Does LL Cool J need help with his stepping?

Feb 23: Ryan Cameron “Ol Skool Nu Skool Step Show”

"Step" is a blend of tap dance, cheer-leading, drill team and military marching (see wikipedia, it never lies...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_dance). Evidently, it is a tradition for black sororities and fraternities to have step teams, each with its own signature moves, style, hand gestures and shout-outs ("oooh-oooh" are Deltas? I think).

The show kicked off with a middle-school all girls team performance, with a courtroom theme--the team was on trial for being the best steppers around. Regardless, they were probably the best group in the entire show, totally in sync with one another, very serious about their stepping.

Like figure skating, each team had a time limit (12 mins) and were judged on their creativity and coordination. I didn't have a key informant this time so I really have no idea how the judging was determined. Anyway, each team performed their stepping to a theme; they all told a story. I found it interesting that of the six mens teams, four of them stepped to a military-mad scientist theme. Check out these photos--yes, those are gold boots and oh yes, the other guys have Planet of the Apes masks on.


I went with my friends April, Cait, Meaghan and Raquel--we were all very impressed by the athleticism of the fraternity steppers--especially when they wore wife-beater tank tops (I digress). The last group to perform was a sorority alumni chapter who performed a street-cleaner themed step, they were my pick to win. Emory University even featured a group who stepped to various 80s hits. The crowd was alive at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. We had a crazy, possibly drunk, and definitely not-Tyler Perry MC entertain us with nice off-color humor (but it's a family show!). LL Cool J was there, too--the crowd went crazy, like he was a Beatle (but obviously not old, English, and LL would never be in a band as lame as Wings). Too bad he forgot his shirt on before leaving the house (Again, I digress).

I couldn't help notice something special about the aesthetic effect of a group of people moving together in unison. I was equally impressed by it at the Battle of the Bands. If you look at other forms of traditional dance, its not only an expression of group identity--it's when commitment and solidarity are transformed into art do we see the power of people intent on communicating a physical expression of community, commonality--no matter what form it takes.

For the record, I have no idea what the difference is between Ol Skool and Nu Skool step so if you happen to know, please tell me. Also, if you can teach me how to pronounce "Boisfeuillet" in its appropriate Georgia patois I'll give you a dollar.

“Who are those girls in our photos??”

January 26: “Battle of the Bands”


On January 26, I attended the “Honda Historically Black College and University Battle of the Bands” marching band competition with my good friend Kathy. Kathy and I were both new to the “marching band scene” so we really had no idea what to expect. I’m from the Midwest, which aside from being a very boring place to live, it does not have a whole lot to offer in terms of marching bands. Although anyone who went to either high school or college with me could counter that point, arguing that I wouldn’t know where to find an organized sporting event if it were held in my own backyard. Anyway, this was my second trip to the GA Dome and I was still amazed at the sheer size, scale and beer options available at that fine venue.

Kathy and I had pretty good seats for this event. They were even better because I sat next to a woman who had clearly attended her fair share of these events, a veritable wealth of information on marching band style and technique—and totally annoyed by my total ignorance of the sport. Anyway, before she reached her saturation point, I learned that each group has 10-15 minutes to perform, there’s no limit to the size of the band and no compulsory requirements (unlike figure skating). The dome was packed, as usual (except when the Falcons play?) and in between each performance some obviously well-known hip hop artist would come out to the cheers and screams of everyone in the stadium (including the very hyper 15 year old girls in front of us), except Kathy and I because we each live under rocks and watch PBS.

We were amazed! It was just like Drumline (fine film shown regularly on TBS, another Atlanta institution). Each band performed routines that generally consisted of about 5 minutes of big band, Sousa-style marching, 5 minutes of a slow bridge where the fly girl troupe would perform an interpretative style dance and then another 5 minutes of Sousa-esque renditions of modern classics by artists such as Michael Jackson and Nelly. North Carolina Central (my informer’s favorite) performed a very strange interpretative dance in honor of Janet Jackson (kimonos were implicated in this tragedy of performance art). I still haven’t figured it out.

Drum majors dressed up like Superman and baton girls and flag twirlers—oh my! Kathy and I were amazed. We both admitted that neither of us had the self-confidence it takes to wear gold hot pants and pull off hip-hop moves on the jumbo-tron at the dome. If you can do that, I am certain you can do anything! I am also pretty sure that there is a family out in Atlanta somewhere wondering who the two confused white girls are in the background of all their Battle of the Bands photos.

Of the ten bands that competed, I was most impressed with Virginia State University, Norfolk State and my favorite, Texas Southern. It was incredible—I’ve never seen anything like it! I am inspired to let out my inner majorette although I somehow doubt I’ll get away with the hot pants….

http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/

Jan 21: The Coldest Martin Luther King Day on Record?

In spite of very cold weather, my roommate and I visited the King Center on Martin Luther King Day. Neither of us had ever been before, despite having lived in Atlanta for a combined total of 7 years. Speaking for myself, I’ll admit that I did not know much about the historical site, despite driving through the Sweet Auburn neighborhood all the time.

We toured the museum at the main building, while outside organizers were getting ready for the annual march on Auburn Avenue. A service was held at Ebeneezer Baptist Church and we were able to watch it from a large screen outside. There were lots of people in the museum—students, boy scout troupes, church groups—it was really inspiring to see so many people taking time out of their day off to learn more about Dr. King’s life and work. The historic site covers much of the neighborhood—the original birth home, the King’s tomb, smaller museums, the fire station—it wasn’t hard to imagine the once-vibrant neighborhood as the center of the civil rights movement.

When the Dalai Lama visited Atlanta last October, I remember thinking to myself “why Atlanta? Why not New York, Chicago, Los Angeles?” It’s not that Atlanta isn’t a major city, but after two years here, I never considered it on an international scale. In the first few minutes of his speech, he highlighted the importance of Atlanta to the international community. As the center of the civil rights movement and home to Dr. King, Atlanta is a city that symbolizes much to other groups of marginalized, oppressed peoples around the world. Furthermore, the impact of Dr. King on the international movement against colonization, racism and economic oppression is far greater than most Americans realize. A friend of mine (from GA) once hypothesized that the reason Atlanta was able to become the commercial center of the southeastern states was its progressive stance on race in comparison to other southern cities.

We listened to the service for a while—before she died, Corretta Scott King established an all girls school in Atlanta. One of the students, she might have been 8 or 9 years old. She told us that when the school was inaguarated, they took a pledge to, among other things, “devestate mediocrity." I keep wondering how to ensure that my work, my life, my interactions result in something positive for my friends, family and community--don't we all have a bit of Dr. King in us?

While looking at photographs of protest marches, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, rallies in Chicago, Washington—I was impressed by the level of organization, commitment and dedication Dr. King and his supporters brought to the civil rights movement. I asked my roommate if he thought it were possible for a similar movement to occur in the US now? Who is our Dr. King? Is our society so disaggregated and apathetic that we allow our government to mortgage our economic future, unravel our civil liberties and ignore our constitution with out much ado? He said that most people are worried about paying their bills… I agree—but there have always been bills to pay, everybody has something to lose.

We walked up and down Auburn Ave. waiting for the march to start--things had taken on a carnival feel with food stalls (hot barbecue!), t-shirt vendors, old R&B music and Atlanta's resident Christian fundamentalist (see photo--I can't figure out how to rotate it, sorry) who seems to be around every time I'm downtown.

Monster Jam: I Root for "Grave Digger"....

January 12, 2008--A total of 67,000 fans crowded into the Georgia Dome to watch Monster Jam IV--the first event in the 2008 Monster Truck racing series. I have never (i.e. in my life) been to any motor sport event (NASCAR will be featured on this tour later in the year).

Evidently, the Monster Truck series has gained in popularity over the past few years. The trucks tour nationally, each with their own driver, theme and fan club. With names like "Maximum Destruction," "Pouncer," and "El Toro Loco" it was hard for me to choose which truck was the most imposing! The family of four seated in front of us (completely covered in green body paint and wearing cutoff flannel shirts) was clearly rooting for "Grave Digger," one of the favorites. They were almost as entertaining as watching the Monster Trucks flip over and blow out $10,000 tires.


I was surprised how mixed the crowd was--I thought I spotted one of everything! Women with Louis Vuitton handbangs, good ol' boys with big gold belt buckles and NASCAR enthusiasts with mullets and racing pants. I was definitely out of place in my pink shirt. Next year, I will wear something in a camouflage print (I'll have to buy some, first). There were lots of children there, too. I guess trucks slamming into things is fun for the whole family (note to self: ask parents why my childhood was so boring).

Contrary to the "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" TV commercials, Monster Truck Jam isn't just about mass destruction. These are organized events! The show kicks off with a timed race where the Monster Truck drivers have to circle the arena twice and clear the same jumps (like the compulsory event in figure skating?). In between rounds, local junk cars raced and slammed into each other. My favorite were the junk truck race and the trailer race (these cars pulled a variety of junk--a Port-a-John, washing machine, speed boat, bicycle and a toilet, to name a few). After the ATV race, the Monster Trucks were back in the spotlight with the "Freestyle" competition (again, just like figure skating!). In this event, each truck has 90 seconds to perform--they jump over obstacles, crash into cars, spin themselves around and basically seem to get really excited when they destroy their car. "Monster Mutt" was the highlight of my night (see photo at right, yes the car had a tail).

If you plan on attending next year's show--BRING EAR PLUGS. I'm glad I went with my poker buddies, Mike, Jeff, Randy and Terri (happy birthday!)--they were able to keep me up to speed on the events. Jeff did a good job making sure I didn't get kidnapped and taken to Newnan, GA, and Randy tried to find Mike a wife while waiting in line for the MARTA train. All in all, a great Saturday night!