URBANA – A group of Champaign-Urbana residents dance away new moves by teaching them beloved Chicago traditions.
The Era Footwork Collective came to Champaign-Urbana on Sept. 7 to teach people how to perform “footwork” at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The organization's slogan is: “Foot movement saves lives“.
Sterling “Stelo” Lofton is a member of the group and has been dancing on the Windy City music scene for decades.
Footwork is more than just moving to the music, Lofton said. The dance style is a form of expression that can help people who are thinking about harming themselves.
“Whether you're going through it with your kids, family issues, (or) personal issues, it's something you can use to find freedom, escape,He explained. “Or as I said, let those feelings come out through movement.”
Jamal “Litebulb” Oliver is also a member of the Era Footwork Collective and says the footwork was born out of the Chi-Town house music genre and earlier movements demonstrated by dancers before it had a name.
“They would do these moves, you know, called 'ghosting,' or some house dancing, or some hip-hop moves.” He said. “But it wasn't until the '90s that Ant Brown and 'The Dungeon' and some other footworkers took those movements and put them together.
Footwork includes jumping, kicking, and twisting with the help of the hands.
Local residents Adam Cross and his daughter Gloria are happy with how quickly they picked up on the dance.
“It's really cool to be able to do this.” Gloria said. “It feels good.”
“They broke it down really well to make, you know, everyone welcome and be able to participate.” Adam added. “And then they keep reminding us and encouraging us and telling us, you know, it's okay if it looks different.” “If I did it your way instead,” you know, which made it fun and engaging.
Lofton said footwork helped him when faced with adversity.
“One of those historic moments was when I lost my mother when I was 19, and the sense of community, or the camaraderie of brotherhood, of having someone enjoy the same thing, Or they speak this language, if you will.” “So when I lost my mother, I had my siblings.”
Sterling also shared that using footwork as an outlet can lead to discovering new things. He said that led him to realize that he loved fashion.