Competition funds disability charity

Saturday night, members of Kent State’s greek community organized and took part in a dance competition that raised $15,728 for Hattie Larlham, an organization that provides health care and social programs for children and adults with disabilities. Kyle Ro

Credit: DKS Editors

Zombies crawled across the Student Center Ballroom’s stage, followed by toga-clad fraternity brothers and tool-belt-wearing sorority sisters.

Loud laughter, chapter chants and abundant applause filled the room as friends and family joined the Greek community’s dancing and singing.

No, it wasn’t a delayed Halloween party, though the atmosphere felt otherwise. Instead, the Greeks of Kent State dedicated Saturday night to their annual Songfest.

“Every year, the Greeks come together to put on Songfest,” said Michael Richardson, vice president of philanthropy for the Interfraternity Council. “It’s a song, dance, skit competition we have against each other.”

Six teams of sororities and fraternities took the stage to perform a skit and three songs based on their assigned themes. With themes ranging from “monsters” to “Do you believe in magic?” there was no shortage of variety during the show.

Each team not only competed to hold the title of best performance, but also raised a total of $15,782 for Hattie Larlham, an organization that helps children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Though the show didn’t kick off until 8:15 p.m., the Greek teams and their supporters had most seats filled an hour before it began. Audience members spent the time preparing performers and observing the wild costumes and crazy dance moves.

Choreography dominated the first performance, in which Alpha Xi Delta sisters teamed up with the brothers of Lambda Chi and Sigma Nu. The performers kicked, jumped and sang through the routine and surprised the crowd with an appearance from “Bobby Brown” (or at least his fraternity stunt double) during his “My Prerogative” song.

Delta Zeta sisters and the four fraternities accompanying them performed “Do You Believe in Magic?” Their magician pulled a bunny-costume-clad frat boy out of his hat and then executed a disappearing act.

Six Kappa Alpha Psi members stomped to “Magic Stick” and led a “freestyle” chant about their teammates.

After sitting in the crowd wearing ripped zombie-worthy attire and perfectly messed hair for the first half of the show, members of the “monster” team (Chi Omega, Alpha Tau Omega and Delta Tau Delta) had the chance to scare attendees with their routine. Several dance moves were reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” choreography.

After six performances, the judges were ready to reveal the winner. After several nerve-wracking minutes among the competitors, Richardson finally announced Alpha Phi, Phi Delta Theta and Phi Sigma Kappa as the 2009 Songfest Champions.

Their “money”-themed routine included a humorous skit about a money-blowing trip to Las Vegas, glitter-covered props and a rendition of Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA.”

Despite the excitement of performing and the thrill of competition, event organizers said the reason for Songfest is to be able to give back.

“A night like tonight makes me happy to be a Greek,” Richardson said.

Contact Greek life and ROTC reporter Kate Sheafer at [email protected].