Chicago Style Stepping by Geno
World Largest 2009 4th place finish
World Largest 2009 4th place finish
In the 1960s, a smoother, less acrobatic form of dance called The bop became popular among blacks, especially in Chicago and Gary. The bop is more of the two-step swing dance, and it remained the most popular type of ballroom-style dancing in the black community through the 1970s. As the name implies, Chicago Style Steppin' originated in the Windy City. Although The bop is more free-style, Chicago Style Steppin' has a distinctive eight-count footwork.
A skilled Chicago Style Stepper such as Geno can make this dance look so smooth on the dance floor that it's easy to forget it takes hours,days,months and years of practice to learn how to get those steps right.
Geno is a third generation stepper and first learned how to step back in 1988 while watching his Grandfather and Big Geno cut a rug, doing what is known today as "Free Style" stepping. Going to the "Rose" (Westside) and seeing brothers step, burned an image in his mind that he can still see today.
The Summer of 1996 or 97 while at Chicago's former hottest stepping spots, Slick Rick's and Strickly Business, Geno met a lady by the name of "Connie" who influenced him to change his style to reflect today's Steppin' Style. Thanks Connie and much love!
While Steppin' is Geno's passion he uprooted and transfered from Chicago to Texas to continue his carrer in Software Engirneering. While in texas he notice there were no Chicago Style Steppers in the state. At that point Geno decided to take presidnet and became the first organization to open doors for teaching and providing a place to Chicago Step. Currently Geno has taught over hundreds of students in DFW area alone
Join us as we continue to be "Simple The Best" in Texas for Chicago Style Steppin'!!