In the interest of full disclosure, I actually do teach a Step class -- Chicago Style Step Online! The following was written two years ago, when that was the furthest thing from my mind. I am still not a Step afficianado because I don't see where the dance has the ability to accomodate a lot of rhythms and stylings (other than super slow and super cool). But, it is a dance, and I learned and respect it like any other dance (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, etc...). My interest in teaching it was based upon the fact that I wanted to connect standard ballroom techniques to a dance that seemed to be sorely lacking in them. You be the judge as to how successful I have been at that.

Subject: Re: [RandBSalsa] Salsa and Cha-Cha Classes Resume This Saturday
From Ron Parker
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 11:07:18 -0800
To Eb McDuffie CC: tosmasalid@sbcglobal.net, Reggie , Michael Carey

Stepping is taught at the Club Hall of Fame at the Hollywood Park Casino on Friday evenings at 7:30. Stepping appears to be derived from the mid-west version of "Bop" (also called "Hop" out west). "Bop/Hop" is a derivation of Lindy Hop (East Coast Swing), which was created by Blacks in New York during the 20's in order to dance to Jazz/Swing music.

Lindy Hop is extremely popular around the country, and there are several venues for it in the Southern California area. However, you won't see it in R & B clubs because it is best danced to Big Band music. "West Coast" Swing, on the other hand, can be danced to a variety of music, and particularly R & B. This is also the official dance of the State of California (I'm not joking!). West Coast Swing is also a direct descendant of Lindy Hop. There is some interesting history on how West Coast Swing developed here: http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/swing.htm

Both Salsa and Cha-Cha are derived from Mambo, whose origins go back to Africa. The Salsa and Cha-Cha danced today, with all the spins and turns and arm stylings, are heavily influenced by Swing and Country Western dances. There are Salsa venues available 7 nights a week in the Los Angeles area. Cha-Cha can be danced not only to virtually every upbeat R & B song ever made, but to a great many Latin tunes. As you know, we also dance Salsa to R & B music as well. In short, both of these dances are danced by many different peoples the world over.

My point? Stepping is cool, but we think Salsa and Cha-Cha are way cooler, and can be danced more often with more people to more different kinds of music. We like Stepping only from the standpoint that it is getting more, younger people in the community interested in partner dancing -- and that, in opinion, is a good thing. Again, if you are interested in Stepping, the Friday class at HPC is popular and has two very good instructors.

-ron

Eb McDuffie wrote:

> Hi,

> > When are you guys going to start teaching stepping ... the dance from R. Kelly's video, step in the name of love. Apparently it's been really popular in Chicago for decades and is making it's way out to the west coast.

> > >> From R and B Salsa

>> To randbsalsa@list.scbbs.com

>> Subject: [RandBSalsa] Salsa and Cha-Cha Classes Resume This Saturday >> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 14:25:41 -0800

>> >> After a two week hiatus, we continue our Salsa / Cha-Cha classes this Saturday, November 22, 2003 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at the Club Hall of Fame in the Hollywood Park Casino (5th Floor). Class fee includes admission to club for dancing afterwards. Come join us -- this ain't your Dad's Cha-Cha!

>> >> See our web site for class location and directions: http://www.RandBSalsa.com

>> >> -R and B Salsa

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