More Line Dance Instructors in Chicago

Freda Terry - North Side Chicago

Freda Terry holds line dance classes on Chicago’s north side at 1212 W. Balmoral (near Foster 5200 N. and Broadway 1200 W.). Classes are on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
$5.00 per class.

She will begin teaching beginners and intermediate line dancing on Wednesdays starting September 30th 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at Homan Square Park, 3559 W. Arthington, near the old Sears building. Classes are $5.00 per class; $3.00 for seniors 60 and up.

Freda can be reached at 773-552-9117 or http://www.fredasdancing.com

Annet Austin - Upper Kutz - Chicago

Annet Austin teaches line dance classes every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Upper Kuts Barbershop located at 3786 W. 79th Street (across the street from BoganHigh School’s parking lot). The cost is $5. She can be reached at 773-206-0346.

More Line Dance Instructors in Chicago

I attended Black Mary’s Line Dancing Extravaganza this evening and found two more line instructors that have NOT been seen on TV.

Dee Pillows - South Side & South Suburbs in Chicago

Dee Pillows – I didn’t get contact information

Beginning – Monday – Abraham Lincoln Center – 3858 S. Cottage Grove – 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. – $3

Beginning – Wednesday- Mathers Lifeways- 33 E. 83rd St.  – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – $3

Intermediate – Thursday – Abraham Lincoln Center – 3858 S. Cottage Grove – 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. – $3

All – Friday – Community Center at 147th & Clyde – 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – $5

Novella Tomlin - Mz. Georgia's PR Specialist

Ms. Novella perform double duty at Mz. Georgia Plaze in Chicago.  She is not only the PR specialist, she is also an instructor.

One last thing. The oldest line dancer that attended the line dance extravaganza tonite was 85 years old.  I didn’t get her name, and she didn’t want her photo taken, but Mama looked good doing her thing in slow motion.  I just wanted to give a mention to mention to my senior dancer doing her thang.

Line Dancing Chicago Style – Read my Story

Read my story about Line Dancing Chicago Style on As Not Seen on TV. You will get a brief introduction into line dancing and meet some of the instructors on the south side of Chicago and in the south suburbs.

Please share with others who may be interested in this low cost (sometimes) free activity.

Line Dancing Chicago Style

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 - Mr. G's in Chicago

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 - Mz. Georgia's Plaze in Chicago

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 - Studio One Dance Theater in Chicago & other south suburban locations

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

Velma Austin - Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church

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

Graham - Woodlawn Organization in Chicago

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 in Riverdale, IL

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 Carroll - Club Suave in Chicago Heights

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 - Assistant to Everyone

Maria says that she is the assistant to everyone, so you may see her anywhere at anytime.

Val Wilhoite - Lawrence O’Toole Church in Matteson, IL

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 & Latonya - Dorchester Center, Dolton, IL

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 hosts Monthly Line Dance Parties

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.

Dr. Loretta Hall-Martin is a Dancing Diva

The Dancing Diva - Dr. Loretta Martin

Dr. Loretta Martin is a dancing diva. The dictionary defines “diva” as a prima donna or a female lead singer in music. Well, I don’t know if Dr. Loretta Martin can sing, but I do know that she has been leading dances most of her life. And she didn’t stop after retirement. Currently, she teaches line dance classes at various locations on the south and west sides of Chicago. Because of the very active lifestyle of this “seasoned” citizen, I could not resist sharing her story on AS NOT SEEN ON TV.

Her dance career started at age five at Madden Park, one of the Park Districts in Chicago. Tap, ballet, square dancing, and round dancing are just a few styles of dances she’s mastered. Her “diva-ness” kicked in when she was 12 years old. The dance instructor left her in charge of an entire dance class while she was on vacation because Dr. Loretta knew all of the “little girl” and “big girl” dances.

She went on to lead dance classes five days a week as a physical education teacher at Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago. Her passion for dancing was felt by her students. Dr. Loretta proudly shared that “my dancers were very good.” That is an understatement. Thanks to her sister who taught modern dance at Abbott Elementary School which is the school from which most of Dr. Loretta’s students graduated, many of them were already good dancers by the time they reached her. However, after training with Dr. Loretta for four years, some had reached professional standards. A few went on to dance with the Alvin Ailey dance troupe and The Dance Theater of Harlem. For the ones that didn’t dance professionally, they kept their passion for dancing alive in college. If the colleges and universities they attended did not have dance programs, they started them.

Dr. Loretta shared her most memorable performance which occurred in the mid-70s. Her students dressed up as the characters of the Wiz and performed Ease On Down The Road in front of a crowd of about 10,000 spectators during the half-time show of an intense basket playoff game between Phillips and Westinghouse. Their performance was so outstanding that audience members thought the dancers were the actual performers in the play, which was in Chicago at that time.

Her diva-ness continued even after she retired in 1999. Although she had no intention of teaching dance again, one of her sorority sisters guilted her into teaching line dances after the instructor at a venue had quit. At the time, she was taking classes, so she knew what to do. And she is still doing her thing because she’s now teaching eight line dance classes per week.

In addition to instructing line dances, Dr. Loretta engages in many other activities:
• She can be seen stepping with her dance partner of 10 years, Mr. Ed Banks, on Can I Step with You? This is shown on CAN TV19 in Chicago.
• As the administrator of the Hall-Martin Foundation, she has been blessing graduating seniors from Wendell Phillips H.S. with scholarships since June 1982.
• Dr. Loretta and her cousin, Brenda Jenkins, authored, He Is Not Left Behind…He Is With Me! In 2006. Look out for a new book in the near future.
• She has gained local star status as a performer in Serendipity, a senior musical in Chicago, in which she has been performing since 2005.
• She is the mother of 4; grandma of 6 plus some; great-grandma of two with several step-children and step-grandchildren.
• Lastly, she is an active member of the Hall of Fame Committee, one of Wendell Phillips’ Alumni Groups.

As you can see, Dr. Martin is one busy lady. To see the dancing diva in action, visit one of her line dancing classes or high noon stepper’s set. Contact Dr. Loretta at 773.520.6072 or retta425@aol.com for a current schedule.