A Stepper With a Cause-Patrice Pye Back

Oct 15, 2012

By Tracey Bivens

There have been steppers in recent years to raise awareness to many social, medical and political issues surrounding our country. You have Donald Blount out of Atlanta who has made a concerted effort to let the steppin community know how important it is for steppers to participate in the presidential election. Mykel and Deon Farr of Milwaukee, who brought awareness to autism and others. Patrice Pye, out of Detroit, can be added to that list by bringing awareness to Breast Cancer. Her Facebook page takes advantage of informing the general public about her mother who battles the disease which is in the Stage IV process but Patrice Pye has more layers to unveil. I know that I said I would focus on the WLSC 2012 winners but to me, I want to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce you to a woman who is currently weathering tumultuous storms one and the other in her life but continues to bring a gorgeous smile to the dance floor and to everyone she interacts with every time. To me…Patrice Pye is a winner on all accounts!

 

Tracey: This is strange because of the friendship that I have with you because I know a lot of the answer already but I feel like you have a story to tell, Reecee. Can you tell the readers why Breast Cancer Awareness is important to know and talk about…especially in a dance community where people use dance as escapism of these type of "real life” issues?

 

Patrice: As you stated earlier my mother is currently battling BC and she has been in Stage IV for 3years. My mother was vibrant, full of life and super healthy. She was the one to encourage me to exercise, eat right and focus on a healthy lifestyle. She did not smoke, drink or indulge in an unhealthy lifestyle and BAM....she was diagnosed with this dibilitating disease, in its most destructive stage. In the dance community there are so many people battling or have a loved one battling this disease and they need encouragement, love and support. This disease takes the lives of more black women verses any other ethnic group. As you so eloquently stated…dancing is a form of 'escapism' and we don't know what they are escaping from. As a community we need to nurture and support those escaping from issues that they just cannot control; dancing can offer that support.

 

Tracey: You are always saying how dance is therapeutic for you. A lot of people say it should just be about having fun. Whose right?

 

Patrice: I think both are correct. I say this because each individual handles/deals with situations within their lives differently. For me, dancing was initially a 'fun' activity; I was able to exude a type of feminity in a sensual way when dancing that I could not express in any other way. I would also say that it was a form of 'freedom.' I was able to freely demonstrate how I interpreted the music. Now, almost 15 years later, with a fatherless son, ill mother and a pending divorce, my life has had its share of 'ups & downs' but my spirit remains strong. Dancing now helps me to deal with the sometimes, 'unfortunate' obstacles that I face on a daily basis; it is now a type of therapeutic cleansing.


Tracey: You are one of the original members of one of Detroit’s first instructional and social steppin organizations, Centerstage Productions. The time was around 2004…I think…when you left the steppin scene completely, got married, focused on raising your son, and then returned to the dance floor around 2010. You have been very vocal about your views on the community and how it was dysfunctional back then because of all of the rifts between the people and the organizations. Is that still your opinion of this community?

 

Patrice: When I decided to exit the dance scene I was newly married, working on my doctorate degree and experiencing death from an extremely high magnitude within my family. I was mentally, physically and spiritually drained; I had to focus on me & my family and being/participating in the dancing scene was requiring a great deal of time, effort, energy and strength (none of which I had at the time). To answer your question, Tracey, there will always be 'rifts' within any community, society, etc because we are all human beings; it is in our make-up. The dance community is no different. Of course there continues to be rifts but they seem to have decreased drastically, since I last remembered.

 

Tracey: You are one of the female steppers who has her own unique style in place. We are in a time when women struggle with finding their own "swag.” How did it come about for you?

 

Patrice: I'm Old School; lisening to the music and more importantly…feeling the words and rhythm of the music takes me into another zone. When I dance, I become engulfed in the melody and the sensuality of the music. I become one with the music; its as if it takes over my soul. Usually, when you are really 'feeling' the music you close your eyes, sway back & forth, roll your hips and what you call 'swag' takes over! (Laughing)

 

Tracey: I think many people would agree that you represent the diva side of steppin in that you always exemplify femininity from head to toe from actions to words. As the big sister to Drew Alexander and Richard Cochran…two young male steppers who have a significant amount of attention from men, women and money. All this being thrown their way after winning major categories in this year’s WLSC 2012, what kind of advice are you giving them?

 

Patrice: I always tell them to be HUMBLE and respectful of all dances; that is so important. I stress to them to be supportive of others in their 'dancing' quest. I explain to them how important it is for them, as instructors especially, to actually INSTRUCT…insuring their students are getting something out of their instruction; have structure and not to make dancing their lives. Family, friends, school and employment should be their priorities… not running around trying to out-dance the whole world!. As for the women aspect, I tell them that being promiscuous in this community can be pretty dangerous. From a personal perspective, sex is an intimacy where transfer of spirits take place. These are my personal beliefs, you take on the spirits of the person you are sexually intimate with so if you are intimate with various individuals....do you want to take on the MANY different spirits within this dance community???? I'm always advising them on humility, integrity and responsibility; be a man of your word…not this dance!

 

Tracey: Would you say you were a cheerleader of sorts? The reason why I ask that is because you are the "hugger” that comes into the club and acknowledges everyone with a smile and a friendly thought.

 

Patrice: I am proud to be a 'hugger,' 'supporter' ,'encourager' and a cheerleader for those that put in the work. People always ask me, 'why don't you compete?' I tell them because people usually come out to enjoy themselves, socialize and have fun. After you compete it seems the dance becomes less of a community environment and more of a competition showdown. From the time I could talk… I was involved in talent shows, stage plays and all areas that dealt with showmanship. After winning, losing, crying, arguing, laughing and blaming; it felt less like a community and more like an emotional rollercoaster after college! A big part of a 'community' is a sense of togetherness and caring about one another. Within this dance community I have the priviledge to know a lot of people and most of them are always kind, considerate and pleasant; 'hugging, encouraging, supporting and cheering are all the ways I can give back.

 

Tracey: Evangelist Monique Caldwell out of Milwaukee organized a very successful 10 hour dance marathon and campaign called "Step and Think Pink” after losing a very dear friend to breast cancer. Are you prepared to lead the charge in Detroit to get steppers off the dance floor and onto the "humanitarian” floor if you will?

 

Patrice: I sincerely want and plan to. You and I both participated in this years’ Breast Cancer Walk and it was so inspirational for me. Following the walk I had a conversation with Drew about possibly planning a Breast Cancer event next October! I want the ladies of the dance community to pull together and make this an annual event. It is going to take a lot of work but I think we, steppin/dance community, should also be social leaders because we effect so many. I have always respected Upscale Dance Productions out of Detroit for being an organization that supports causes and gives back; I hope to do that as well.

 

Tracey: If you could change one thing about the Detroit steppin community right now, what direction would you have it going towards and why?

 

Patrice: I had to really think about my response before I answered. I always try to remain true to myself without feeling as if I have to 'sugarcoat' anything. I try to be a woman of integrity, poise and grace. I am FAR from perfect and never claim to be a great dancer but I try to be the best all-around-dancer that I can be. I wish that the Detroit Steppin Community would focus more on working together and engaging in positive communication amongst one another. We have to stop all of these little 'rifts' and focus on molding, growing and nurturing a culture of true 'community'…not a superficial community of people who act as if they care about one another and then behind close doors 'brow-beat' each other into submission. I pray for this dance community to florish into a place of instructional & social harmony as well as community bliss; this is I say from my heart. Peace and Blessings Detroit Steppin Community.

 

I can’t speak more highly of an individual than I can of Patrice. She has been a peer mentor, a fashion consultant and more importantly… a friend to me over the years. Although Patrice has not gone anywhere, I believe in giving a person their flowers while they are still alive and I take this time to present a bouquet of perseverance, strength, compassion, faith, laughter and love.

I Love Steppin 16th Year Anniversary