capitalcitysteppers, Apr 19, 2010 Cheryl
"Sugarfoot" Powe (Sistas in
Sync) and Rick Wetherspoon (Chicago, IL) Steppin' in Greenville, NC.
This pancocojams post showcase one video of four couples social dances that came from various African American communities : The Philly Bop, Chicago Stepping, & Detroit Ballroom, & Washington D.C. Hand Dancing. *
Comments from these videos' discussion threads may also be included in this pancocojams post.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural,entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
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*Editor's Notes:
Showcasing these particular videos doesn't mean to imply that this is the only way that these dances were performed or are performed now. There are multiple ways to perform these dances in the same time period within the same city, and in different time periods within different cities and states. Furthermore, there are different names for the same and similar dance movements dependant on where you live/d and when you lived there.
**
Chicago Stepping isn't the same as the steppin'[g] that originated with and is still most closely associated with historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR SHOWCASE VIDEO #1: CHICAGO STEPPING
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only.)
1. gerald ferguson, 2010
"This couple is SMOVVVVEEE with it...FOR REAL!!"
**
2. Lawona Gibson, 2011
"do anyone know the song they're steppin to"
**
Reply
3. Sharvin Whitted, 2011
"Willie Hutch - I Can Sho Give You Love"
**
4. Morning Push, 2021
"Rick is one of Chicago's best, I always enjoyed my dances
with him!"
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OTHER SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in alphabetical order based on the name of the dance that is being performed
DETROIT BALLROOM DANCING (also known as "Detroit Urban Ballroom")
Smooth Detroit Ballroom
DANCING IN THE BASEMENT, Jan 11, 2014
Just having fun with some smooth Detroit-Style Ballroom. You can do this dance on almost any song. It's fun and a great exercise. I find that when I am feeling down, I dance. I turn up the music and try to lose myself in the dance and song. You should try it. It does help.
Song - Don't Take It Personal (Extended Version)
Artist - Jermaine Jackson
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Selected comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsBczebbw0A&t=50s
1. Mrsbruner, 2013
"Y'all so smoove wit it!"
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2. kmaza, 2016
"Very elegant...."
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3. Melvin Jordan, 2019
"Thanks for representing the “D”, looking marvelous!!!"
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4. Ter E Rucks, 2019
"I may be from the Chi, but I like the Detroit Ballroom. lol"
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THE PHILLY BOP
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Smooth and Silky
Franklin Riley, Dec. 2, 2015
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Here are selected comments from the video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRZdBkK25pY&t=245s
1. Oscar Mason, 2018
"What is the name of that song that steppin on?
Reply
2.
"Song title is Leon Huff, I Ain't Jivin I'm Jammin."
**
3. Askia Sabur, 2019
"Yeeeeeaah West Philly in the Longhouse. Indians boppin for
life."
**
4. Dweight Beverly, 2020
"Silky Smooth...now that's what dancing is.."
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5. nellybops, 2021
"My grandson tries to teach me all the time but she never has
patience because she’s trying to get down lol! But I will learn how to bop..
And that will include the South Philly bop too! Lol! There is a difference."
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Here's a summary statement about the Philly Bop from a YouTube video entitled "The Philly Bop Dance at Traveler's Motorcycle Club" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iIZPXFM0Ks&t=18s, published by RaleauSalsa, Jan 15, 2014
"The Philly Bop is the popular signature dance of Philadelphia and is really fun and easy to do. The philly bop originated in the 1920's in the streets of West Philadelphia as a smooth variation of the east coast swing. It features a 6-count step (double step, double step, step-step) and is danced primarily to Motown music. Just about everbody in Philadelphia who's over 40 years old and who grew up in Philly know how to do this dance!"
**** WASHINGTON D.C. HAND DANCINGDeonna Ball, May 10, 2015 National Hand Dance Association ~ NHDA
Song 1 of 4: It's Your World
Song 2 of 4: The Twist
Song 3 of 4: Cool Jerk
Song 4 of 4: Little Richard - album "True Fine Mama" -snip- Here are selected comments from the video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
Nothing like the ole school back in the day bop, etc !!!!!!
💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣🤗🤗🤗😍😍🤩
Had to add this .
I remember back in the day when a couple was on the dance
floor doing the bop or whatever , others would cut in .
Was no big deal , just fun !!
Now days , lord have mercy , you will get shot if you cut in
!!!
No more fun !!!
SMH
I really enjoyed this video 🤗" ** 2. Carole St. louis "👍🏽 love it👏🏽❤️.
Where is this place ? Is it Atlanta?"
** Reply 3.Korin Nicole "Washington DC" ** 4. James Browne "I love the foot movement" ** 5. Barlee "What I wouldn’t give to just watch the oldest and the best during covid! When it comes to hand dancing or any of its relatives, age matters like it does for whisky or wine..." **** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.
