Chicago dance group teaches U of I community new steps to improve mental health

[embedded content] URBANA – A group has Champaign-Urbana residents dancing away with new moves by teaching them a beloved Chicago tradition.  The Era Footwork Collective came to Champaign-Urbana on September 7 to teach people how to do “footwork” at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The organization’s mantra is “Footwork Saves Lives”. Sterling “Steelo” Lofton is a member of the group and has been dancing on the Windy City’s music scene for decades.   Lofton said footworking is more than moving to music. The dance style is a form of expression that can help people who are considering harming themselves. “Whether you’re going through it with your kids, family issues, [or] personal issues, it’s something you can use to get free, to escape,” he explained. “Or like I said, let that emotion out through motion.” Jamal “Litebulb” Oliver is also a member of the Era Footwork Collective and says footworking was born from Chi-town’s House Music genre and previous moves dancers showcased before it had a name. “They were doing these, you know, moves called ‘the ghost’, certain house dances, or certain hip hop moves,” he said. “But it wasn’t until the 90’s where Ant Brown and ‘The Dungeon’ and...