The same night as Sunshine's 40th birthday party at Club What's Up, Just Us Productions were also celebrating Dave Maxx's birthday at the Dorchester.  Long gone are the days when Just Us struggled to fill the room at the Gentle Persuasion.  Rochella, Andrea, and Mellow Khris put together an aggressive street team, advertised with ChiStepper, and added some key members to the group including Darrell Davis among others, and now they're off to the races.  Even through Rochella's terrible house fire, the group has survived and continued to thrive.

I had a blast this past weekend in the ATL where ChiStepper and Sister 2 Sister magazine’s Jamie Foster Brown was on hand for Radio Hall of Fame and V-103 on air personality Herb Kent’s book signing. Herb Kent’s book is called, “The Cool Gent: The 9 Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent.” The first book signing was at a club called “Atlanta’s Figure 8” and was sponsored by an awesome gentleman named Tony Robinson of Boy-Z Records. My girl Linda Thomas arranged the entire weekend and she brought her friend Priscilla (Rick James’

I have to be honest, I coaxed myself into dropping this musical jewelry on you this week.  Something in me kept saying, "T, don't put 'em on to this Isaac Hayes joint ...

It was my first time in the Green Dolphin, one of Chicago’s classic Jazz Nightspots, since my days of rummaging around DePaul University’s campus in Lincoln Park. I was told that Les Nubians manager Angela would meet me and take me back to speak with the ladies. So when I walk to the bar, I’m greeted by a gorgeous young lady that smiles and says, “Hello.” I said, “Hi, I’m here for Les Nubian.” Then I look again, slightly embarrassed, and say, “Wait, it’s you Celia.” She laughs, confirms that it is ind

Later on that night
Sparkle and Eve have just made it to the club. Candi is nervous about coming since Mike had practically forbid her from going out, but she is curious about Sparkle’s suspicions.

Eve is tickled pink about Mike picking her up and bringing her to the club with him. She put a lot of effort into being sexy for him, and can only hope that it pays off.  She has even gone as far as to attempt to style her hair and makeup in the same way that she thought Candi would.

As I was headed to Atlanta for Herb Kent's booking signing on Thursday, ChiStepper writer Tracey Bivens called me up and among other things, reminded me that Orbies finals were Thursday night.  She said, "You know Drew and Keesha are headed down there to collect that money, right?"  I had no clue that they entered Orbies contest, but I concurred that young Drew and LaKeesha would give anybody fits in a contest.

T. Pratt (TP): Nicole, you're the first to kick off our Business Spotlight Series, which will focus on Steppers in business.  To be honest though, it's not just any Stepper in business, but those companies that have been kind enough to network or share with ChiStepper.com in some way or another.  It's no secret why I chose you first ... you write for ChiStepper.com.

The 19th Annual International Steppers Competition (World's Largest) is hosting a New Skool Original preliminary tonight at Mr. G's.  This category is not 39 and Under, it's an open category.  The Gents would also like for everyone to know that they will keep the 40 and Over category the same. After some consideration, Pete acknowledged that the New Skoolers have to age someday, and that the complexion of the contest may change as today's New Skoolers transition into being tomorrow's old skoolers.

Atlanta stand up! ChiStepper will be in the ATL this weekend, July 24th - July 26th to co-host Radio Hall of Fame & V-103 personality Herb Kent's book signing.  Herb is a dusties legend in Chicago and around the world, and "The Cool Gent" as we know him, even has a street named after him in Chicago.  The Saturday book signing will take place from 1 - 3pm at Atlanta's Figure 8 (see upcoming events page for full details).

I’d been telling Sunshine for 2 months that I wasn’t going to make it to her party – for the 3rd consecutive year. I was supposed to be at the Indiana Black Expo this weekend working, but the trip fell through about a month ago. I wanted to surprise the little lemon drop, so even when she called to make absolutely sure that I couldn’t make it, I stuck to my story.   Around 7pm I headed out, but made a brief stop at The Dorchester, because I heard that Dave Maxx was celebrating a birthday there (more on that story later). Well, Dave

Talk about a tough match up, this Gladys Knight vs.

After hanging up the phone, Eve is delighted that she will actually walk in the set arm in arm with Mike. She knows that the gossip mill will start turning as soon as they walk in.  

Eve: (Talking aloud) I just hope that enough people see me get out of the car and walk in with him. I can’t wait for Candi to find out about it. (Giggling) I wonder if there is away that I can ensure that she’ll show up anyway…

Eve picks up the phone to call Sparkle.

Sparkle: Hello

I knew it was only a matter of time before the proverbial $h!t hit the fan about the Master's Category changes.  As I pulled back from my laptop to head off to lunch, a disgruntled Tyk Myn hit me on the horn to share his thoughts on Pete Frazier's Master's Category revision last night.  Tyk says, "T, I've been seriously working on my Walking game to have a chance against guys like Magic Mike, Haywood, and Easy in that portion of the contest.  Then, to take the Trio category out because a lot of the older Steppers haven't done it is a bad move.  This is a M

Tonight there are two sets of contest prelims, with the finals for the Orbies contest taking place in Hammond, IN, and the first 40 and Over Prelim for the World's Largest Steppers Contest taking place at the Marmon Grand, in the south loop of downtown Chicago.  With this being the first prelim for the 40 and Over crowd and the last prelim for the Orbies Contest, chances are that Steppers will gravitate to Orbies.

Tonight there are two sets of contest prelims tonight, with the finals for the Orbies contest taking place in Hammond, IN, and the first 40 and Over Prelim taking place at the Marmon Grand, in the south loop of downtown Chicago.  With this being the first prelim for the 40 and Over crowd and the last prelim for the Orbies Contest, chances are that Steppers will gravitate to Orbies.

The 50 Yard Line was packed yesterday for the very first Chicago World's Largest Steppers Contest Beginners Category preliminary.  Three couples entered including Michael Thornton and partner Kris, Big Tim "Step Chylld" and Angela, and the first place couple Marcus and Ekisha.  Corey, or DJ C Smooth, was on the box spinning records, and he did well.  It was my first time hearing Corey dee jay, and his style on this night was straight up new skool.  The tempo was high to mid all night, and while he slid in a couple of clas

ChiStepper was in Cleveland this weekend for the Gentlemen of Ballroom’s 3rd Annual “Steppin’ In Linen” affair, and as usual, the fellas didn’t disappoint. The entire event was held at the Crown Plaza Hotel located downtown Cleveland, and while the Friday meet and greet was light, the Saturday night main event was packed. What I’m impressed with, is that the Gentlemen of Ballroom always manage to pull off a nice set, albeit facing off with mega-set’s in Chicago. One year they went up against The Majestic Gents, and this yea

I don't know if this one was as tough for you as it was for me.  Do I chose the sexy old skool banger by Kool and the Gang, or the track that epitomized the Summer Time's of my childhood by Fresh Prince.  In my current state, I'm much more Kool and the Gang, but Fresh Prince is tugging at me for nostalgia's sake.  I'm going to have to let you all decide this one.  I'm staying out of it!