Toe to Toe
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Adventure, Family
Mainstream media glorifies the struggles of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Toe to Toe challenges the world to look beyond this reputation to the resiliency and creativity of a thriving underground culture that deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
Toe to Toe
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Adventure, Family
1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,555 for development. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
33 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Mainstream media glorifies the struggles of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Toe to Toe challenges the world to look beyond this reputation to the resiliency and creativity of a thriving underground culture that deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Toe to Toe is set within the vibrant world of Chicago Footwork—a battle dance and music genre born in the poor Black communities of Chicago. In this community, the primary goal for many is to become the best battler. But for those who reach the top, a deeper journey begins. This story explores the politics of being a culture bearer - someone tasked with protecting and evolving a tradition. It examines the internal and external battles that arise when spreading culture: the tension between sharing and preserving, between growth and exploitation. How do you expand a community without giving it away for others to profit or commercialize?
An artistic production from The Era Footwork Foundation, Toe to Toe challenges the world to look beyond the surface of Chicago’s reputation by showcasing the culture, passion, and personal stakes of those involved. While mainstream media glorifies the crime and struggles of Chicago’s neighborhoods, this film highlights the resilience, artistry, and power within them. Footwork is a culture, a movement, and a lifestyle that has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s underground dance scene for decades. Toe to Toe seeks to provide an authentic, visually striking, and emotionally powerful portrayal of Footwork and the lives it shapes. We need your support to make it happen.
Producing Toe to Toe is the first step in catapulting Footwork onto a global stage.
Fundraising Goals & How You Can Help
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to bring Toe to Toe to the big screen.
For over a decade, we have dedicated ourselves to perfecting our craft and pushing the boundaries of footwork, dance, music, film, and more. From humble beginnings in the underground scene to performing on stages worldwide, we have grown and evolved as a collective, and we are grateful for the support of our fans, friends, and fellow dancers and artists, who have been with us every step of the way.
Our work in the community and our creative projects like Toe to Toe would not be possible without your support. Thank you for helping us bring this vision to life!
Ways You Can Support Our Work:
- Donate to our campaign! Your support goes directly to making this film a reality. Every donation is tax deductible.
- Share the campaign! Spread the word IRL and online! Help us expand our reach for this project.
- Follow us on social media to stay in the loop on Toe to Toe and our other projects.
Website: https://www.theerafootworkcollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theerafootwork/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wetheera
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theerafootwork/featured
While Chicago is often depicted through the lens of violence, Chicago Footwork—a high-energy dance form and music genre born from the same streets—offers a powerful alternative. Footwork is more than a dance form—it’s a lifeline, a way for young people to express themselves, build community and foster collective healing, and escape the cycle of crime that surrounds them. Despite its impact on the community, it has yet to receive the widespread recognition of other urban dance styles like breakdancing, krumping, or stepping.
Toe to Toe seeks to change that narrative. This film highlights the impact of Footwork as more than just entertainment—it’s a movement that saves lives. By showcasing the culture, passion, and personal stakes of those involved, Toe to Toe challenges the world to look beyond the surface of Chicago’s reputation. The city is not just about crime and struggle; it’s also about resilience, creativity, and a thriving underground culture that deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
Footwork dancing started on the West Side of Chicago in the 90’s to the sounds of house music. In the late 90’s, Footwork dancing inspired the creation of Footwork music, which is at a fast pace of 160 beats per minute. This was a new take on house music that was made specifically for street dancers to battle.
The Era’s primary slogan, “Footwork Saves Lives,” speaks to its importance in our lives and so many of our community. It embodies our cultural mission: to preserve our history, to contribute to our community, and to create opportunities for young, Black creatives. Chicago Footwork is under threat from the white supremacy, cultural appropriation, and commodification jeopardizing every Black art form in this country. As artists and culture bearers, we seek to protect and expand this art form, to see it thrive alongside the communities that created it.
Brandon K. Calhoun A.K.A Chief Manny is an Artist and culture bearer of the form Chicago Footwork. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the multi-faceted dance company The Era Footwork Collective, Brandon’s career encompasses dance, film, music, organizational leadership, and mentorship. Since founding The Era in 2014, Brandon and the collective have played a key role in the positioning of Chicago Footwork culture as a global phenomenon, through performance, music production, and international touring. Brandon contributed poetry, dance choreography, and film to the Era’s recent stage show IN THE WURKZ, which toured nationally. Brandon has received recognition for his artistic work from The Walder Foundation Platform Award and was recognized as a 2021 New Leader of Chicago by The Field and MacArthur Foundations.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rental
Costs $3,000
This will cover the cost of rental fees.
Talent/Actors
Costs $3,000
This cost will give me the ability to find the best people for the role.
Locations
Costs $4,000
This will cover all the location fees and permits
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The Era Footwork Foundation (The Era) is a multidisciplinary, community-centered artist collaborative based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2014, The Era’s mission is to preserve our footwork history, contribute to our community, and create opportunities for young, Black creatives. Through education, workshops, public performances, community music events, artistic projects, and dance battles, The Era serves as culture bearers of Chicago Footwork. The Era began as an informal dance collective and adapted its form and structure into an established nonprofit in 2023. The Era aims to economically sustain our artists, invest in the visibility of footwork as an artform, and create a sustainable future for the youth of our community, Chicago, and beyond.
The Era are pioneers of the battle dance known as Chicago Footwork. They have expanded upon what it means to be a dance crew, addressing inequality and racism through their lyrics and panel discussions and supporting women and girls in the documentation. In 2019, The Era was awarded the recent National Dance Prize from NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts) With IN THE WURKZ, dancers have been able to narrate their life stories through memories associated with footwork dancing – from “juke parties” at roller rinks on the South Side to battles after the Bud Billiken Parade in Jackson Park. The project toured nationally and internationally in 2020-2021 with support from NEFA.
Steelo, an Eastside Chicago native has grown a strong support of his clothing brand StitchedbySteelo. Starting off creating appreal for The Era Footwork Collective, his selftaught construction of garments has grown into a recognized street wear across the city of Chicago. He was awarded Chicago Dancemakers Forum "Lab Artist" award to create a show that focuses on how fabric influences the dance Chicago Footwork. Steelo's 1 of 1’s custom garments draw inspiration from the world around him, past generations & especially his hometown. As his brand continues to evolve, SBS looks to be a main source for unique and controlled pieces that defines a generations style.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Toe to Toe is set within the vibrant world of Chicago Footwork—a battle dance and music genre born in the poor Black communities of Chicago. In this community, the primary goal for many is to become the best battler. But for those who reach the top, a deeper journey begins. This story explores the politics of being a culture bearer - someone tasked with protecting and evolving a tradition. It examines the internal and external battles that arise when spreading culture: the tension between sharing and preserving, between growth and exploitation. How do you expand a community without giving it away for others to profit or commercialize?
An artistic production from The Era Footwork Foundation, Toe to Toe challenges the world to look beyond the surface of Chicago’s reputation by showcasing the culture, passion, and personal stakes of those involved. While mainstream media glorifies the crime and struggles of Chicago’s neighborhoods, this film highlights the resilience, artistry, and power within them. Footwork is a culture, a movement, and a lifestyle that has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s underground dance scene for decades. Toe to Toe seeks to provide an authentic, visually striking, and emotionally powerful portrayal of Footwork and the lives it shapes. We need your support to make it happen.
Producing Toe to Toe is the first step in catapulting Footwork onto a global stage.
Fundraising Goals & How You Can Help
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to bring Toe to Toe to the big screen.
For over a decade, we have dedicated ourselves to perfecting our craft and pushing the boundaries of footwork, dance, music, film, and more. From humble beginnings in the underground scene to performing on stages worldwide, we have grown and evolved as a collective, and we are grateful for the support of our fans, friends, and fellow dancers and artists, who have been with us every step of the way.
Our work in the community and our creative projects like Toe to Toe would not be possible without your support. Thank you for helping us bring this vision to life!
Ways You Can Support Our Work:
- Donate to our campaign! Your support goes directly to making this film a reality. Every donation is tax deductible.
- Share the campaign! Spread the word IRL and online! Help us expand our reach for this project.
- Follow us on social media to stay in the loop on Toe to Toe and our other projects.
Website: https://www.theerafootworkcollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theerafootwork/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wetheera
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theerafootwork/featured
While Chicago is often depicted through the lens of violence, Chicago Footwork—a high-energy dance form and music genre born from the same streets—offers a powerful alternative. Footwork is more than a dance form—it’s a lifeline, a way for young people to express themselves, build community and foster collective healing, and escape the cycle of crime that surrounds them. Despite its impact on the community, it has yet to receive the widespread recognition of other urban dance styles like breakdancing, krumping, or stepping.
Toe to Toe seeks to change that narrative. This film highlights the impact of Footwork as more than just entertainment—it’s a movement that saves lives. By showcasing the culture, passion, and personal stakes of those involved, Toe to Toe challenges the world to look beyond the surface of Chicago’s reputation. The city is not just about crime and struggle; it’s also about resilience, creativity, and a thriving underground culture that deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
Footwork dancing started on the West Side of Chicago in the 90’s to the sounds of house music. In the late 90’s, Footwork dancing inspired the creation of Footwork music, which is at a fast pace of 160 beats per minute. This was a new take on house music that was made specifically for street dancers to battle.
The Era’s primary slogan, “Footwork Saves Lives,” speaks to its importance in our lives and so many of our community. It embodies our cultural mission: to preserve our history, to contribute to our community, and to create opportunities for young, Black creatives. Chicago Footwork is under threat from the white supremacy, cultural appropriation, and commodification jeopardizing every Black art form in this country. As artists and culture bearers, we seek to protect and expand this art form, to see it thrive alongside the communities that created it.
Brandon K. Calhoun A.K.A Chief Manny is an Artist and culture bearer of the form Chicago Footwork. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the multi-faceted dance company The Era Footwork Collective, Brandon’s career encompasses dance, film, music, organizational leadership, and mentorship. Since founding The Era in 2014, Brandon and the collective have played a key role in the positioning of Chicago Footwork culture as a global phenomenon, through performance, music production, and international touring. Brandon contributed poetry, dance choreography, and film to the Era’s recent stage show IN THE WURKZ, which toured nationally. Brandon has received recognition for his artistic work from The Walder Foundation Platform Award and was recognized as a 2021 New Leader of Chicago by The Field and MacArthur Foundations.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rental
Costs $3,000
This will cover the cost of rental fees.
Talent/Actors
Costs $3,000
This cost will give me the ability to find the best people for the role.
Locations
Costs $4,000
This will cover all the location fees and permits
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The Era Footwork Foundation (The Era) is a multidisciplinary, community-centered artist collaborative based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2014, The Era’s mission is to preserve our footwork history, contribute to our community, and create opportunities for young, Black creatives. Through education, workshops, public performances, community music events, artistic projects, and dance battles, The Era serves as culture bearers of Chicago Footwork. The Era began as an informal dance collective and adapted its form and structure into an established nonprofit in 2023. The Era aims to economically sustain our artists, invest in the visibility of footwork as an artform, and create a sustainable future for the youth of our community, Chicago, and beyond.
The Era are pioneers of the battle dance known as Chicago Footwork. They have expanded upon what it means to be a dance crew, addressing inequality and racism through their lyrics and panel discussions and supporting women and girls in the documentation. In 2019, The Era was awarded the recent National Dance Prize from NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts) With IN THE WURKZ, dancers have been able to narrate their life stories through memories associated with footwork dancing – from “juke parties” at roller rinks on the South Side to battles after the Bud Billiken Parade in Jackson Park. The project toured nationally and internationally in 2020-2021 with support from NEFA.
Steelo, an Eastside Chicago native has grown a strong support of his clothing brand StitchedbySteelo. Starting off creating appreal for The Era Footwork Collective, his selftaught construction of garments has grown into a recognized street wear across the city of Chicago. He was awarded Chicago Dancemakers Forum "Lab Artist" award to create a show that focuses on how fabric influences the dance Chicago Footwork. Steelo's 1 of 1’s custom garments draw inspiration from the world around him, past generations & especially his hometown. As his brand continues to evolve, SBS looks to be a main source for unique and controlled pieces that defines a generations style.