Housing step show honors ’70s culture

 

Photo Courtesy: Edward Robinson

Florida A&M University’s Homecoming Housing Step Show lit up the Will Packer Amphitheater on October 28, as students, alumni, and community members gathered to celebrate the night’s performances. 

Themed “Remember the Times,” this year’s show honored the spirit of the 1970s, blending nostalgia with campus pride in a showcase of talent and creativity. 

Hosted by Justice Johnson and Miles Howard, with DJLoosekid providing the music, the show featured four teams competing for the top prize: IMPACT, INSYNC, TNT, and VGS. Each team used iconic elements of the 1970s into their routines, drawing inspiration from cultural touchstones like the Black Mafia, Roll Bounce, Fat Albert, and the classic dance show Soul Train.

The amphitheater pulsed with energy as the teams combined rhythm, storytelling, and athleticism, creating a retro atmosphere that captivated the crowd. 

Adding to the night’s excitement were special performances from The Sensai, Thee Melodic Stepping Experience (MSE), the Distinguished Young Gentlemen (DYG), House Arrest, and the Rampage Step Team. Each group brought its own style and energy to the stage, enhancing the spirit of celebration and further entertaining the audience. 

After a dazzling showcase, the competition results were announced: TNT earned third place, IMPACT took second, and INSYNC claimed first for the third consecutive year. Pre-nursing scholar Makayla Harris, a member of INSYNC, shared her excitement and reflected on the hard work that led to their victory.

“I joined just for fun, and the first month was tough,” Harris said. “But we grew closer as a team, and now we have these bonds that go beyond the step show.” 

Miles Howard, a third-year mathematics education major and the night’s co-host, emphasized the step show’s role as an inclusive and joyful campus tradition. “The Housing Step Show is a great way for everyone to get involved and come out of their shell,” Howard remarked, noting its impact on building community spirit and fostering student connections across various majors and backgrounds. 

Jasmine Walker, a third-year architecture student performing with MSE, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the lasting friendships and unity the step show fosters. “Some people I met my freshman year in the step show are still my closest friends,” Walker said. “It builds connections not only within your dorm but across the whole campus.” 

The FAMU Homecoming Housing Step Show remains a beloved tradition, uniting students and alumni in a celebration of culture, community, and Rattler pride. As the event concluded, participants left with new memories, stronger bonds, and a renewed sense of connection to FAMU’s vibrant campus life, ready to carry the spirit of the night forward.