More than 1,000 people packed Mershon auditorium Friday for the 17th annual Pan-Hellenic Step Show. The show, which was part of the Heritage Festival, is usually one of the largest events of the festival and this year was no exception.
“It was good,” said Mya Mapp, a junior in business. “The steps were good, and it was a pretty positive experience.”
Stepping is a tradition of black greek organizations dating back to the 1940s, with roots in African dancing and Masonic rituals. Step shows are a chance for greeks to display their skills and celebrate their rich history.
Seven of the “Divine Nine”, the nine historically black fraternities and sororities, performed, including two sororities – Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho – and five fraternities – Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Iota Phi Theta and Phi Beta Sigma.
The members of Delta Sigma Theta took the stage first, running out as masked, escaped convicts. The crowd got excited when they stepped to “Atomic Dogg” by George Clinton and performed some of their brother fraternity, Omega Psi Phi’s, trademark steps.
In line with their escaped convict theme, a 911 operator announced that the Deltas were trying to steal the show and the crowd erupted in laughter as the “Cops” theme played and a fat, gray-haired cop came on stage and led the steps. On the display screen comedian Steve Harvey found the Deltas guilty and sentenced them as the hardest steppers on the yard. The Deltas were given chains and rocked off the stage.
Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma also performed before intermission.
The most humorous part of the Alphas’ routine occured when they performed some of the Alpha Kappa Alpha’s trademark moves, such as their gazing in the mirror piece.
The Omegas performed an Army routine, and the crowd broke into an uproar when the cadet leader wiped his sweat on the other members and licked two of them across the face.
This year Phi Beta Sigma was represented by three members from Miami University’s chapter, and despite announcing that they were known for winning, the crowd did not seem to believe them. When they performed their trademark blindfold step, one of their blindfolds fell off. Some audience members commented that the Sigmas looked unpracticed and inexperienced.
During intermission the hip-hop dance group from Chicago, DanceLinx, performed, and William E. Nelson gave a speech on the importance of voting.
“If we’regoing to step, let’s step right,” Nelson said.
Not only were college students in attendance, but children were there to enjoy the show as well.
“It’s great,” said 8-year-old Jahi Dial.
Members of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity opened up after the intermissionand got the crowd excited as Usher’s “Yeah” played while they performed the video’s moves. The routine was full of comedy and kept the crowd laughing as it had a Geico skit and the Coca-Cola theme song.
When the Iotas used one of their members as a jump rope, and actually jumped with him the entire audience was up on their feet. The Iotas even performed the Temptations’ “Ain’t too Proud to Beg,” complete with the original choreography. It received the loudest response from the audience thus far.
Sigma Gamma Rho, represented by three young women, entered the stage clad in sheets. They gave a tribute to the fraternities by performing the trademark steps of the Alphas, Omegas and Iotas. They even stepped with canes and performed cane tricks like the Kappas. They ended their routine to “I Like the Way You Move,” complete with their own umbrella-toting Bentley Fonzworth.
The Kappas were last and lived up to their nickname – the Nasty Nupes. They started out dressed in all black with red ties, but they did not keep their clothes on for long. The self-proclaimed playboys striped off their shirts in order to “give the ladies what they want,” and stated that “ladies know it’s just a fact, a Kappa man will break your back.” Other antics included pulling women onto the stage and feeding them strawberries. Although they thrilled most of the female population, their “nasty” act got them disqualified.
Delta Sigma Theta and Iota Phi Theta won the competition and each walked away with a giant golden boot trophy and a $1,500 check.
The Deltas were excited about the award, making this their fifth win.
“It feels good to uphold the legacy,” said Keisha Craford, a senior in consumer affairs who performed in the show.
The Iotas were even more excited because this was their first win.
“We’ve never won,” said Karim Todd, the undergraduate adviser and stepper in the show. “It’s our first time and it feels good to be part of history. I wouldn’t give it up for nothing.”
Carlos Rojas, the Pan-Hellenic Council president, was proud of the event.
“Each organization did an exceptional job,” Rojas said. “I’m glad there was a full house and that everyone came out in support.”
Despite being happy about the event, he was disappointed at his brothers’, the Kappas, disqualification.
“I wish they didn’t take off their shirt,” he said.
Step Show co-chair Chibundu Nnake said the event was a success.
