Greek Show loses three acts

Some things changed in 2008 at Southern University. Fewer acts during the comedy show and a scaled-down concert set the stage for abbreviated acts in the annual National Pan-Hellenic Council Greek Show, held last Friday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
The list of participating organizations was noticeably shorter than that of previous years, with only three fraternities and one sorority competing for both bragging rights and prize money.
Celebrating 110 years in existence, members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia opened the show with their a capella rendition of the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Hosted once again by Southern alum Terral Jackson Jr., with the help of Homecoming staple Max 94.1 Kool DJ SupaMike, Jackson gave the traditional roll call to all nine of the black Greek-lettered organization members, both old and new in attendance: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
SupaMike and Jackson got the crowd up and on their feet with Louisiana favorites like Partners-N-Crime’s “Pump tha Party,” and Juvenile’s “Back that Thang Up.”
The first and only exhibition act were the Gold-N-Bluez, who performed to recently-split pop group Danity Kane’s “Bad Girl.”
The first act to perform was the Alpha Sigma chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, who donned lab coats and Lil Wayne’s “Dr. Carter,” in a hospital scene. After throwing $20 into the crowd, the men excited the stage to make way for the next act.
Jackson, who was slightly annoyed at the lack of crowd participation, said that he was “amazed” at the less than welcoming team spirit both at the Greek show, and the pep rally the day before.
“I don’t ever remember being at an event where someone was begging or pleading to cheer for the Jaguar Nation,” he said.
In hopes of getting the audience involved in the next act, Kool DJ SupaMike played Southern favorite “Before I Let Go,” by Frankie Beverly and Maze.
Following the song, the Beta Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha took the stage reminiscent of the 2008 Summer Olympic games, and reaching back to a pose made famous in the 1968 Games by Tommie Smith.
Following the men was the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, who entered the stage in wheelchairs and straitjackets, after being confined in Ward 1.9.1.3., the only sorority to perform.
“For whatever reason, the show has been shortened,” said Jackson before announcing the final act and the subsequent results. “That’s all we got.”
Last to take the stage was the Rho chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, who were the reigning step show champions, who portrayed the souls of the dead “Sigma circus performers.”
After introducing the panel of judges, which included a graduate representative of each organization, and allowing the votes to be tallied.
Leading the men with 113 points was Alpha Phi Alpha, followed by Kappa Alpha Psi with 103, with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity closing the pack with 83 points. The winners received $1,000, $800 and $500 respectively. Tabasco added an extra $500 to the first place winner’s earnings.
Chapter president and member of the Alpha’s step team, Bobbye Mathews said that it felt, “good” to be champions again.
“I’m excited,” he said, when asked about representing Southern at the Bayou Classic’s step show in November. “Phi Beta Sigma beat us last year, but we came back and beat them,” Mathews said jokingly. “We’re going to bring it in New Orleans.”
Delta Sigma Theta also won $1500, and it was an “overwhelming” feeling for Deanna Blue, a junior chemistry major from Monroe.
“It feels really great, and of course, I’m excited to represent Southern at the Bayou Classic again.”