I keep hearing it on the radio, and I'm getting increasingly frustrated that I can't dance to the dang thing. Maybe I'll buy the video. :?

[d nice]

I'm actually teaching a workshop/seminar on Chicago Steppin' This Sunday for National Dance Week in San Francisco.

Swingin' Style can you share more about the KC 2-Steppin'? I saw the photos on the sight, but couldn't find any actual information about the dance history. I learned the basics of a dance from someone in Houston they called 2-Steppin' and I'd love to find out if they were the same dance, and some of the background on it.

[Vince A]

I'm actually teaching a workshop/seminar on Chicago Steppin' This Sunday for National Dance Week in San Francisco.
Damon,

Do you have any further info on where in SF and what time? I looked over the entire dance weekend site, and did not see anything with Chicago Steppin' in it . .

Thanks,
Vince

[d nice]

I'm teaching with the Northern California Lindy Hop Society, so its actually in Oakland I believe at the Lake Merrit Dance Center. I'll give you a time and address when I find out for sure.

[Vince A]

I'm teaching with the Northern California Lindy Hop Society, so its actually in Oakland I believe at the Lake Merrit Dance Center. I'll give you a time and address when I find out for sure.
Kewl . . I can catch BART at Pleasanton and get off right at Lake Merrit.

If we can plan something for the two kids (like both kids' real fathers), we'll be there!

[Vince A]

Damon,
I just found it . . . sound correct to you? I have been trying to learn that dance for while now . . . I LIKE IT!

Northern California Lindy Society
Presentations about different kinds of swing dancing, performances by local swing dance troupes, and introductory classes in different types of swing dancing.
4:30pm-7:30pm All Kinds of Swing

Lake Merritt Dance Center
200 Grand Avenue (Harrison), Oakland - view map
info@ncls.com, www.ncls.com
415 979 3079

[jon]

I'll give you a time and address when I find out for sure.

NCLS event posting on Swingtalk. (http://www.swingtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2983)

Hope they're using the ballroom downstairs, the upstairs facilities seem pretty small for an event targeted at the general public.

[Vince A]

Thanks jon . . . that helped . . .

I think that since my wife has to get up at 3 AM, she would have been hesitant to go. But I see that the Chicago Steppin' class ends at 6:30, not 7:30 as I have on another flyer . . . we could actually be home by her regular "go to bed hours between 7:30-8PM."

Are you going???

[pygmalion]

:shock: Yikes! Get up at 3? *shudder* She needs to join DF and post in ERC. Since nobody else is. :wink:

[swinginstyle]

I'm actually teaching a workshop/seminar on Chicago Steppin' This Sunday for National Dance Week in San Francisco.

Swingin' Style can you share more about the KC 2-Steppin'? I saw the photos on the sight, but couldn't find any actual information about the dance history. I learned the basics of a dance from someone in Houston they called 2-Steppin' and I'd love to find out if they were the same dance, and some of the background on it.

And I deliver. Check out this article here: http://pitch.com/issues/2003-12-18/feature.html/1/index.html

Here is the site of the comp organizers. Good info should be here if you do any digging. http://www.manual74.com/

[pygmalion]

Cool. Thanks, swinginstyle. :D

[d nice]

Thanks for the links. I'm not sure it is the same one I learned,t hough it is probably related. I need to find an actual description of the basic step and what positioning it is done in. Do you do 2-step?

[swinginstyle]

I don't do 2-step myself. It's a matter of lack of time and traveling distance. I learned about through my friend who runs the KCdance.com site. He demonstrated the basic but I don't recall it that well. Perhaps I'll try getting ahold of their documentary or competition film. One time, though, while I was blues dancing a person sitting at a table made a comment about nice steppin'. Made me curious about how similar 2-steppin' is to blues.

[pygmalion]

Does anybody out there know the basic? Or can you find a step pattern description somewhere? (I couldn't find one online) Anyone?

[peachexploration]

The basic step is at these links:
steppers.ddirectory.com/Lessons.html
bigchiproductions.com/step101.htm

[suek]

Does anybody out there know the basic? Or can you find a step pattern description somewhere? (I couldn't find one online) Anyone?Well here's a surprise. There's more than one basic. Of course, huh?

I just tried to write out the two basics I know but gave it up...all I could see was Damon's face scowling at me for getting something wrong! Anyway, the definitive video is RKelly's Step in the name of love.

[peachexploration]

...Anyway, the definitive video is RKelly's Step in the name of love.

See his "Happy People" video as well.

[suek]

I just had a really nice experience. Following up on what I found out was another Chicago Steppin' basic, I found a class here in town...two hours today. I just got back from the class. Their basic is different, you hit the downbeats and start coming forward on the "2"--very tricky. We drilled basics for most of the class (I'm sore!), unconnected. When we did pair up, even though I had a hard time keeping my footwork, I had great frame and connection. I got positive feedback, from the teachers and other students ("you are easy to lead," "how long have you been dancing?").

Of course I referred one student who was having trouble with turns to Damon, who taught me everything I know about frame, compression, turning and following. The guys who teach this dance it well, but don't seem to have the broad and thorough dance foundation and vocabulary to address and fix issues like this.

Anyway, it was fun and validating. Nice combination.

I'm planning on going back, even though I have the same reservations about the Steppin' social dance scene as I do about Milonga...women are not supposed to ask men to dance, yadda yadda; conventions that irk me. So we'll see.

[pygmalion]

Lessons in NYC. 8)

h t t p :// abclocal.go.com/wabc/news/WABC_051804_stepclass.html

[Sagitta]

Anyone found any good instructional DVDs or videos on this?

[WHBonds]

For those who really want to know, Steppin has been around for a very very long time in Chicago. It started as the Bop, then Steppin in the late 60's. We have been steppin long before R Kelly, he can't step.

[jon]

For those who really want to know, Steppin has been around for a very very long time in Chicago. It started as the Bop, then Steppin in the late 60's.

Do you know if there's any relation to Beach Bop as practiced in parts of the South, or if it's just another naming coincidence like the various Shag dances?

[pygmalion]

Hi WHBonds. Welcome. :D

LOL about the R Kelly comment. Maybe he can't dance. I don't know -- I never seen the video and I can't step myself (although I'm looking for a place to learn.) *shrug*

One good thing, though, is he has made Steppin at least visible outside its home base. So maybe the popularity of the dance will spread even more. For example, a couple months ago, there were actually Chicago Steppin lessons here in Orlando, where I live. A first. Very few people here had a clue the dance existed before R Kelly's videos. (Other than those of us who saw Love Jones LOL)

Ya gotta take the good with the bad, I guess. :?

jon, from what I've seen of "The Bop" and "Beach Bop" they're different animals. I grew up around some serious bop folks in Philly who still do it. I'm not a dance historian, so I don't know the evolution of the dances. But the Beach Bop I've seen done here in the Southeast doesn't look like the bop I've seen done up north. There may be a relationship, but I couldn't see it. (Then again, things may have evolved over the years. Who can tell with these swing-related dances? No discipline at all! :wink: :lol: )

[bikediva25]

I'm looking to take classes in the New York City area and find clubs, bars, lounges where one can hone their Steppin skillz. Does anyone have any info?? I'm not having much luck searching the internet.

Much thanks,

bikediva25

[Sagitta]

welcome to df bikediva. Steppin' is another dance that I want to do, but no classes offered here. Pyg...did you atke those steppin' classes offered in Orlando?

[bikediva25]

welcome to df bikediva. Steppin' is another dance that I want to do, but no classes offered here. Pyg...did you atke those steppin' classes offered in Orlando?

I saw the post above about the classes offered at U Should Be Dancin
I'm gonna check that out on Wednesday. Hopefully, if the classes r still bein held I could get some more info on stuff in the NYC area from the instructor and other students. I'll keep u updated. I'm dying 2 go steppin.

Talk 2 ya soon,

bikediva25

[jon]

Had several R. Kelley stepping songs played at the WCS dance in Santa Cruz on Saturday. Not bad as WCS music, though a little too regular for my tastes.

[bikediva25]

welcome to df bikediva. Steppin' is another dance that I want to do, but no classes offered here. Pyg...did you atke those steppin' classes offered in Orlando?

I saw the post above about the classes offered at U Should Be Dancin
I'm gonna check that out on Wednesday. Hopefully, if the classes r still bein held I could get some more info on stuff in the NYC area from the instructor and other students. I'll keep u updated. I'm dying 2 go steppin.

Talk 2 ya soon,

bikediva25

:D Hi folx. I went to the stepping class last night here in NYC. Here's the link 2 the website I found.

http://www.mak3danceclub.com/intro.html

I emailed the NY class contact to find out the information. Its Mondays and Wednesday, MON 8 - 9:30, WED 7:30 - 9:00. 250 West 57th Street, Suite 528.

As a person with no steppin experience whatsoever, it was awesome. They go thru the basic step for awhile until u get the hang of it. Danielle, the instructor is mad serious and insists u stick with beginners awhile until u know the basic like the back of ur hand, without even thinking about it. Then, u can move on 2 more variations and partnering. It was great. I plan on goin back next Monday. I would recommend it to anyone in the NYC area....lotsa fun.

[StepperDJ]

I know that I saw someone's post here about steppers videos, well, here is a Chicago club site that has new Steppers videos every week:

bnjs-razz.net

I also found a new site dedicated to perpetuating all things Chicago-Style-steppers.

steppersusa.com

I hope these help :)

[pygmalion]

Thanks, StepperDJ!!! :D

Welcome. 8)

[amazonianarts]

I believe the movie you were recalling was "Love Jones" with Nia Long.
Remember when she asked her man if he could step over the phone...?

One of the best stepper´s in Chicago, the lovely Lola Harding, helped design that set for the film.




More info. Just for the record, this dance has been popular in the Chicago area quite a while. Any day now, I'll remember the name of a movie where I saw some footage back in the early nineties. There's a current resurgence in popularity because of R. Kelly's songs. Wish I could do the dang dance. :cry:

http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=215567
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485243/20040220/story.jhtml

[pygmalion]

Wow. Thanks, amazonianarts! :D :D That movie was one of my first exposures to real partner dancing. I'd seen folks bopping as a kid (baby, really) but, when I saw Love Jones, I was awakened to something new -- partner dance. Excellent.

[Left Coast Stepper]

Hello, it's great to see so many people steppin:) or interested in learning. I live in Oakland and have been steppin for about two years. I have taken several trips to Chicago and taken part in sponsering some of the best instructors from Chicago to teach in the bay area - some that have been steppin for over 20 years.

If anyone is in Oakland or near the bay area, knows the basic step (we dance on a six count, but I am aware that this is not everyone's count) we may have a class option for you this weekend. Let me know.

[Vince A]

Hello, it's great to see so many people steppin:) or interested in learning. I live in Oakland and have been steppin for about two years. I have taken several trips to Chicago and taken part in sponsering some of the best instructors from Chicago to teach in the bay area - some that have been steppin for over 20 years.

If anyone is in Oakland or near the bay area, knows the basic step (we dance on a six count, but I am aware that this is not everyone's count) we may have a class option for you this weekend. Let me know.
I'm interested . . . I used to know the basic step, but it's been a while.

I WCS a lot, so I think I can catch on pretty quickly.

So, where is this class option? We're about an hour or less from Oakland, and my wife and I would like to learn . . .

[pygmalion]

Hi happymom. Welcome. :D