The sounds of laughter, excitement and sing-a-longs filled Moore Auditorium at Florida State University Wednesday evening. Students and members of the participating organizations gathered to witness the Black Student Union’s annual “Motown Get Down” event.
BSU’s Motown Get Down is a lip-sync competition for the different organizations on campus and encourages unity. This year BSU co-sponsored with FSU’s National Panhellenic Council to bring students a night of entertainment with the FSU chapter of Sistuhs, National Council of Negro Women, Ladies Mentoring Group, NPHC, and the BSU executive board participating.
FSU students Cachandre Rawlins and Terrence “Rashad” Smith hosted the show.
As the light dimmed with a countdown from the DJ, the crowd grew quiet as their attention hit the stage. Four volunteers sat in rows of two as the women of Ladies and NCNW opened the showcase. Dressed in flight attendant costumes the participants welcomed the audience to “flight 1935.” The crowd immediately grew wild at the group’s well-choreographed routine and their lip sync selections to “American Boy” by Estelle, Kelis’ “Milkshake,” and “Candy Kisses” by Amanda Perez.
As the crowd clapped and shouted following the performance, they seemed to enjoy the group’s travel through different musical eras.
After the first group, the hosts interacted with the crowd in a friendly competition of “complete the lyric” with four volunteers. However, the game had a twist to it. To complete the lyrics, whoever was the first to pop a balloon in their seat after the song got to answer. The game restarted twice due to contestants popping the balloons before the songs stopped.
The hosts played two rounds with new volunteers before the next group’s performance.
“The show was so much fun I thought it was going to be a regular boring lip-sync battle, but it was way more fun and energetic then I expected. And I love seeing the minority groups on campus coming together,” said Carol Dahi, a freshman interdisciplinary medical science major at FSU.
Although the event steered away from the “Motown” theme, the crowd kept the same lively energy throughout the rest of the performances. Members of the crowd rooted for those they were supporting and recited every song that played. The show featured popular songs and hits from artists such as Lil Mama, Bobby Shmurda, Trinidad James, Anthony Lewis, Saweetie, Johnny Kemp and many more.
Five performances made up the packed event, with creative costumes and humorous role-playing. BSU’s executive board members put their best feet forward for the finale. The males and females performed separately then joined together to end the show.
Later all participants were called to the stage for the announcement for the “fan favorite” award, and winner of the “Motown Get Down” lip-sync competition. Sistuhs took home both awards receiving a standing ovation with loud cheers for the "fan favorite" voting and high scores from the judges. FSU’s BSU presented the group with flowers and a plaque of achievement.
“I really enjoyed performing, it was fun, and it allowed me to step outside my comfort zone,” said Tatianna Duperier, a freshman at FSU and member of Sistuhs. “Plus we won, so it made this experience even better.”