The biggest steppers family reunion was held on Sunday August 24, 2008. Don Vic Productions to presented Chicago Original Style Steppers' first annual BBQ at Washington Park. For many years, the Majestic Gents would host the annual steppers picnic, but this year, they were in collaboration with many others for the cookout. Along with them, V-103's Casper, Just Friends, Classic 5, Foxettes, Desi's Hair Salon, Sam Chatman, Bernard Stepper's Store, Gator Bradley United in Peace Inc., Jerry O. Simmons, William Brown, Dr. Feel Good, Diane and Norman, Sandra and Smooth Heard, Earl Simmons and Good Time Productions who also hosted the after party at the Marmon Grand.
Washington Park is the proposed site of the Olympic Stadium for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic. As for the steppers picnic, trying to find the exact location in this 372 acre park was not hard. All I had to do was follow the sounds of stepping music, the smell of BBQ, and soon I saw the crowd. Cars and motor cycles lined the streets of Cottage Grove Ave and Midway Plaisance. DJ Sam Chatman was providing the music and I found Cynthia Bean in her usual spot close by the DJ booth. There was so much gaiety and glee happening on this sunny afternoon, I started singing the family reunion song. So many steppin' greats from past and present were out with tents, grills, children, and parents for this open air outing. In some areas there were card games in some areas and another and massages in others, where Cynthia Shanks was trying to work on Don Vic's strained neck muscle, and of course steppin' ... in the grass, on the dirt bike path and just about anywhere you wanted to get your step on, people where steppin'.
While walking around meeting and greeting with my good friend Nychia Paramore, she introduced me to Ken Bedford of ABCAP, inc, who gives a yearly Breast Cancer Awareness Gala in memory of his wife Anaia. Along with him was Greg Minifield who invited me out to the Marmon Grand this Thursday for a Barack Obama fund raiser and stepper's set. They told me I've been missing out on the real fun after work on Thursdays, so I'll go check it out this week. Calvin Barnes, who was a motivator to my stepping game many years ago at Kennedy King College, stopped me and gave me the most endearing compliment saying "you are still a beauty, even more today, than when I last saw you." Thanks Mr. Barnes, you are still a genuine gem of a gentleman.
As I was chatting with Marguette "Jett" Coleman, her two sisters, Sherri and Lynn Hudson, rode up on their motor cycles, and Marguette suggested Chistepper do a story on steppers who now ride bikes. I have great memories of the first time I met Lynn back in her steppin' hay-days at an after hours club called "The Other Place." The greatest trio of all time, Dre, Tykman and Lynn, were on the dance floor and being a newbee, I thought they invented this form of dancing. Those were the good ole days. Marguette also informed me that they are the only sisters to have double winning titles in the World Largest Steppers Competition. I give credit to Jett and Darrell as well for my original steppin' foundation of teaching me to dance to the smooth steppin' rhythm. As dusk was approaching and I was preparing to leave, Greg (Majestic Gents) told me that Wednesday, August 27 he will be another year younger. Happy Birthday Mr. Richardson.
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