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StompFest Brings 125 Years of Culture to Foo Foo Fest

Date Posted: Oct 14, 2019

Marsha Ambrosius & Mannie Fresh Headline with Host HaHa Davis

Stomp Fest 2019, a celebration of the 125-year-old African American College fraternity and sorority tradition of “stepping,” will feature some of the finest steps and strolls by various fraternities, sororities and organizations from around the country. Collegiate step teams will be performing in a likely sold-out Pensacola Bay Center on November 2 of Foo Foo Fest this year. Tickets are $15 to $25 and can be bought in early September and will be available online at STOMPFEST850.com!

Big Names and Performers

Stomp Fest is back again with incredible guest stars and performers that will have the party jumping with energy. This year’s competition is hosted by internet comedian, “Mr. Big Fella” HaHa Davis. Plus, there will be an incredible performance by jazz and pop star Marsha Ambrosius and multi-platinum record producer Mannie Fresh will be mixing the ones and twos, spinning one hit after another during the competition. Mannie Fresh has worked with globally renowned artists like Lil’ Wayne, Birdman, Juvenile, Young Jeezy, T.I. and T-Pain, and is sure to have the whole house rocking with hit after hit.

A Melting Pot of Cultures

Stepping is a form of percussive dance, an exhibition of coordinated steps, stomps, shouts and other dance movements to tell a visual story. It’s a form influenced by military close-order drills, African foot dances, stage routines of African American souls and even R&B performers like The Temptations or The Four Tops. Stepping has grown from its roots as a singing and dancing routine celebrating new black fraternity and sorority members entering Greek life on campus. “Greek Sings” eventually started having more and more dance movements added until they became “Greek Shows.” Many fraternities and sororities pass down their most popular routines adding to the culture of tradition that permeates stepping across the country. 

Since the rise of stepping on HBCU campuses in the ‘80s and ‘90s, more influences have joined the others in the melting pot. Stepping began to welcome and include other musical styles, allowing Latin American and Caucasian Greek organizations join with their own musical backgrounds and influences. The inclusiveness of stepping allowed Salsa and Merengue rhythms to find their way onto the stage in stepping routines. Line stepping country music also found a way into the formations and moves used in stepping routines. By the 2000s, hip hop had officially taken over mainstream American music. Stepping saw its audience widen considerably with more young Americans in tune with African American culture.

 

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