Greek Sing fundraises for charity

Phi Delta Theta airlines experienced turbulence Friday, shaking up the stage as pilots with… Phi Delta Theta airlines experienced turbulence Friday, shaking up the stage as pilots with their Kappa Kappa Gamma flight attendants.

The groups were one of 11 fraternity-sorority acts to perform at the annual Greek Sing competition in the Fitzgerald Field House on Saturday night.

The acts of the night varied from Freddy Krueger popping and locking his way out of nightmares and onto a “Nightmare on Elm Street”-themed stage to Indiana Jones dancing his way along his quest for the Golden Panther.

The competition brought an end to Greek Week, a week of academic challenges, blood drives and other events meant primarily to raise money for charity, and served as the Greek community’s largest fundraiser, with more than 2,200 people attending. The event raised money through ticket sales, charging $10 in advance and $15 at the door, but also collected funds from attendees who donated during the performances for the fan favorite award.

The event raised more than $25,000, said Kristine Kashmere, senior and member of Greek Sing Overall, the group coordinating the event. The money will go toward the $500,000 pledge the Interfraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Conference made to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute for thoracic and lung cancer in 2005.

Six years after making its pledge, the Greek community has raised now raised more than $400,000 toward its goal.

Paired fraternities and sororities danced, sang and acted their way across the stage with elaborate set designs as the crowd cheered on.

Greek sing winners Delta Phi Epsilon and Kappa Sigma transformed the stage from a local cafe by day to a 1920s speakeasy by night as they danced to a set list including Lady Gaga’s “Dance in the Dark” and “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!)” by the Beastie Boys, all while attempting to avoid the attention of “police.”

“I thought everyone was really good, so we’ll see how it goes,” said Jake Stein, sophomore and performing member of circus-themed Delta Tau Delta, as he awaited the judge’s decision still dressed in his clown costume. His fraternity, paired with sorority Delta Zeta, won the award for best costumes.

Meredith Zebrowski, Greek Sing Overall, said that preparation for the event began last April and many pairs began practicing early last semester.

Pairs were assigned based on the previous year’s Greek Week points, with those scoring the highest having first pick of their partners.

“We started practicing in January, but we were choreographing over winter break,” said Jamie Anderson, senior Delta Delta Delta member whose sorority put on a Moulin Rouge-themed performance with Delta Chi fraternity. “I know it has been more competitive because we have been starting earlier and earlier.”

The paired Greeks and runners-up for the event, dressed in black pants and suspenders for men and red corset-like tops with spandex for women, reenacted scenes from the movie, performing a sultry tango and a kickline.

Delta Chi even paid tribute to Justin Bieber, imitating his choreographed dance moves as members danced to “Somebody to Love.”

The competition was judged by Lauren Plavchak, president of the Pitt Ballet Club; Susan Gillis, director of Pitt Dance Ensemble; DJ Zimmie, a DJ for Jay-Z’s club in New York City; Rebecca Jamrozik, Greek Life adviser for Duquesne; and Amy Ansbaugh of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Plavchak said that groups were judged on several factors, including choreography, entertainment value, costumes and design, as well as male and female vocals.

Greek Sing Winners:

1st Place: Delta Phi Epsilon & Kappa Sigma

2nd Place: Delta Delta Delta & Delta Chi

3rd Place: Kappa Kappa Gamma & Phi Delta Theta

Best Male Singer: Sigma Phi Epsilon

Best Female Singer: Kappa Delta

Best Set: Alpha Epsilon Phi & Zeta Beta Tau

Best Costumes: Delta Zeta & Delta Tau Delta

Best Choreography: Sigma Sigma Sigma & Pi Kappa Alpha

Fan Favorite: Chi Omega, Phi Kappa Theta & Sigma Alpha Mu