I have been talking to Dione Barnes about traveling to other cities to step for at least 2 years now. I was thrilled to know she finally made up her mind to get to Chicago. It’s always different for a first-timer to the mecca, so I wanted to get her to take on her first trip to Chicago and hope it sheds light on new steppers on what a visit to Chicago means for this community. Dione steps in Chicago and shares all about it.

The Interview

Why did you decide to finally visit Chicago?
Before I went, I started feeling like I still loved the dance, but I was starting to fall out of love with it. I decided to go because this was part of my last effort to see if I was going to take a step back from steppin’ or continue searching for ways to grow in it.

Who were you looking forward to meeting?
I’m always open to meeting new people. I had heard about all of these wonderful Chicagoans with amazing classes like Dave Maxx, Charnice, and Donnie. Of course, I wanted to reconnect with my first teacher Ernest Williams and Jon Green who’d moved back there, but I was more so looking for the Chicago Experience I’d heard about so much.

Trip Planning

How did you plan for your trip to see how you would spend your time in Chicago?
I reached out to the Chicagoans I already knew for their recommendations (Ernest, Jon, Dre Blackwell). Chaundra Satchell had previously told me to contact Royce if I was ever going. So, I contacted him as well.

HIghlights

What was the highlight of your trip?
Wow! Dancing with the suave, older gentleman, Lanell, at the Blue Note on Thursday. Attending Buford Finley’s Walking class on the West Side. Vibing, dancing, and most importantly chatting with DJ Black Cool, Dave Maxx, Brother Carey Muhammad, Reggie Miles, Tina Melendrez, LC Henderson, Jay from Atlanta, and so many other Chicagoans at the 50 and Heroes, who were just so hospitable and cool.

Did this visit extinguish any perceptions of Chicago that people had shared before?
Abso-freaking-lutely! It was nothing like most of the cautionary tales I’d heard. I’d heard if you make a particular error, Chicagoans will get nasty, call you out, walk off the floor, etc-etc. That was not my experience at all. They were kind, patient, and friendly. Even if they offered advice when they could feel me getting tense from overthinking, it was all love. Most did not. We just danced.

What is that one thing you won’t forget about this trip?
The people and the vibe of the city. The city of Chicago low-key romanced me.

Learning to Walk

So you took Buford Finley’s walking class.  Tell us about it.
Oh. My. First of all, Buford is my kind of person – kind, direct, and knowledgeable. It clicked to me in his class, why they say, “To be a great Stepper, you have to know how to walk.” He’s smooth. He’s observant. He corrects when necessary, and not for his ego’s sake. He dances in walking, not get down dancing, but it’s more than mirroring your partner and swaying. The way he moves in the walk is seamless and pure smooth.

What is your word of advice for the next stepper who is looking to make their first visit to Chicago?
Just go. Sooner than later. Yes, you may feel like it’s different, but it’s not foreign.  Some differences you may only be able to feel, and won’t be able to verbally identify now. Go now, and put the pieces to the puzzle together later.