National Pan-Hellenic Council step show attracts two thousand

Dynamic step routines graced the stage when Pitt fraternities and sororities within the National… Dynamic step routines graced the stage when Pitt fraternities and sororities within the National Pan-Hellenic Council performed during the 14th annual Steel City Step Show Saturday night.

About 2,000 people filled Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall for the event, which was hosted by Pitt alumnus Nick Pratt.

The Alpha Phi Alpha brothers nabbed the first place prize of $900 in the men’s division. Phi Beta Sigma came second and secured the $450 prize. The Delta Sigma Theta sisters won first place in the women’s, and Zeta Phi Beta took second place.

Each fraternity and sorority sent a representative to serve on the panel of judges. The panel judged the groups based on their synchronization, audience interaction and creativity.

The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma opened the show with a video introduction that featured them practicing for their step performance. The short film culminated in the words “We are Phi Beta Sigma and this is what we do.”

Sporting white headbands along with blue T-shirts and white shorts, Phi Beta Sigma put on intense expressions and stomped the ground in synchronized movements. Using blue chairs and their headbands as props, the brothers clapped and moved their hands to a choreographed routine while blindfolded.

The Delta Sigma Theta sisters followed the first act with one of similar intensity. Dramatic music permeated throughout their video introduction, which was accentuated by a warning message: “The year was 2011 when the women stopped playing nice.”

Dressed in high boots and slick red overcoats, the sisters thumped their chests and stepped to chants and howls. Alternating between stomping, jumping and kicking, Delta Sigma Theta’s stepping grew faster and more intense as the show progressed.

Donning white outfits similar to those worn by mental patients, Kappa Alpha Psi entered next, dancing to a cover of ’NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” When the brothers used bright red sticks to strike the stage, the audience voiced its approval with an audible increase in cheering.

The brothers ended their performance with a series of push-ups that simulated sea waves.

Steel City Bhangra, an Indian dance troupe, performed Indian dance moves in traditional clothing during the intermission.

When the Zeta Phi Beta sisters ended their step performance with splits, the audience rose for a standing ovation.

The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity did a parody of the movie “Inception,” characterized by a “step within a step within a step.” Titled “InSTEPtion,” the brothers’ performance included several costume changes.

Iota Phi Theta ended the show with more sensual dance moves, which culminated in the men pulling lingerie from their pockets and throwing it toward the back of the stage.

Freshman Pearl Eni said that the step show is a great opportunity to celebrate black culture because it’s an important part of the culture at Pitt.

“The show also gives non-black people a chance to experience black culture,” Eni said.

Sophomore Desiree White, member of Zeta Phi Beta, said before the show that her sorority had practiced every day this semester.

She said that their practices would often go on into the wee hours of the morning.

White went on to say that the show allowed people to see the talents of members of black Greek organizations. She also said that she hoped her team would wow the crowd and make themselves proud.

Summer Rothrock, organizer of the show and coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, shared similar sentiments in an e-mail.

“The show is a great opportunity to see not only the hard work that NPHC puts into this annual event, but also the wonderful performances,” she wrote.