Chicago-Style Stepping, or “Steppin'”
combines the elegance of ballroom dancing with timing and other elements of various hand or social dances.
Steppin' has its roots embedded in the traditional African American originated dance movements that evolved into a modernized swing dance. The bop is more likely a derivative of the jitterbug and Lindy hop dances.
The bop's origin began sometime during 1945--1950 to express eastern-styled swing dance. The dance known as Chicago steppin' came to be known as the "Chicago bop.” Chicago-stepping describes the usage of a lane or slot styled dance form by Chicagoans in the early 1970s. (The west coast swing and New York Hustle are other forms of slotted partner dancing.) Steppin's birth and unique rhythm became prominent while the disco and the New York Hustle was popular in social dance.
The official summary of steppin' is:
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' tidbits found at: Rock City Unique Steppers
More incredible personal recollections are found at Stepper's History. Add stories of your own, as well....
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