Journey to Macy’s

The Centennial Steppers rehearse their performance the night before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by Roger Archer, Phaats Photos.

By Valencia Springer

2020 Centennial Steppers Step Mistress

Greetings and humble salutations Sorors,

I am Valencia Springer, your 2020 Centennial Stepper/Step Mistress for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and I would like to take you on my journey through this monumental moment.

In 2020, during the month of October, something extraordinary happened that changed my life as an artist and fellow finer woman of this illustrious sisterhood. At this particular time, I was in the comfort of my home, embracing the random moments of stillness when I received a phone call from our Co-Chair Soror Ireisha Vaughn. I answered in slight confusion, yet intrigued to know what this may be about. Soror Ireisha proceeded to inform me about a conversation that took place between her, Chairwoman Soror Diana L. Hilaire and our fabulous International Grand Basileus Soror Valerie Hollingsworth Baker on how we can continue to celebrate our Centennial while making a statement that only a finer woman can do.

From such, she also explained that Zeta received the opportunity to participate in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade virtual performance. At this moment I’m simply nodding my head in approval and trying to grasp where this discussion is going and how I’m supposed to play a role in it. As a native New Yorker, this parade is a well-known celebration for the Big Apple family holiday season. Historically, the parade has been a part of the Thanksgiving Day celebration since November 1924, just four years after the finest trailblazers hit the scene.

Now, I’m over here in my head playing Inspector Gadget because how does this all come together?! HELP ME MAKE IT MAKE SENSE! The suspense was killing me, and I needed to know what was going on.

The excitement and anticipation started building up, so I began looking for my Zeta journal book to take notes just in case I needed to capture any important

information. Then she drops the ultimate bomb on me: I was brought up as a soror of interest to not only be one of the performers to represent Zeta in the parade, but they wanted me to be the choreographer behind the entire performance.

The choreographer???

Like, I would be creating everything by my lonesome to develop the visual representation of Zeta? Wow, wow, wow is all I could honestly say to myself as my heart dropped into my stomach, eyes widened in pure glee. I couldn’t even give an initial response due to being in complete shock because I was in silence letting everything soak in.

In the midst of excitement, I instantly snapped out of it and went into professional mode with extreme gratitude for the task that I have just been given. Knowing that this would be a big deal, I began asking the essential questions about what I needed to do in order to make sure that the performance would be nothing but spectacular. I asked about the content that they preferred (whether it may be step and/or stroll), how much time we would be given to perform, if we were having auditions, and how we would go about that process, and so forth.

Of course, being the well-prepared Zeta woman she is, Soror Ireisha knew exactly what was needed of me to start this journey. My first task was to create a 30-second audition step piece to be sent out to sorors who are interested and are financially active members within their undergraduate/graduate chapters. I didn’t review the audition videos to choose the steppers and honestly I didn’t need to; I had the best women for the job to make sure the best fitting performers were chosen to represent Zeta; those women were Soror Diana and Soror Ireisha. This is where it gets a little spicy as I would call it because not only was my job was to create this 30 second piece but to do so in 24 to 48 hours. Was I nervous about this task? YESSSS!!! Nervous was an understatement to how I felt internally, but grateful and blessed is what I felt the most.

Being given this first task I knew that I didn’t have much time to come up with the actual performance for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade routine, so I decided to act fast and solidify my vision. In my developmental state of the audition routine, I was able to create the Blu print of that vision. After creating the 30 second work, it was my duty to create a 60-second routine for the parade that would POP and leave an everlasting mark on all who see and indulge. So I reached out to some of my close “Litty Kittiez” that I trust to help me with my creative outlook; those moments allowed me to fully have a clear view on what I wanted us to look and sound like.

Then, one day it hit me, flashback to 2018 Boulé in New Orleans to the stroll and step competition. Three young ladies graced the stage to represent the Sigma Kappa Zeta Chapter based out of Brooklyn, New York. We, the Litty KittieZ, took the win with a well planned/executed show filled with high energy, precision and WOW moments. From there I instantly knew what needed to be done and how I wanted to elevate it to the next level.

In completion of the audition process, I was able to develop the skeleton of the choreography for the performance. As the ladies were being chosen, it was my duty to have the full piece completed along with a tutorial to teach the movement. As a professional dancer in the number one African American international dance company known as Step Afrika, I am constantly surrounded by musically inclined people. It worked in my favor to work on this project while receiving some of their assistance along the way. When I say assistance I’m referring to making the music flow steadily on its own creative metronome and providing levels to show the dynamics throughout the piece. My nextext step was to format a rehearsal schedule for the next two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving Day. A zoom link was created for us to be able to meet four days out of those two weeks which gave me the opportunity to finally see the ladies chosen for the showcase, including having the ability to see how they all work/ move with one another. Being a creator, teacher, and guide in this artistic sisterly journey, I felt compelled to truly teach my sorors about the art of stepping and how it’s connected to our cultural roots and our everyday life. Through our conversations there were always teachable moments from all ends that allowed us to be more focused and unified mentally as well as creatively to show the world how women from all walks of life not only come together to be a part of a powerful sisterhood but can show the works and wonders of that unification.

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The members of the Centennial Steppers represented chapters from across the United States. Photo by Roger Archer, Phaats Photos.

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There were 30 lucky ladies chosen to be a part of the Centennial Steppers, from which I’ve grown to call them “My BabeZ”. Each rehearsal I saw an increase in greatness continue to rise as they all started to develop their own personal connection to the movement and how it felt in their bodies. It was always a pleasure to work with my sorors as they brought my vision to life; even if it was via video chat, to me EVERY MOMENT COUNTS. As I would watch the ladies rehearse, being the teacher that I am, I took notes to keep track of what we needed to work on (individually & as a whole) and how I can push for those WOW moments to hit the audience ground running. There were a few things I asked of them to assist in my creative push for the routine; first I wanted to know who had talents outside of stepping that can be incorporated into the piece whether that may be singers, dancers and gymnasts. Literally that was the spark that I needed to jump start what I’ve been looking for. Secondly, sorors were to record themselves every Wednesday after Tuesday’s rehearsal and send it to me to be reviewed so they can continue to grow as individuals for the collective. This allowed me to see the very small details in their interpretation of the routine. I noticed some moments I wanted to keep and have the entire group do or needed to be taken away because you lose the feeling given. At some points I noticed a boost of confidence in some women that may have been a little shy or those who second guessed themselves based on societal dysfunctional views on women in general; it was my duty as their Step Mistress that each and every woman felt comfortable and empowered to be present in this very moment as centennial steppers but as a woman, a Finer woman.

As time drew near, we had to prepare for our arrival to New York City and complete the audio recording of the step. I learned about audio recording from working with Step Afrika and our virtual performances; it assists in enhancing the sound of the performers based upon their surroundings. Unfortunately not everyone was able to experience this opportunity but that did not stop nor put any doubt in our minds that the job was not going to be well executed. It’s a simple reminder that “It took only 5” to formulate our sisterhood and with doing such, five centennial steppers went to the recording studio and produced such a powerful sound for all of us to perform to. By this time, sorors had to make sure that any travels to New York were abided by the COVID restrictions/precautions. One of those duties enforced by Macy’s as well was to get tested for the virus before and upon entry of the city. My travels to New York played out like a bad movie and I can get into an even longer dramatic version of it but I won’t; what I will say is that it was an extremely eventful experience and I am beyond blessed to have such a great support system to get me through my moments of heightened anxiety.

The best part about reaching my hometown was seeing my mother as soon as I got off the train. For those who may not know my mom is Virna Springer, thee International Zeta Youth Director and Super Mom. Since my travels messed up my time schedule that was pre planned we didn’t have any lingering time to waste and needed to get moving right away; my mother and I rushed to get an Uber in order for me to make it to Macy’s designated testing place to take my COVID test. The funny part about this is that the workers knew exactly who I was with prior to my arrival because it was nothing but Blu & white marching throughout that place.

I was able to meet a lot of “My BabeZ” prior to rehearsal, which was definitely a pleasant energy exchange. After we spoke for a bit, my mother and I rushed over to the host hotel to check in; being the sweetest mom ever she gifted me with my hotel stay and added extra days for me to have personal time after long filming/rehearsal

hours at work and for the parade performance. Pushing through, we had two designated meet up times for that day to rehearse together, one of these two rehearsals were extremely detrimental because it was the first time we’ve all come together. This is where I was able to place sorors in their proper spacing with their transitions so they can feel exactly how we should look as one being. The other rehearsal was just as important due to the fact that we were in the actual Macy’s setting where everyone will get a preview of our routine.

After checking in the hotel, I had other duties to attend to prior to our first in person rehearsal. Soror Diana reserved a dance studio at Ripley Grier’s studio located in Manhattan, New York for us to have an initial meet up; this would allow us to rehearse together before attending the official Macy’s full cast rehearsal. Unfortunately time was not on my side yet I tried to not allow those minor hiccups to deter me from what the true mission was. Even in the moments of feeling anxiety it was that mental reminder about dealing with like minded women; they took the initiative to work with one another on the choreography before I arrived displaying such Blutiful sisterhood. By the time I reached the dance studio, I greeted the ladies with pure love and appreciation for all of their hard work and dedication in making this performance possible. During this practice I decided to split the time between cleaning up movement, formation placement, transitional moments and close out visuals. It may sound like a lot but honestly I was able to accomplish a clean execution in all categories listed above before our time was up.

Hands down, “My BabeZ” did such a great job grasping all that information and applying it, soon after a couple of full “run-throughs” it was time for us to go and meet our team lead from the Macy’s parade officials. This is when we made our initial physical mark in that space; imagine a group of melanated women in Royal Blue jogger suites marching up ready to showcase our work. People had no idea the type of heat the Finer women were bringing but best believe they knew exactly what time it was once we hit the scene. At this point we’re off to the side practicing in silence so we wouldn’t disturb any of the other performers on set as they practiced. Imagine having to do this OUTSIDE in NEW YORK during the WINTER with NO COATS. Yes, it was definitely a push but we made it happen with NO EXCUSES given. Our team lead informs us that we are being called on set and you know everyone started moving in excitement scattering everywhere trying to gather our belongings but we didn’t need it so now we’re scrambling to put them back and hurry on the set area where the cameras were located. Quickly I located the center and placed sorors in their spots from earlier and gave them a word of encouragement before we started. We silenced our hearts and bodies to become one instrument of music and movement; when the audio recording started to play it was a wave of intense energy that kicked off our run through. Personally I knew as soon as we were finished with the first run through we captured everyone’s attention with the power we produced. Day one of Macy’s parade rehearsal was complete and the following day was going to be a long day as well so we had to get our rest and prepare.

It’s the day before pre-recording for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and we were able to rehearse at Ripley’s once again to have a true dance/ step dress rehearsal. As a performer you must always have a dress rehearsal because you don’t want to have a costume malfunction on stage. If anybody has seen my social media, you’ve seen how fun and exciting rehearsal was. Leaving practice, I knew we accomplished all that was needed and it was time to let the mind and body rest.

Here we are, we’re about to do the ultimate performance in the name of our Beloved Sisterhood. The excitement, the nervousness, the anticipation of it all, had taken over. We were all up, getting ready, makeup artists, photoshoot by Frater Roger, our Grand Zoomcalled us, and then it was time to record. We prayed, then we sang our Sorority Hymn, before “We Left it all on Macy’s Parade Ground!”

These amazing sorors and I had the honor to be a part of our Sorority Centennial history. I’m blessed to have been granted a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am personally grateful to my mother Virna Springer for all her sacrifice and guidance as I make my footsteps into the world of Zeta.

Here we are, we’re about to do the ultimate performance in the name of our Beloved Sisterhood. The excitement, the nervousness, the anticipation of it all, had taken over.