The National Pan-Hellenic Council at Ohio University will bring together nine African American fraternities and sororities to present the step show, True Hollywood Story: They Came to Step tonight.
Stepping is when a performer's entire body is used as an instrument to create rhythms and sounds through stomping, chanting, clapping and marching.
It's a lot of flashy moves
said Marc Anthony Cunningham, a senior studying media arts studies who will be performing in the show with the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. It's kind of like a military routine.
Stepping originated in African dancing, and the styles and moves of the performances have continued to evolve over the years. Step-dancing became more popular after being featured in films such as Stomp the Yard and Drumline.
It's just part of our history said Shad Williams, a junior studying mechanical engineering who is organizing the step show this year. Stepping is what our histories go back to and it's really something we love to do.
The step show is meant to demonstrate the creativity and unity of black sororities and fraternities at OU.
People should come see our funny side
our silly side
Cunningham said. A lot of fraternities don't step or march
so it gives people a chance to have a different outlook and let them know there's another level to us they haven't heard about.
Williams said he hopes a lot of people will come to the show this year to get a chance to see a different side of black Greek life.
It's a good experience to come out and see how much time and effort it took to bring it to a performance
Williams said. We have music
we have intermission acts this year and some surprises. It's going to be a learning experience. Not many people have seen a step show.
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