What is Stepping?
Join Durham Parks and Recreation's Community Step Team
Do you know a youth between the ages of 6 and 12 years old who loves dancing and stepping? Or could benefit from making new friends and forming bonds?
Durham Parks and Recreation invites them to join I.M.P.A.C.T., a coed Community Step Team designed to teach the youth unity and structure. Standing for Integrity, Motivation, Perseverance, Attitude, Character and Truth, the goal is to equip youth with the tools needed for everyday life and instill leadership. Usually performed by fraternities and sororities, stepping or step-dancing, is a percussive dance where the participant’s body is used to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Stepping is also an intense calorie-burning exercise that targets the entire body. This is a very effective form of exercise while increasing a healthier lifestyle through movement.
Here’s a look back in history at how this incredible art form came to fruition.
Step dancing (also known as Stepping) is an ancient form of dance that has been around for centuries. It has evolved over time and is still popular today, appearing in movies, TV shows, music videos, and other performances. From its African roots to modern-day interpretations, step dancing is a powerful and mesmerizing art form that can captivate audiences of all ages. Let’s take a look back at the history of step dancing.
The distinctive percussive style of stepping is believed by some historians to have emerged in the aftermath of the 1739 Stono Rebellion. This South Carolina rebellion led to the outlawing of drumming, prompting enslaved people to innovate and replace drums with their bodies, giving birth to the percussive dance form known as stepping. Another significant influence on step dancing comes from the African gumboot dance, born in the gold mines of South Africa during Apartheid. Miners reportedly used intricate patterns of stomping and clapping to communicate in the flooded mines, contributing to the rhythmic and communicative nature of step.
Step found its way to America in the late 19th century when freed slaves brought their ancestral traditions with them from Africa. These traditional steps gradually merged with more contemporary dance styles like tap and jazz, resulting in a unique fusion characterized by intricate rhythms and eye-catching movements.
The term "stepping" gained prominence in the 1960s on the campuses of historically black colleges and universities, especially with the establishment of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, affectionately known as "The Divine Nine." These Greek organizations began hosting informal shows that evolved into public exhibitions, often serving as fundraisers for charitable causes. The inaugural Greek Show took place at Howard University in 1976, marking a significant milestone in the popularization of step dancing. Fraternities and sororities embraced stepping as a means to showcase spirit and pride in their respective organizations. Some even developed signature moves and chants, turning step dancing into an integral aspect of Greek life. The vibrant and energetic performances became a medium for fostering unity, camaraderie, and philanthropy.
From its humble beginnings as a response to oppressive drumming bans, step dancing has evolved into a dynamic and influential art form. Its journey from African rituals to American campuses is a testament to the resilience of cultural traditions. Today, step continues to captivate audiences and unite communities. Sign up for I.M.P.A.C.T. Community Step Team. Practice will begin March 6 every Wednesday, at Walltown Recreation Center.
I.M.P.A.C.T. Community Step Team
Program number: #20332
Date: Beginning March 6
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 6p-7p
Cost: $0 City Residents/$5 Non-City Residents (Daily Drop-in Fee)
Registration Deadline: N/A
Ages: 6-12