The History of the Chicago Dance Style Known as Steppin’ From the 1940s to Today

“Chicago is the steppin’ capital of the world.” That’s a phrase coined by local DJ Sam Chatman, also known as the Godfather of Steppin’. And though the dance craze’s popularity has spread far and wide, no one can do it quite like the hometown originators. Chicago steppin’ originated in the 1940s as a style of dancing called bopping, but evolved into steppin’ after Chatman noticed a friend breaking away from his partner and walking back toward her. Chatman then took to the mic and encouraged his friend to “step on.” Soon after, Chatman began printing the phrase on posters and flyers and it caught on quickly. For several years, “Love’s Gonna Last” by Jeffree was the national steppin’ anthem, according to Chatman. The song was not instantly popular. According to Chatman, it did not become a hit record until several years after it was created, but once it blew up, Chatman and his peers reached out to Jeffree and brought him to Chicago. Crossing paths with artistic icons seemed to be a running theme for the steppin’ scene. West Side native Mary Harris, also known as Black Mary, had encounters with The Jackson Five, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, The Dells and The Four Tops. Harris put on steppin’ events for 62 years, starting when she was 17. Harris joined a dancing social club and went through all the popular dancing phases from the jitterbug, to bopping, to steppin’ and finally high steppin’. “The first event I put on was on Madison Street, right off Pulaski at a place called the Red Top,” Harris said. “We sold tickets for 50 cents, wrote on index cards and passed them out, about 300 of them.” The themes varied from red light parties, waistline parties and even mardi gras themes. For 14 years she hosted parties at the local 399 union hall. Harris, like most dancers at the time, learned how to step from watching the footwork. She watched her parents practice before leaving for a party. At steppin’ events attendees could expect to hear good “dusty” music, eat good food and see high fashion. Chatman also coined the phrase “steppers sharp” — another promoting tool. Attendees would arrive in their best clothing from head to toe. “Guys would go and get their shoes spit shine because they had to be sharp because everyone would look at their feet,” Chatman said. “And they always kept their hats on because it was part of the outfit.” Paying attention to the footwork is key to the movements of steppin’. At first glance it could appear as a simple side-to-side shuffle, but it requires far more flavor and grace. “When we talk about steppin’, it’s not just steppin’, it’s walking,” Chatman said. “Some guys specialize in walking, and walking is nothing but walking, but they’re so graceful with it.” The chemistry between the partners needed to be there even when the two separate and spin back into each other. The continuous flow is what makes this style of dance so elegant and popular. Cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Atlanta and even Paris picked up on Chicago steppin’. It continues to transcend over time. “And as long as they keep Black Mary’s dream alive, I can go anywhere in the world and do my dance,” Harris said. #ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews #dance #dancing #blackhistory #chicago #steppin #stepping