Issue date: 10/16/09 Section: The Verge

Dorrian White, a senior psychology major, and Wondwessen Bishu, a junior accounting major, practice with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in Mcafee Gymnasium on Sunday for Saturday's Step Show. (Cody Rich/The Daily Eastern News)

The sounds of Alpha Phi Alpha's shoes slamming the gymnasium floor in McAfee exploded through the room sounding off echoes. The determination was etched into the fraternity members' faces as they practiced for Saturday's Step Show.

The Step Show is a concert competition that features "stepping," a stomp and clap dance that originated from slaves in the South. The National Pan-Hellenic Council hosts the event starting at 6 p.m. in the McAfee Gymnasium. It involved nine Historically Black Greek Fraternity and Sorority participants, with only five of the organizations on campus. The other four come from nearby universities and colleges.

With every step and move, the members of these groups are faced with the weight of history. The Step Show is a tradition for the six Greek organizations. Competing and winning, according to NPHC historian Thomas Evans, is everything.

"The competition is very serious," he said. "If you don't win, you lose your pride, you embarrass yourself in front of all the alumni that come back to watch. That's how these groups feel."

APA was the winning fraternity last year competing against Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma. This year, they will have to work to keep their title with the addition of another competitor Iota Phi Theta, the University of Illinois chapter. Only two sororities compete and both get prizes. However, Delta Sigma Theta has been crowned the top sorority for almost five years now.

Competition between the groups continues to rise like mushroom clouds as the showdown nears. The six competing groups have been practicing since the middle of summer for the traditional event. They have to be ready to win, APA President DeMarlon Brown said.

"Everything comes down to this for us," he explained. "This is our 40th anniversary on campus. And to win again, especially this year, this is something we dedicate an enormous amount of time to. We have 15 minutes to impress the judges. We have to give them a show."

Evans and Brown said all the shows are more like theatrical productions full of costumes, plot lines, skits and re-enactments. The groups choose a theme to center around and develop their own shows around it. Last year, APA chose to do the decades of dance. After MC Hammer pants and zoot suits and more, the group took the crown. But every year, they know they have to "bring it" in a new, more innovative way.

Six judges, each an alum from one of the organizations, critique the groups on their inventiveness. They must dazzle while dancing and all the while represent Greek tradition and Eastern. These judges have harsh criteria.

"If you mess up, if you don't have it, the judges will tell you you're bad," Brown said. "Don't expect your judgment to be sugar-coated."

The event is hosted by comedian Leon Rogers and deejayed by alum Tony Muse. The after party starts at 11 p.m. and lasts until 1:45 a.m. in McAfee Gymnasium. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets for the show can be purchased for $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

"Everyone wants to be there," Brown said. "They are exposed to a new medium of art, a new type of concert experience."

Brown, APA and the other Greeks are ready to face off firing steps across the stage. Let the battle begin.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or ksmoya@eiu.edu