{"id":3487,"date":"2014-03-28T14:34:45","date_gmt":"2014-03-28T14:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/arts-culture\/steppin-it-up-csulb-s-step-show-one-of-the-largest-in-the-nation-celebrates-23rd-year\/"},"modified":"2014-03-28T14:34:45","modified_gmt":"2014-03-28T14:34:45","slug":"steppin-it-up-csulb-s-step-show-one-of-the-largest-in-the-nation-celebrates-23rd-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/art\/steppin-it-up-csulb-s-step-show-one-of-the-largest-in-the-nation-celebrates-23rd-year","title":{"rendered":"Steppin’ It Up: CSULB’s Step Show, One of the Largest in the Nation, Celebrates 23rd Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"StepShow03-2\"<\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Zion Smith.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s more than dance. It\u2019s not just breaking and it certainly isn\u2019t tap alone. It could be called gymnastics, in an odd sense, but that fails to completely define it as well.<\/p>\n

Stepping, an inherent part of many of urban African-American dance communities, is a culture in and of itself\u2014and Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) is home to the one of the largest student-produced step shows in the States, which will be celebrating its 23rd year this weekend at the Walter Pyramid.<\/p>\n

\"StepShow02-2\"The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)\u2014the coordinating council for the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities\u2014hosted its first step show at CSULB in 1990 in the University Student Union to some 200 people.<\/p>\n

\u201cStepping was very popular in the ’90s,\u201d said Charles Sloan, member of Kappa Alpha Psi and a founding member of the Long Beach Step Show. \u201cAnd Long beach State fraternities and sororities competed in step competitions at UCLA, UC Davis, SDSU and even Howard University in Washington D.C. Notoriety was brought to CSULB because of the reputation and popularity of steppers Long Beach State students produced\u2014and a show was born.\u201d<\/p>\n

As these talented members of fraternities and sororities continued to step, the popularity grew immensely\u2014and therefore the venue continued to change to where it is now, in the Walter Pyramid.<\/p>\n

Even beyond the direct cultural connection\u2014as Alpha Kappa Alpha member and recent CSULB graduate Heather Daughtry puts it: \u201cIt allows me to represent my yard as well as preserve the art and culture of step\u201d\u2014there is a physical power to the performance itself. Unless you are immune to the beauty of percussion and rhythm, it is difficult to not be captivated by the flowing, pounding bodies of steppers paired with everything vocal from singing to spoken word.<\/p>\n

\"StepShow04-2\"<\/p>\n

In order to enjoy the quick moves and split second changes that is a part of stepping, one must see a step show live to appreciate its full glory,\u201d said Dontay Carter, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of the NPHC. \u201cIn addition to its entertainment value, a step show is an educational event as it draws on themes and concepts relating to African American culture and identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Step it up.<\/p>\n

Tickets for the 23rd annual Long Beach State Step Show can be purchased for $20 at www.csulb.edu\/sld<\/a> or at the Walter Pyramid box office. For more information, contact Zion Smith, coordinator for CSULB\u2019s Student Life and Development, at zion.smith@csulb.edu<\/a>.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n