What do you get when you mix James Brown, B.B. King and Mary J. Blige with country western line dancing? New line dances that are popping up everywhere. Especially in Chicago. They are also enjoyed by dancers in Detroit and on the East coast as shown in YouTube videos. Following is a brief introduction to the line dance culture as well as some of the instructors located on the south side and in the south suburbs of Chicago. You found them here on As NOT Seen on TV.
Line dancing is the newest phenomena taking over clubs in many cities; however, it is really hot in Chicago. If there is steppin’ going on, you will almost always find line dancing. In line dancing, a group of people (usually women) dance in one or more lines on the dance floor moving to the same beat. While it may seem routine and boring, dancers can add life to the dances by adding their own flava.
Several factors contribute to the popularity of line dancing. First, partners are not needed. As the name suggests, dancers find a space in one of the rows on the dance floor (or create one), and get to moving. Second, there is always an opportunity to meet new people. Third, participants are guaranteed to burn calories. Lastly, the beats are so great that the body automatically moves to the rhythm – if you don’t like the song – sometimes.
According to my research, line dancing began in the 1970s. This dance phase increased in popularity with The Bus Stop, one of the first line dances that did not have a country-western feeling. The Electric Slide, created by Ric Silver, filled dance floors in the late 70s. Thereafter, the line dance craze exploded. The Macarena (mid to late 90s), Cha-Cha Slide (2000), Cleveland Shuffle (2002), Mississippi Slide (2006), and Cupid Slide (2007) are just some of the more familiar beats that continue to lure people to dance floors. I estimate that there are at least one hundred line dances that are being enjoyed by audiences of all ages these days, and more are being created every day.
Who’s teaching these dances? Let me introduce you to some of the instructors on the south side of Chicago and in the south suburbs.
Ms. Loretta Martin – classes are held at Mr. G’s located at 1547 W. 87th Street (87th & Ashland) in Chicago
Contact Ms. Loretta: (773) 445-2020 or (773) 520-6072
Intermediate – Monday – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Cost: $5.00
Beginners – Tuesday – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Cost: $5.00
Beginners and Stepping – Friday – Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Mz. Georgia’s Plaze – classes are held at Seniors/Sustahz on the MOVE – 7949 S. South Chicago in Chicago
Contact: Mz. Georgia at (773) 632-6272 (c) or (773) 221-9840 (biz)
Michelle Carter (secretary) – (773) 556-3053
Mz. Georgia has a very extensive schedule. Since she has different levels of classes, it would be best if you spoke with someone directly about your interests and skill levels. I would suggest any of her baby level classes if you are new to line dancing. All of her classes are $4.00 per class.
Stacy Wright – classes are held at various locations in the south suburbs and Chicago
Contact Stacy at (708) 528-0260 or swright313@yahoo.com
I am going to mention two of her classes, but you’ll have to contact her for her full schedule.
Tuesday – Sweet Georgia Brown’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge – 4167 W. 183rd Street (183rd & Pulaski), Hertiage Plaza in Country Club Hills, IL – FREE lessons from 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. / Open dance from 10:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Note: There is a 2 drink minimum with water and juice available as options
Wednesday – Studio One Dance Theater – 1849 W. 95th Street in Chicago
Intermediate/Advanced – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – cost: $5.00
Beginning/Intermediate – 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – cost: $5.00
Ms. Velma Austin – Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church – 600 E. 35th Street – (312) 225-5300
Thursday – Beginners – 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Cost $3.00
Note: Enter through the parking lot
James Graham – Woodlawn Organization – 65th & Blackstone in Chicago
Thursday – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Cost $5.00
Tuesday – Graham assists Ms. Loretta Martin at Mr. G’s
When Chicago Public Schools are in session, Graham teaches at Chicago Vocational Achievement Academy on 2100 E. 87th Street in Chicago. Classes are held from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Cost $5.00.
Thomas Twins – Eve’s Jazz & Steppin’ Club – 202 W. 144th St. in Riverdale, IL – (708) 841-3693
Wednesday – All levels – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Cost $5.00
Michelle Caroll – Club Suave – 79 W. Joe Orr Road, Olympia Plaza in Chicago Heights, IL
Tuesday – Lessons from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Freestyle from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – FREE Classes
Maria says that she is the assistant to everyone, so you may see her anywhere at anytime.
Val Wilhoite – St. Lawrence O’Toole Church – 4101 St. Lawrence Ave in Matteson, IL – (708) 748-6090
Every first Friday from 7:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. – $5.00.
Rakim Muhammad’s has a full dance schedule, too. He can be reached at 708-473-7553 or rakim151@comcast.net.
Monday
On Monday, he “floats from class to class helping my sisters out with their classes.” He is looking for a location on the west side of Chicago. Contact him if you know of one.
Tuesday
Posch Lounge – 4415 W. 5th Ave in Gary, IN – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – $5.00
Wednesday
The Dorchester – 1515 E. 154th Street in Dolton, IL – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – $5.00
Thursday
The Dorchester – 1515 E. 154th Street in Dolton, IL – Call Rakim for more information
Friday
Brunswick Zone Sports Bar (Inside the bowling alley) – 3043 W.183rd Street in Homewood, IL –
9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. – FREE
Note: This is a dance only event, no instruction
And where can you go to show your stuff after you take these classes?
Black Mary holds monthly Line Dance Extravaganzas every 4th Sunday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Mr. G’s Supper Club, 1547 W. 87th Street in Chicago. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Food served / Cash bar only. Contact Black Mary at 773.715.7039 for tickets or additional information.
July 26
August 23
September 27
October 25
November 22
December 27
I just provided an introduction of Chicago’s line dancing scene. If you know of other instructors and classes, please share. Just know that you saw this first on As NOT Seen on TV.
This is a very informative piece. I enjoyed what I read. It is true that calories are burned; especially during those “high-powered, fast paced” line dances. What wasn’t mentioned is how addictive line dancing can become. I have become a line dance junkie myself (smile) with at least 15 different dances under my belt…and counting! Excellent piece!!!
Nikki B., thanks for stopping through. I will remember the “addiction” aspect of line dancing for future articles.
These are all wonderful classes. You can meet and greet many people while you learn to dance. You burn calories, and have fun. It’s just wonderful
Good article, I loved the way you incorporated the information for both the city and the suburbs. It was very informative. This is another piece that I have read and enjoyed by you, keep it up!!
Thanks much. If you know of other instructors that were not included, let me know and I’ll give them their 25 seconds of fame.
Val and LaToyna are the best!!!!!!
There are cool.
Great article. Very informative.
Thank you.
Mrs. Benita (Rucker) teaches Line Dance every Monday and Wednesday night from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at DeVelle’s School of the Arts at 406 W. 144th St. – in Riverdale for $5.00. Great Instructor!
Thanks for sharing. If you learn of more, please let me know.
A one stop shop, vary useful!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you learn of any other classes in any other communities, let me know.
Marcie,
Thank for this article I will be sure and let all my friends know to check it out. I love the way you introduced the Chicago Line Dance Instructors.
Thanks so much for visiting my site. Hope to see you at Black Mary’s Line Dance Extravaganza on Sunday, July 26, 2009.
Hey shorty, i love this site. This is exactly what we need to get the word out there. Keep up the good work. FYI-Rakim and Valerie are giving a steppers/line dance party this Friday, July 24th @ the Dolton Expo 8 p.m. til 1 a.m. Advance tickets $10, $15 at the door. Call 708-473-7553 or 773-814-2175f or tickets.
Hi Ms. Shorty, I enjoyed reading your newsletters and blog pages. Thank you, for listing Club Suavee line dancing nite. However, most ladies know me as Boss Lady owner of Club Moet and/or M & M Child Care Centers. Once again thank you.
Ok, Ms. Boss Lady. This has been duly noted. Let me know if you have any updates or class changes.
Hey Marcie,
Thanks for being one of my students and for promoting my classes.
Big hugs,
Stacy
No problem. I will see you on Wednesday!
I appreciate the information given here. Now I have a source for people who ask me about line dance classes. Thanks 🙂
Be sure to send EVERYONE to my site for information on line dancing. I’m going to keep the info as current as possible.
Hello Ms.Lady, Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, but your page is great. Keep doin what you’re doing and always put God first and believe in him and there’s nothing you can do. Also must people know me by (Ree)Stay prayful and many blessing.
Thanks Ms. Ree. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Hey there Shorty!!
Thanks for posting this as I’ve noticed that there are so many dances out there that everyone doesn’t teach the same dances….I now also have a place to look at every instructor’s schedule so i have the option of switching it up. Keep up the good work.
I’m glad I can be a resources for people looking for line dances in the community. Let me know if you find out about more line dance instructors, so I can share their information.
Marva Childress is now the guru of line dancing since the death of Bernadette Harris, the first black line dance instructor. She can give you further insight into line dancing-Chicago style.
Great. If you could put me in touch with Ms. Marva, I’d appreciate it.
Hi Marcie,
Just seeing your article. Great job! I’ll forward it to all my contacts.
Thank you Ms. Janet. I’d appreciate your support.
JUST A FEW WORDS TO UPDATE YOUR INFO.
THE ABOVE LISTED TEACHERS ARE FINE BUT
THE BLACK WOMEN RESPONSIBLE FOR LINE
DANCING ON THE SOUTH SIDE ARE LINTED
IN YOUR LINE UP. MARVA IF MY MOTHER
AND SHE HAS BEEN TEACHING FOR 15 YEARS
OR MORE AS HAS CATHY HARLSTON AND ED
RUDGLEY. MOST OF THE TEACHERS LISTED
CAME DIRECTLY FROM THESE 2 LADIES.
If you could give me more info about any of the instructors, I’ll be glad to share.
Hey Marcie. Haven’t seen you in a while (Mr. G’s). I love this site. It is very informative. Wow! I didn’t know these many Line Dance Instructors existed around Chicago and throughout. My daughter and I have also become Line Dancing Junkies (lol).I was a bit unsure as to whether this type of dancing would be appropriate for us to participate in being that we are involved in Liturgical Ministry, but upon attending different classes we have met many people that were very active in their church and prospective ministries etc. With that being said, we have thoroughly enjoyed all of the classes and have also been blessed in meeting very nice and interesting people in the process.
Ericka, thanks for thinking of me. I have getting my business stuff in order and I have class on Monday evenings.
Also, thanks for letting people who active in their churches know that it’s OK to line dance. I would like to add: instead of condemning those who line dance, come out and join us. You learn something new, have fun and meet new people.
I have film footage of Blacks linedancing in the 50's in Miami, FL
If you could share a clip or two, it would be greatly appreciated.
I enjoyed the information in your article. Several insttuctors that could have been mentioned are listed below:
Dee Pillows Paula Stewart Kathryn Hairston Myrtle Guice and Lorraine(forgive me I don;t have her last name) Svlvia Turner.. Marvella Ross, ..just to add for your followers. to consider. Then to add to the list we have Marva and her daughter Crysta. Rell also teaches line dancing.
Just to send their names out…..I dance and enjoy their style of teaching and demonstrating is excellent.
PJ
Thanks for sharing. If you could send their class schedules and other information, I’ll be willing to post it.
My name is Marque “Stone Cold Gentleman” Reed of 360 Degrees Diva’s and Gents Social CLub — i teach line dancing also and would like to network with others — i teach on Tues @ 7pm in Willow Hill Apartments and beginners classes on wednesdays @ 7pm —
Thanks for sharing your information. It can now be viewed by all of my readers.
HI MARCIE — I STILL KEEP READING THIS — EVEN THOUGH THINGS HAVE CHANGED — I ALSO TEACH IN DOLTON NOW — AND BLUE ISLAND —– MAY I PRINT MY LOCATIONS AS WELL
Hi Marque, feel free to share your information in the comment section.