Every year Step-Alive hosts an annual Black Tie Affair. This year however, they’ve upped the ante with a staggering $45,000 Stepper Competition. ChiStepper had a few questions about the contest, but you’ll have to go read all of the rules for yourself. I found that the more questions I asked, the more that came to mind. Here’s a few answers to get you started however.
T. Pratt (TP): Hi Cynthia and Stan. It’s great to have you back on ChiStepper.com. Let’s get right to it. You have a $45,000 Steppers Contest coming up on April 30th. That’s a lot of money. The last time we saw that kind of money put up for a Steppers Contest it was Loose Shoes in 2006. The contest purported that it would give out $60,000 in cash and very few contestants, if any got paid. What’s different about this contest?
Cynthia Shanks and Stanford Bailey (CS): First, I was never aware of the particulars of the Loose Shoes contest, who was involved or who hosted it. This contest is given by STEP-ALIVE, nfp. It only has one category, the Original Chicago Style of Steppin’. Isn’t that what’s being taught around the country?
TP: There’s a registration fee of $75 per couple. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a registration in a Steppers contest. Was an entrance fee created to limit the number of Steppers that enter?
CS: The registration fee was not set to limit the number of Steppers entering, but to more or less ensure that the registered participants would not pay an entry fee if they did not know how to Step based on the rules set by STEP-ALIVE, nfp.
TP: You have a 55 and Over age bracket. I notice a lot of promoters catering to older Steppers’ contest complaints, but I don’t see a lot of older Steppers actually participating in the contest. Do you really think that some of the great Steppers from years past will come out of retirement to compete?
CS: First, let me say all of Chicago’s greatest steppers did not and do not compete. Some just love the dance and watching other compete. As for older steppers competing in other competitions, there was never an age bracket or a single category before. We now have more couples registered for the 55 and over age bracket than the two younger age brackets, but all are still welcome to register.
TP: There’s been a lot of conversation about the older Steppers having a sense of entitlement to promoter’s functions. That is to say, they don’t like to pay. Simply put, will the older Steppers be willing to fork over a $75 registration fee?
CS: As we have stated, we have more older contestants registered than younger. Can you tell me why that is? We just want to show Chicago Style Stepping at its best, if possible. Will Chicago Steppers let the out-of-town contestants come in and win out over the Original Chicago Steppers?
TP: Step-Alive has been doing great work in the Chicago Public School system. I know that you all are extremely organized and have a full dance curriculum. Is there a broader mission to the Step-Alive Competition and all of the events surrounding the competition?
CS: Thank you, yes we do have a broader mission. The mission of Chicago Style Steppers LLP and the vision of STEP-ALIVE, nfp is basically one of the same. Our program “Basically Stepping and Mentoring” has visions of mentoring to our youth in areas of essential life skills while teaching them the Art of Stepping. These skills allow youth to partner with one another as ladies and gentlemen, with the respect and sensitivity needed to sustain a pleasant environment. The structured art form of this program has been used as an antidote and social alternative to anti-social behavior, [as well as] giving our youth something to pass along to their children in their time.
TP: I know one of the key functions of Step-Alive’s mission is to bring Steppin’ to “One Accord.” Is this the reason why you eliminated all of the tricks and dips from the competition and made it Original Style Steppin’ only?
CS: “One Accord” references the basic steps of Stepping, which we believe should be taught the same way regardless of the count used or the instructor teaching. Tricks and dips and dragging your partner across the floor and between your legs was always used in the Freestyle Category of the Original Budweiser’s V 103 World’s Largest Steppers Contest, held throughout the 1990’s strictly for entertainment and it didn’t matter what steps or props were used during their performance. As always in the Original Chicago Style of Stepping Category, couples were never allowed to use the tricks and dips nor remove both feet from the floor at the same time, or dance away from their partner for more than 10 seconds. I have been blessed by the grace of God, to be able to share the knowledge and information through the experience of not only being there as a contestant but also as a multiple winner, culminating my years of competition by winning the first Masters Category in 1996.
TP: I notice that you have an entire workshop curriculum. Will Step-Alive teach all of the workshops or will you bring any outside instructors in?
CS: Yes we do have an entire workshop curriculum. It’s taught over a 3 day period, 18 to 21 hours of intense continuing education in the art of Stepping and other related techniques for teaching and mentoring. STEP-ALIVE has always invited Chicago Steppin’ instructors in the previous years as guest instructors, two accepted each of the last two years and have incorporated our method of teaching within their framework. We have an acceptance from two well known instructors for this year. Guest instructors are invited whom we think can share their skills and knowledge of the dance with other instructors, while learning to appreciate and incorporate the basic style of our teaching the basic steps and mentoring methods.
TP: How did you choose your radio partner, Chicago’s Smooth 87.7 FM?
CS: Through a mutual friend that thought what we were doing and the direction Chicago Smooth 87.7FM is headed in, we would be perfect partners. So with God’s grace here we are.
TP: Tell the Steppers where and when you’re teaching classes these days.
CS: Under the Chicago Style Steppers LLP we hold our adult classes on Monday and Wednesday at the Southside Y.M.C.A. 6330 S. Stony Island Ave from 7 to 9pm. Classes are $20 per class or $95 for six classes if paid in advance. Leather sole shoes required.
Saturday’s are reserved for our STEP-ALIVE teen youth program, also held at the Southside Y.M.C.A. Registration for this FREE program “Basically Stepping and Mentoring” will be open through the 26th of March 2011. All outside YMCA functions or events must be covered through parental funding.
TP: Who should the Steppers reach out to should they have questions or concerns?
CS: Please feel free to contact me, Cynthia Shanks at 773.600.3698. I’d love to answer any questions or concerns.
TP: I wish you all the best on such a courageous endeavor. Are there any closing thoughts?
CS: Chicago Style Steppers young and old, near and far, let’s take it to the dance floor for your share of $45,000.00 in prizes. Thanks T.P.
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