Welcome to the WLSC 2024 page at StepintheChi.org – the steppers’ source for information about the World’s Largest Steppers Competition in Chicago. Here you can find information about most things Worlds Largest. Find information on:
- Contest Rules and Categories for 2024 (coming soon)
- World’s Largest 33rd Annual Preliminaries Schedule and Dates
- Videos from Contestants
- Interviews with WLSC contestants from the livingthe8count blog
- The winning history of the World’s Largest Steppers Contest
StepintheChi.org, livingthe8count.com, and/or all of its affiliates are not sponsors of the World’s Largest Competition but we love to talk about all things WLSC and to share information for the contestants and contest supporters.
About the World’s Largest Steppers Competition
The social dance Chicago Stepping has spread across the United States into many cities nationally and a few internationally, but the roots and essence of what stepping is stay in Chicago. You may find stepping contests in other cities like Minnesota, Houston, Detroit, and Milwaukee, but the largest steppers contest that pulls the best of the best ready to make a claim and show their stuff is the World’s Largest Steppers Competition in the mecca of stepping, Chicago. On September 21, 2024, this annual event organized by Pete Frazier and the Majestic Gents returns to showcase contestants on the big stage at the Tinley Convention Center. This is the 33rd year for this contest and performances are based and judged on originality, synchronization, footwork, and appearance. The WLSC 2024 contest will be judged across different contest categories.
WLSC Weekend Schedule
To be announced.
2024 Contest Categories for Steppers
There are five categories for contestants to compete in for WLSC 2024.
- Beginners Category. Beginners should have less than 2 and ½ years of total dance time. Beginners are judged on the Old Skool Original rules. The judges for this category will be the Original Old Skool judges, so plan your dance accordingly. Emphasis For Beginners Will Be Placed On:
- Timing and coordination
- Synchronization with partner
- Mastering basic turns and basic footwork
- The initial development and/or foundation of a unique style
- New Skool Category. While this category shares many of the same elements as the Original Category, the Original New Skool category differs with respect to the emphasis placed on Turns, Dips, and Drops. While dips and drops are not required or preferred over creative dancing in the Original New Skool Category, they will not be frowned upon. Routines are also acceptable in this category, as long as the basic pattern of Steppin’ exists. The New Skool Original category will be judged by Steppers who began dancing after 1995, so plan your dance accordingly.
- Old Skool Category. Original Steppers should be masters of all the basic elements of the dance. The emphasis in this category will be placed on fancy footwork, pulling the female dance partner in close while Steppin, and overall style and rhythm. Turns are accepted but dips and drops will result in deductions in this category. Timing, Style, Footwork, Close Dancing, and Slow Bopping are all elements of original style dancing. Routines will be frowned upon in the Original Category. The Original Category will be judged by dancers with 25 Years of experience or more, so structure your dance accordingly.
- 60 & Over Category. There are no rules posted
- Walkers Category. There are no rules posted
- Trios Category. There are no rules posted
WLSC 2024 Contestants List
To be announced
BEGINNER’S CATEGORY
- TBD
60 & OVER CATEGORY
- TBD
OLD SCHOOL CATEGORY
- TBD
TRIOS CATEGORY
- TBD
NEW SKOOL CATEGORY
- TBD
WALKER’S CATEGORY
- TBD
Preliminaries Schedule for WLSC 2024
Preliminaries are held across different cities in the Midwest, East Coast, and West Coast in the summer months between June and August. Check the schedule for preliminary dates and times.
| Date | City | Location | Time | Cost | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | Chicago | The Grand Ballroom, 6351 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60637 | Doors open – 7 pm. Prelim starts – 9 pm. | $5.00 | New Skool, Beginners |
| Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | Chicago | The Grand Ballroom, 6351 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60637 | Doors open – 7 pm. Prelim starts – 9 pm. | $5.00 | Old School, 60 & Over |
| Saturday, July 31, 2024 | Chicago | The Grand Ballroom, 6351 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60637 | Doors open – 7 pm. Prelim starts – 9 pm. | $5.00 | Walkers & Trios |
| Wednesday, August 7, 2024 | Chicago | The Grand Ballroom, 6351 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60637 | Doors open – 7 pm. Prelim starts – 9 pm. | $5.00 | Last Chance – All Categories |
| June 7, 2024 | Atlanta | ||||
| June 21, 2024 | Detroit | ||||
| July 5, 2024 | Columbus | ||||
| July 27, 2024 | New York City | ||||
| August 24, 2024 | Milwaukee | ||||
| August 25, 2024 | Los Angeles |
Chicago WLSC 2024 Last Chance Prelims – August 7
The Last Chance Chicago Prelims are on Wednesday, August 7, at the Grand Ballroom hosted by Pete Frazier.
Atlanta WLSC 2024 Prelims – June 2
The Atlanta Prelims were held on Friday, June 2 at the First Friday Stepper Set hosted by Chicken Wang and Pete Frazier.
Detroit WLSC 2024 Prelims – June 9
The Detroit Prelims were held on Friday, June 9 at the White Party Weekend hosted by DJ Rodney Mack and MCeed by Pete Frazier.
Other WLSC 2024 Information
Media coverage for the World’s Largest Steppers Competition should be extensive. Live coverage, contest recaps, contestant interviews, and national features in magazines contribute to the extensive coverage and popularity of Chicago Stepping. Read other important information about the WLSC including rules, the History and flash back to 2023.
Contestant Interviews
Contest Rules
Here is a list of the rules for the World’s Largest Steppers Competition. Download a copy of the contest rules.
WLSC Winners History
A record of the history of winners for the WLSC from 1990 to the current contest year. Here is the Winners’ History.
Looking Back at 2023
A flashback to 2023 contest information for WLSC 2023.