UF tradition continues with step show Saturday

February 14, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In celebration of Black History Month, the Black Student Union at the University of Florida presents the 18th Annual Florida Invitational Step Show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the O’Connell Center.

The Florida Invitational Step Show is one of the largest step shows in the Southeast, unifying all nine historically black Greek-lettered organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Stepping is an art which originated in Africa. As a way to represent their organizations, students integrated these cultural dance traditions into their Greek-lettered organizations at historically black colleges and universities.

Last year, more than 3,000 people attended this Greek extravaganza to watch teams compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes. This year, one fraternity and sorority will each take home $3,000 for the first-place prize. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Clifford Cole Scholarship Memorial Fund, which supports students and their educational needs in the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are $12 for UF students, $16 for the general public and $20 the day of the show. There is no reserved seating. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Before the step show, a free event known as Greek Fest will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on the Reitz Union North Lawn, featuring games, music, food and entertainment.
For more information about the 18th Annual Florida Invitational Step Show, visit http://www.gotfiss.com.