On Saturday, January 23, at 7:30 pm, Step Into Action: Step Show Competition will bring the percussive, up-to-your-head and down-to-your-shoes rhythm of step dancing to Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts in a stunning exhibition of high-energy, synchronized teamwork and collective pride.
In stepping, the entire body becomes an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through spoken words, kicks, slam-steps and hand claps, all done in march and military-style formations. It also draws on elements from Africa and the Caribbean and often incorporates daring stunts with canes, firesticks and blindfolds into the routine.
But stepping is really about more than just creating rhythm, more than just dancing and more than just music. It's a link with a dynamic, shared cultural history, with roots deep in African cultures, competitive schoolyard song and dance rituals, and 20th-century rhythm and blues.
Stepping has long been a cultural tradition in the nine historic African American
fraternities and sororities of the Pan-Hellenic Council. Often called the "Divine Nine," they include Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Gamma Ro and Iota Phi Theta. There, members join in competitive, synchronized, call-and-response routines that create bonding and organizational pride, as well as an incredible level of entertainment energy and audience excitement.
At Jorgensen, the UConn All-Stars will show off their unique technique, followed by the teams from the Divine Nine in a competitive stomp-fest, and concluding with a dynamic routine by UConn's Pivotal Motion. Don't miss this unique Husky Headliner event, co-sponsored by Jorgensen, the Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG), the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the UConn Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. So Step Into Action and step up to Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs, for an evening of high-powered entertainment with MC Jenny Boom Boom of Hot 93.7 radio.
Tickets are $5 for UConn Students, $10 for non-UConn students, and $15 for all others. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 860.486.4226, Monday through Friday, 11 am-
5 pm, or order online at jorgensen.uconn.edu. Convenient, free parking is available across the street in the North Garage.
