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MSBU Productions was established in 2000 as Milwaukee Steppers and Boppers United. At that time our core membership included individuals who were fluent in both forms of dance. Read More |
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Let’s talk about social dance etiquette and what's happening in the dance community. Read the "MSBU Monthly" produced by Cynthia Robinson Read More |
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Interview with Members of the Milwaukee Steppin Community Down and Dirty
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Steppin is a way of life. This is the common phrase that you will hear around the social dance scene. From Chicago to Atlanta, New York, DC, LA, Phoenix & Milwaukee Steppin has captured the social past time of communities around the United States and starting to emerge around the globe. The beginning of American Social Dance starts in the late 1800’s on the Florida plantations. It’s believed that the idea of the "Cakewalk" came from the African Americans looking at the way the Seminole couples walked together although many of the movements have their roots in African dances. Those that performed the cakewalk were called “Walkers” (sounds familiar) who later morphed the dance into a parody of the ballroom dances.
By the 1930’s Harlem had a culture on the horizon and one of the center points of this culture was the lindy hop. Many dance styles came through the Black community through the years but none captured the imagination and creativity as did the Lindy. The athletic moves performed by the Lindy Hoppers ended as music and culture evolved. In the 60’s the new dance was the Bop. This dance with its roots from the Lindy, encompassed a change of social dance as the era of disco came in. As the disco era left people wanted to dance with each other again “The Bop,” re-emrge now adding footwork and evolving into “Chicago Style Steppin.” |
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Cynthia R, Cynthia W, Lisa S, Peter R. |
