The Steady Steppers Mark 10...Anniversary Celebration Back

May 12, 2013

By Tracey Bivens

I have known Larry Collins for quite some time now and I think that if anyone could say something about him it would be that he is a visionary! On Friday night, The Steady Steppers founders, Larry Collins and Kammal Smith brought together hundreds of celebrants to the Shriners Silver Gardens in Southfield to mark 10 years of steppin instructional classes, workshops on both a local and national level, successful DVD and paraphernalia sales, events in dual states and long lasting friendships made along the way.

This classy event was free and although I think people would have paid top dollar for the dynamic duo, the thoughtfulness was appreciated by all who attended.

DJ KP Kirk Peterson, DJ Hammer and Rockin Rodney Mack took turns as the turntable brothers for the evening. With Rodney Mack’s White Party just weeks away, this was definitely the precursor of what is yet to come in early June.

I spied individuals from of course Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Toledo, Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, Las Vegas, and Chicago (you made it Keith Hubbard!) who have formulated relationships with the Steady Steppers through the years. People came in and out all evening just to make it a point of saying they were they at the affair.

The event, however, catered to not only steppers but ballroomers, boppers, Latin Hustlers and line dancers alike. For me, however, the true dance of the evening came when Larry and Kammal took to the center stage and ran down the history of the Steady Steppers and its affiliations. It’s not very often that I have to correct Larry Collins but he did forget to mention one major point Friday night. The Steady Steppers was the first organization to throw the mega sets in Detroit, Michigan back in I think it was 2003. No organization offered top notch DJs, well-manicured floors, food and drew Chicagoans before The Steady Steppers did at St. George’s. Out of this recipe of "how to do it” came your Ballroom Explosions events, your White Parties, your Detroit Steppers Network gatherings, etc.

Standing on stage with all of the past instructors, current DJs, and other pioneers in the dance world, I marvel at the graciousness of Larry and Kammal as hosts and how humble they are in their successes. Again, I think they were the first that evening to bring everyone on stage that shared a love of the dance and had an affiliation with the members of the group at one time or another. Marked excitement and cheers came when Richard Cochran and Drew Alexander took to the stage to be recognized as past instructors with the Steady Steppers as well as looks of awe when all of the links in the chain were called to the stage. Everyone had to be pleased to see all of us standing together…in unity once again!

The Steady Steppers are a mark of excellence in Detroit’s contribution to dance history and knowing Larry Collins’…this is just the tip of the iceberg!