Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Theta Rho Zeta Chapter and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Epsilon Tau Sigma Chapter win the first local step show held.
Stepping has been seen in movies like Drumline, Stomp the Yard and School Daze. It is a major part of African American Greek life. The first annual National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc. of Lansing (NPHC) “Stepping Towards Greatness” step show was held at the Kellogg Center on May 2, 2009. It featured area teams from the alumni chapters of sororities and fraternities competing for trophies and scholarship prize money as they presented step routines. Hosting the show were radio personalities EJ Creig and GiGi from WQHH Power 96.5.
According to Wikipedia, stepping or step-dancing is a form of percussive dance in which the participant’s entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word and hand claps. Though stepping may be performed by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements that resemble some type military formation.
Stepping is also steeped in a rich African music tradition, which is both rhythmic and improvisational at times. It has become a major performance of the visual and physical.
The show featured seven step teams comprised of graduate Greek-letter organizations:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; and high school teams:
Everett High School’s SISTAHS and Holt High School’s II Geeked performed during intermission.
The teams were judged on creativity, audience interaction, complexity, synchronization, vocal clarity and enthusiasm to name a few, according to NPHC President Nettavia D. Curry. The winning teams were Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Theta Rho Zeta Chapter).
"The local event was family-friendly, with profanity prohibited, so it was a good time for all", said Curry.
Lynnette Coulter of Zeta Phi Beta was dressed in a conductor’s hat as she took the audience on a journey to give some of the historic background of the Sorority as well as recognize the accomplishments of President Barack Obama. Their step included an imaginary train ride on the Zeta Train that took the audience to Howard University where Zeta was born thanks to five women who chose to exemplify scholarship, service, sisterly love, and finer womanhood.
The ride then took the audience to Birch Haven in Idlewild, Michigan where their Soror Violet Anderson bequeathed her property to the Sorority in 1937. Finally, they went back to Washington D.C. to recognize President Barack Obama. To go with the theme, the conductor signaled each stop and visuals were chosen to show the audience the different stops on a wide screen on the stage. Angela Philmore was the stepmistress for the Zetas and Korey Scott and Christopher Covington were the stepmasters for the Sigmas.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the community programs and sponsorships by the NPHC.
