What is Chicago Steppin?
Steppin is an urban dance that continues to evolve defining its unique style and culture within in the context of mainstream Swing dance. Steppin has gained popularity, particularly but not limited to the urban neighborhoods of America. Steppin makes reference to other urban styles of dance found throughout the United States larger enclaves in cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore and Washington DC. In these and other cities one will find very similar customs and cultures accenting local dance movements which are very similar to movements of the Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Jitterbug and the Shag, just to name a few.
How It started here in Portland?
Instructor: (Danitra Gardner) March 22, 2008 was officially my first time ever instructing "Chicago Style Steppin" here in Portland, Oregon. At that time I had a gentleman partner by the name of Jimmy Horne who also helped with me in teaching Chicago Stepping every Saturday at Whole Foods Wellness Center on 15th and Fremont. How it all started simply by accident! My intentions were to re-introduce Chicago Style Stepping here in Portland, because of a gentleman by the name of "Terrance Kendrick" who first introduced and taught me how to step. His whole goal was to get a community started here to build this dance to shed light on a new style of social dance, and by that alone.... I fell in love instantly. However, years later Terrance left and since then, the steppin community also left.
So the first of the year January of 2008, I decided to bring in an Instructor (Marc Thomas) from Columbus, Ohio who was gracious enough to teach a workshop here in Portland, Oregon. Not many attended that day, but i didn't realize it was just the beginning of a new direction in my life and the art of learning and teaching Chicago steppin! Since then, I have been teaching every Saturday and thank god, class has continued to grow! I am so grateful to God, that he has allowed me to be used! God has allowed me to still serve, teach, build new friendships, and enjoy my passion of the arts...which is Dance!!! God is awesome.
So the first of the year January of 2008, I decided to bring in an Instructor (Marc Thomas) from Columbus, Ohio who was gracious enough to teach a workshop here in Portland, Oregon. Not many attended that day, but i didn't realize it was just the beginning of a new direction in my life and the art of learning and teaching Chicago steppin! Since then, I have been teaching every Saturday and thank god, class has continued to grow! I am so grateful to God, that he has allowed me to be used! God has allowed me to still serve, teach, build new friendships, and enjoy my passion of the arts...which is Dance!!! God is awesome.