Diverse groups step out in sync

Correction
Due to an editing error, the photo caption accompanying the April 11 article “Diverse group steps out in sync” states that Morgan State University is located in Florida. The university is in Maryland.

 

The diverse crowd at the 16th annual Greek Freak Invitational Stepshow and Afterparty on Saturday night proved that it only takes a single mutual interest to fuse an unlikely medley of audience members.

The more than 2,500 people who filed through the bleachers of Carmichael Auditorium were interested in seeing some of the best clapping, dancing, stomping — and, occasionally, grinding — that teams hailing from Pennsylvania to Florida had to offer.

“Everyone brought such quality acts and performances,” said T.J. Abrams, president of the Mu Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc., which hosted the event.

“This is huge for the Carolina community,” he said. “This is one of the biggest shows in the Southeast … and it’s a testament to how strong the Greek community is here.”

Performances were a high-energy blur of rhythmic movement that included canes, chairs and swords. Costumes choices ranged from suspenders to jumpsuits, and the sounds emanating from the stage were a blend of crisp stomps and the latest hip-hop singles.

Senior Jason Lucas, a journalism major and member of the Mu Zeta chapter, said the show offered an opportunity for Greek unity across racial boundaries. “This is great exposure for the school,” he said. “UNC is doing a lot of things with diversity.”

Katima Underwood, a junior at N.C. A&T University, performed with the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and was out of breath after the rigorous routine. “Stepping is all about the audience,” she said.

Underwood, whose day can last from a class at 9 a.m. to step practice ending long past midnight, said the dedication is worth it. “We all come together for the love of music.”

LaTasha Payne — a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority Inc., who performed with the Philly Felines team from Philadelphia — said she steps because she wants to represent what her sorority stands for.

“We do it to showcase a traditional art that we have in our organizations,” she said.

The audience was visibly impressed by the talent exhibited. When an especially creative move was made or a favorite song was sampled onstage, members of the crowd jumped to their feet and roared their approval.

Helena Thomas, a UNC sophomore education major, said she was excited to finally experience the “much-hyped” Greek Freak, which did not take place last year because of scheduling issues.

Greek Freak also drew students outside the Chapel Hill community.

Rico Warren, a freshman computer science major at UNC-Pembroke, said the best routines necessitated creativity. “I would also like for all Greeks to be able to chill and put aside beef with everybody else,” he said.

Keith “Suede” DosReis Jr., the emcee for the program, included remarks about respect throughout the program.

A fight took place toward the end of Greek Freak in 2003 between members of two fraternities, and police were forced to intervene. But this year’s event appeared to be incident-free.

Judges deemed the top female group to be the Philly Felines, representing Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. The Eta Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc. from N.C. State University took the top male honor.

Proceeds from the event will be used to fund a scholarship and to make a donation to the Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation Inc. All other proceeds will go to future service projects of the Mu Zeta chapter, Abrams said.

Peter Clayton, a junior international studies major and member of Mu Zeta, said Greek Freak highlights what fraternities and sororities are about: brotherhood and sisterhood.

“I think it brings a lot of students together that wouldn’t usually come together in a big celebratory way.”

 

Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.