Step show to highlight Penn Relays

In one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year, the annual Penn Relays Step Show, sponsored by the BiCultural InterGreek Council, will take place this Saturday night in Irvine Auditorium.

Countless hours of training on the part of step teams from BIG-C chapters from Penn and local colleges will awe the crowd, and Penn's Inspiration, Onda Latina, PENNaach and Footworkaz will perform.

"You get more than your money's worth," Program Coordinator for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Larry Moses said. "It's going to be a high-paced, energetic, full-of-action extravaganza."

Stepping traditionally incorporates synchronized dance steps, rhythmic percussion, stomping, clapping and chanting.

Each of the 10 step teams performing -- including Penn's BIG-C chapters Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Kappa Alpha -- have their own distinct step and shout.

"It's not just what happens on stage that's the show, it's the whole thing," OFSA Associate Director for Programming Lea Shafer said. "It certainly is extremely entertaining. In no way are any of the performers amateur."

"It'll be a show that will cap off what has been a tremendous year for the BIG-C in terms of growth and continued success here at the University of Pennsylvania," Moses said. "We're going to keep it popping, it's going to be loud, it's going to be full of energy and it's just going to be a great celebration."

The show, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature EMI recording artists Les Nubians as celebrity judges. Proceeds will be distributed among the BIG-C groups to fund their community service projects and scholarship programs for next year.

Irvine is expected to sell out, with many members of the audience in Philadelphia for the Penn Relays. The USA National Track Team, participating in a USA v. the World event during the Relays, will be in attendance, with many of their members in BIG-C chapters. In addition, Penn is paying for some students from the West Philadelphia community to attend.

"People are coming from all over to attend the step show," BIG-C Parliamentarian and Alpha Phi Alpha brother Imo Udom said. "In combination with Penn Relays, it's going to be a phenomenal event."

"Larry Moses has made a lot of sacrifices and has put so much effort into this that there is no doubting the success of the event," Udom added.

Before the step show begins, there will be festivities in Wynn Commons lasting from 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. This "Greek City block party" will feature music and food vendors.

Moses stressed that Greek City and the show itself are open to all members of the Penn community. Tickets cost $10, and are available on Locust Walk and at the door.

With the scope of the step show increasing every year, Moses spoke of its evolution into a completely enthralling super-event. "Sometimes I feel like I'm the P. T. Barnum of step shows," Moses joked. "It will be an extravaganza."

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