The annual Greek Step Show is one of the most highly anticipated activities held during Homecoming Week.
This year hundreds of students, Greeks and other visitors filled the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center to witness the organizations representing Florida A&M University’s National Pan-Hellenic Council display their talents in this year’s Greek Step Show.
The Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. emerged victorious.
The show began with an introduction by host Arvin Mitchell, a comedian who recently performed at FAMU’s Coming to the Stage comedy series. The stepping kicked off with a performance by the Griffin Middle School Step Team.
Members from National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations strolled in between segments as Tallahassee’s DJ KD played popular hits and oldies.
The first participants in the step show were the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., whose theme was a black version of the cartoon series “The FlinTstones.” The show also featured performances by the Gamma Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., whose theme was “The Urban Legend of Zeta Phi Beta.”
Members of the sorority said this show was important to them because it was their first show in a long time.
“I’m happy we’re back on yard,” said Jennifer Cherilien, a graduate student from Fort Lauderdale. “This is our first step show since we’ve been back so we have to make a good impression.”
The members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. came down the middle aisle of the auditorium dressed in white and gold, strolling to DJ Unk’s “Walk it Out.” Their show consisted of steps that mimicked the four sororities in the NPHC.
The Beta Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. had a SWAT Team theme. The group incorporated moves from Beyonce’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Other performances included a ninja themed performance by the members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity from Albany State University and a presidential press conference theme by the Alpha Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
The Alphas took home the trophy for their performance of “The Bruhs,” a concept derived from the cartoon series “The Boondocks.”
“The concept came from us witnessing different issues that we’ve seen around campus and in the community,” said Rashad Brown, a senior criminal justice student from Tallahassee.
Brown said although the preparation for the show was tedious, everyone seemed to be pleased with the final product.”We are very honored to be recognized,” Brown said.
Although audience members were pleased with the men of Alpha Phi Alpha, many people said the climax of the show was the performance given by the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta. The ladies came on stage dressed in African tribal wear. During the show the sorority incorporated “tribal” skits that made references to other Greek sororities.
Many people were shocked when the step team instructed audience members to turn their attention to the Jumbo Tron, when they presented evidence supporting their claim that the AKAs stole steps from other chapters of their sorority.
“That was the highlight,” said Mitchell. ” That was some sh-, they did that.”
This year the Deltas won first place for the fifth consecutive year under the direction of step masters Cherlise Forshee, 21, and Amelia McDonald, 22.
“We were very pleased with the performance,” said Forshee, a senior business administration student from Miami. “We wanted to try something risky, something that people weren’t used to seeing.”