World's Largest Steppers Contest Breakdown

You are here > Home

Category Blog

Sun 26 May 2013

World's Largest Steppers Contest Breakdown

Written by Administrator

Monday, 01 October 2012 12:03

Candy Prater and Ed Donaldson take 1st in Beginner's

So much to talk about over the course of the World’s Largest Weekend, but let’s delve right into the contest since I’m pretty sure that what’s on everyone’s mind.

First and foremost, kudos go out to Pete Frazier and his staff of volunteers for a smooth and efficient contest. Everyone thought the contest would be long and boring, but Pete rolled through the contestants and didn’t take an intermission for Chris Youngblood to perform until right before the Trio Category (which was the last category). I talked to a number of people who praised the efficiency of this year’s contest.

Let’s dive in …

Beginners

The Beginner’s Category was won by Ed Donaldson and Candy Prater. I’m not sure about Candy, but I know for sure that Ed Donaldson is a product of Drew Alexander and Sherry Gordon. I teased Ed earlier in the day, telling him that Chicago was coming for him, but he and Candy obviously had other thoughts. Ed and Candy kept it really smooth and showed mastery of all the basic elements of the dance, which is generally what is expected of Beginners. Ed and Candy, Detroit natives, were the Beginning of what turned out to be a Detroit dominated contest.

In second place, William Nealous and Catarina Sawyer performed extremely well also. William and Catarina took a trophy back home to Atlanta, Georgia, shutting Chicago out in the Beginners Category.

Out-of-Town

The Detroit takeover wasn’t only aimed at Chicagoans, all of the other cities got their butts kicked too. Richard Cochran and Ann Hunter, both highly touted prospects coming in to the competition, had a gargantuan task on their hand. They had to figure out how to knock off 3 time defending champion Maurce “Reese” Thomas and Paula Crawford. Well, Richard and Ann went to work on the floor blending precision turns with style and footwork. Their hard work got them the first place and another victory for Detroit.

In second place was ANOTHER Detroit couple, Kammal Smith and Daniella Borum. Now I can’t do anything but praise Kammal’s hardwork in perseverance. Kammal came to Chicago and got his butt kicked in 2005. He came back in 2011 and took 3^rd place with Daniella Borum. Then they turn around and take 2^nd place in 2012. Kammal and Larry Collins have been in the game for years and were among the first groups teaching out of Detroit with the Steady Steppers years ago. It was great to see this brother prevail.

In third place was J. Most and Phyllis Braxton. I'm so used to picturing J. Most singing that you almost forget he's an awesome dancer. J and Phyllis came out with a ton of energy and implemented a few fancy moves to capture the audiences attention. To my knowledge this is the first win for Minnesota, which is awesome considering they've invested tons into the dance bringing instructors in, and traveling around the nation mastering the dance. Minnesota roles deep! I'm sure the state is proud of this duo.

As for Maurice “Reese” Thomas, the 3x champion put forth a valiant effort, donning one of his signature custom pieces, but it didn’t get them the nod. I’m sure he was close however, because I remember thinking he and Paula were smoking on the floor.

Original Old Skool

I’m sure Chicagoans are claiming Tony and Dominique Dow’s first place victory as one very lonesome notch on Chicago’s belt, but the reality is, they’re currently hailing from Los Angeles and they’ve been there for some years now. While we debate that minor fact, we have to focus in on their incredible display of Original dancing. One thing Tony does well is pick music that accentuates his dance. They danced off of an airy old skool record while gliding around the floor blending footwork and turns. Dominique Dow, an established new skooler, took the hip hop out of her dance and kept it smooth and sexy while dancing with her pops.

In second place, two proven veterans, Royce Banks and Danielle Wordlaw represented for Chicago with a solid performance. No slips or fashion blunders this year, just awesome original dancing. Danielle has put on a little weight since her early 2000 victories with Tyk Myn, but her feet are still quick as lighting, her balance is impeccable, and she’s just as graceful as ever. New Skool women should watch her flow.

In third place, the young Detroit phenom Drew Alexander and Chicago veteran Audrey “Uneek” Freeman got the _____ down! To be honest, I didn’t see this couple working when I initially heard they were dancing together. I saw Drew as being high energy and Uneek being really smooth, but in the contest Uneek turned it up a few decibels and gave just as good as she got. Drew was going for history in this contest by being the first person to win first place in every major category. This brought Chicagoans out of the woodwork to keep this from happening.

If there were ever a Category Chicago wanted to win, it was the Original Category. This Category is supposed to represent the dance at its essence. I’m sure the judges had a hard job, but I certainly couldn’t argue with their decision.

Walkers

Devan and Cheryl Powe, a dynamite husband and wife couple of out Atlanta showed the nation what real walking is about. Devan and Cheryl, like Tony and Dominique Dow, are native Chicagoans, but they live and teach in Atlanta so we really can’t claim them anymore. I’ve enjoyed watching this couple walk for years and they, along with Darrell Davis and Charnice Simmons, were among the first people to help me understand the downbeat push associated with REAL walking.

In second place was veteran Bobby Taylor and the most dominate World’s Largest Steppers Contest female in history, “Lady” Margaret Fisher. Margaret told me before the contest that she embraced the notion of “real competition” and looked forward to drawing attention to her and Bobby amidst all of the other couples on the floor. Margaret had previously done a lot of new skool style walking with Andre Blackwell, but it was smart of her and Bobby to realize that classic walking is what was going to win this contest.

Two-time repeating Champion Drew Alexander put up a strong performance with Sharon Bolden, who looked incredible in a sparkling mauve colored dress, but it just wasn’t their night. Sometimes you can do everything right and still not win and that doesn’t mean there was foul play, it just means you had great competition.

Orignal New Skool

Feo Duncan and Candace Hinton were ecstatic to take a first place trophy home to Flint, MI. While Feo and Candace have a painstaking dedication to represent Flint, the nation sees their win as another victory for Detroit. Regardless of where they’re actually from, they’re among the incredible Steppin movement Detroit is experiencing right now, and the city was behind them 100%. As for their dance, they had to be happy to have claimed the victory with no major tricks. The couple is been steadfast on performing without the tricks since they took 3^rd in 2009, and while they’ve won countless smaller contests over these last 3 years, the couple was so happy get their first official World’s Largest contest win. Feo dedicated his victory to his dance mentor Anthony “Tyk Myn” Allen.

Second place was captured by Chicagoans Nikee and Tori Lynch, who used their unique brand of dancing to wow the judges once again. They put on a disco inspired performance that was a ton of fun for the audience to watch. What I love about Nikee and Tori is that although they’re style of performing is polarizing, they always stick to it and find success. You either love what they do or you hate it but you certainly can’t deny it.

As a side note, Feo and Candace and Nikee and Tori have a sort of unspoken rivalry and they always come for each other’s throats in these contests, so it is not a surprise they ended up 1^st and 2^nd this year.

In third place was Alabama’s Jamie Graham and Milwaukee’s Deon Farr. Talk to about a couple full of confidence - you probably won’t find two individuals who believe in themselves and their dance more. Jamie, always hypercritical of himself, called me hours before the contest and asked me who I thought would win every category. Of course he definitely felt he had a solid chance. When I watch Jamie perform he reminds me of Pete Frazier, Andre Blackwell, Westside Mike and a number of others who seem to come alive when he hits the contest floor. His high energy style is always going to attract eyeballs to his dance. And Deon, much slimmer since she placed in Milwaukee’s contest with Drew a couple years back, was extremely light on her feet. She complimented Jamie well and went to work in the contest.

Trio

The trio category definitely saved the best for last. All of the couples were extremely entertaining, but minor flaws and hitches bumped a few of them from contention. Then Drew Alexander, Pat Clay and Tabitha Williams took to the stage. When I tell you they went to absolute WORK you better believe it. Check this out … whenever you see Drew walk on the stage to do a trio, you better be ready. Andre Blackwell, who sat next to me throughout the contest said, “This young dude is absolutely incredible. I’m glad I’m done competing. I’d really have to figure out how to beat him … he comes with the same energy I’m used to come with.” When Drew, Tab, and Pat finished, the crowd rose to their feet. I belted out, “The Trio Category is over. Go ahead and cut them a check.” Dre said, “I’d hate to have to follow them.”

Then, James Pacely, Kammal Smith, and Ann Hunter walked to the stage. I said, “They don’t have a chance of beating Drew’s performance. Dre rebutted, “Shiiitttt. They are about to get down.” Once they got started, Dre looked over at me smiling and said, “I told you so!” The Trio came out dressed in matching suits and ties and performed a flawless execution that for the first time in my knowledge, got a second standing ovation. And get this … Both trios performed to the same song. When it was over, I looked over at Dre and said, “I honestly can’t tell you who won.” Dre then looked back and said, “Me either. Thank God we don’t have to judge this.”

In all, this World’s Largest Steppers Contest and the entire weekend were incredible in my opinion. Everything came off without a hitch, people enjoyed themselves, the crowd was entertained, and aside from a few poor sports who lose and then claim the contest is rigged, there were no controversies this year.

Here is the Breakdown Per City (based on the male lead and the current city of entry)

Detroit

(4) - 1^st place wins
(1) – 2^nd place win
(1) – 3^rd place win

Atlanta

(1) – 1^st place win
(1) – 2^nd place win

Los Angeles

(1) – 1^st place win

Chicago

(3) – 2^nd place wins

Alabama

(1) – 3^rd place win

Minnesota

(1) - 3rd place win

In absolute numbers (meaning where each individual competing was from) …

Detroit took 12 places in the World’s Largest Steppers Contest

Chicago took 7 places

Atlanta took 4 places

Los Angeles took 2 places

Minnesota took 2 places

Alabama took 1 place

Milwaukee took 1 place

Written by :