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Chicago Style Stepping

"Steppin' (stepping)-- a social dance done in time to music that occurs on a steady recognizable 'downbeat'. The ability to take steps to the downbeat and still come back in time with your partner is widely accepted as steppin. The smooth gracefulness of the dance is also a characteristic of the dance. The dance includes a lead and follow position and thus to be well executed requires physical interaction between the individuals. Various turn patterns, footwork and pulls are all inclusive elements of the dance."
National Association Of Steppers Advisory Board www.nsaab.org © 2007

"Steppin is a derivative of several African American dance forms, The Ring-Shout, The Cakewalk, The Jitterbug, The Swing, The Offtime, The Bop, and The New Bop in particular.
A dance consisting of two or more people dancing as partners in synchronization to a 6 or 8 count beat to musical sounds of Jazz, Soul, Funk, R&B, Neo Soul, or Rapp music." - © Daniel Land SteppersExpress.com all rights reserved

"If it ain't oldskool then its no skool..."
definition: Don't know why people say Chicago style steppin its only Chicago style steppin for one, an it came from the jidderbug to boppin, now steppn an free style was called original steppin then everyone had there own creative way of doin' it I was the first to learn on a count which was a straight 6count later came 8 an 2step 3an soo on now steppin hasn't change the people have so the new skool must look back sum time an show appreciation to the old skool cause without them we would not have this dance ,,, I like this dance an would luv to see it.
Jus my thoughts da TICMAN, new skool legend.....

ORIGINAL" Chicago-Style Steppin's an African-American cultural dance-art form that has a unique appeal; combining the elegance of ballroom dancing with timing and other elements of various hand or social dances.
(Taken from www.truepassionsteppers.com website © 2007)

The above statement is what I believe this dance is all about, and I found myself completely entranced with my 1st lesson!! I found many aspects of this dance are extremely inviting. The sense of community, and fellowship and the music drew me "in!"

While steppin is not segregated to anyone community; it is uniquely historical to the African American community.  Steppin brings together people with a wide array of personalities, perspectives, and passion for this dance-art.  Whether Old school, Original, New School, steppin' continuously evolves and grows; all the while remaining foundationally grounded in the social traditions of partner-dancing.  Steppin' can be altogether rhythmic, elegant, egotistical, smooth, graceful, strong, aggressive, intimate, competitive, and cool all at the same time!  The flair and styles all add enormous complexities to a no, 6, or 8-count repetitive series of "basic" steps carried out to musical selections with what has been called "a stepper's beat."  To me, steppin' is beauty -so beautiful - is my simplest definition! Submitted by Mrs. Fields

I was taught by an old timer, that the Dance is called the Bop, it only becomes stepping when you're able to take the basic pattern of the STEPS and break the rules by changing the pattern and create your own steps without losing the timing while staying in sync with your partner.
Submitted By: Damone Hodges

To me steppin, has become a lifestyle, from the age of 9 I remember watching my momma and her friends have stepper parties and it was much more than a count or any formal definition that has been derived over the years. After a long week of work and stress, we get together to step the night away with our partner whose often our life partner as well. He leads and I follow, with a flick of a wrist I right there following my man and continuing to step thru all of life's trials and tribulations with style, grace and last but not list smoothness (if that's a word).
Let Go and let it flow, ride the beat of the music is what I was taught on the low end, the smoothest steppers in the Chi! Submitted By: Lex

Personal Recollections (View other Personal recollections)
I learned to step in Three Rivers, Mi from young people from Chicago staying with grandparents and other relatives to get them away from the city troubles. I was also from Chicago, but I went to Michigan at the age of 10, before I could learn it. I love to step, and what I love more today is the young people today have given it a new style and spin that is totally beautiful. Although I prefer to do old school, I can follow new school, it's all good. Submitted By: Rodezzy

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