If you’ve had the pleasure of running into Darlene Mans in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan at, the local Meijer store or maybe a restaurant, you’d immediately notice her vibrant smile.
What draws both friends and strangers to Darlene is that big, infectious, genuine smile. She looks like she’s had the most wonderful experience or received the best news.
But if you happen to meet her on the dance floor that big smile would be eclipsed by her fancy footwork and effortless smooth moves.
There’s a reason she’s so comfortable on the dance floor. The skill comes from years of dancing, starting tap classes when she was just a little girl.
Darlene is Beth’s friend.
Beth can’t remember how or when they met, but she knows they’ve been friends for a long time. And every time she runs into Darlene either while shopping or reading her posts on Facebook, Beth says, “It’s always a treat.”
Unlike the “Darlene” you met earlier this month, this Darlene doesn’t consider herself a “hobby person.” But she is certainly a person with an interest that supports her.
For certain, her mom planted the dance seed early, enrolling Darlene in tap class as a little girl, which she then did for her children.
Those early classes indeed influenced her. But it wasn’t until she had a major life change that dance returned to her life.
And now it is a fixture that adds a vibrance to her life.
Even though Darlene started with tap dancing, she now enjoys all sorts of dance.
What has her heart now is Stepping (aka Steppin.)
According to Wikipedia Chicago-Style Stepping is an urban dance that originated in Chicago and continues to evolve both nationwide and overseas in urban communities. You can find Steppin in other urban centers such as Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, and the nation’s capital.
Wikipedia goes on to say that the dance's basic pattern has various ways of counting. There can be no count at all, an old school 6-count, or the 8-count which is new school, and the predominant count taught in classes today in 2024.
And Darlene does it expertly. And enjoys every minute of it.
She tells us that one of her most memorable moments came in 2016 when she was surprised to receive The Good Spirit Award while at the Midwest Affairs event in Toledo, Ohio.
Darlene, tells us the award, “so surprised and delighted me, it was the best feeling ever!!”
And now that she’s retired, dance truly gives her something to look forward to, and travel for. And it still challenges her, especially when she has an extremely talented partner.
Darlene adds, “(Dance) combines everything I love: moving my body, meeting new people and connecting with old friends, an excuse to get dolled up in beautiful dresses. I love it all!”
The next step for Darlene? Gaining even more confidence on the dance floor, while learning new dance steps.
We’re certain Darlene will surely meet her new goals and I bet she’ll do it with a smile. ❤️
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