Feature: Students step into Fall Fest
Published Sept. 15, 2006
It was a party at Carnahan Quadrangle on Wednesday evening as diverse student organizations came together for Fall Fest. The annual event was sponsored by the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.
"This is an opportunity for African-American students to get acquainted on a large scale," said Nathan Stephens, director of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. "They are given exposure to the Columbia community and to MU."
Free to the public, the event featured approximately 50 booths that included student organizations, religious groups and businesses.
The Legion of Black Collegians represented many student groups, including the LBC Shades dance team and the LBC gospel choir.
"It's good that all the different organizations can come together like this," LBC President Jabari Turner said.
This year, Fall Fest was the biggest it has ever been, Stephens said. The event was previously held in front of the Black Culture Center until it outgrew that location.
Two consistently mentioned benefits of participating in Fall Fest were exposure to students and connection with the community. Many student groups focused on recruitment for their organizations. Fraternities and sororities looked mostly to raise awareness about their organizations.
"We get people in this demographic to come out and participate in the community and use their time wisely," said Christopher Keller, president of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Other groups, such as the "His Life" praise dance team, are still going through the student organization approval process. Organizations such as the Voluntary Action Center and Campus Dining Services were also on hand to recruit student volunteers and students looking for jobs.
Religious groups also played a large role at Fall Fest. By promoting a positive image, the religious groups hoped to share the love of Christ, said Shaunese Foreman, member of The Impact Movement.
"We want to network and connect with students who are interested in spiritual solutions to racial problems," Sahba Jalali, a member of the MU Baha'i Association, said.
Local businesses, such as Mary Smith's Beauty Salon, were also represented. Salon employee Bridget Hollis said she was looking to build clientele and noted that the event has grown every year.
"(Fall Fest) is much needed for the people in town," she said, citing the ability for businesses to interact directly with potential customers.
As students and community members began to circle the tables set up at Fall Fest, the event opened with a performance of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" sung by gospel choir member Bisserat Tseggai.
Free food, including chicken, baked beans and potato salad, was served by the Black Culture Center.
"This was my first year doing Fall Fest, and I loved it," said Heather Anthony, vice president of Zeta Phi Beta sorority.
The most well attended event of the night was the dance and step show.As the show began, attendees of Fall Fest filtered over and formed a large circle surrounding the performance area. Excitement filled the air as the first performer, Nick Rodriguez, displayed his signature style of break dancing. Rodriguez, a part of the Poetry in Motion dance group, described his style as "going off."
"Most people will say 'going off' like you are really mad, but we apply it to dancing," he said.
Rodriguez said he felt the show went well and was organized. DJ Gregg Jackson played rap and hip-hop music throughout the event and introduced the step show participants.
Other dance groups that performed were LBC Shades, Outer Limits and the Hispanic American Leadership Organization. HALO was the only Hispanic dance group in the event.
"I wish there was more diversity," said Kernef Jackson, president of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
After those groups performed, NPHC chapters took the stage. The crowd became even rowdier as the rivalry unfolded.
"You hear chants and rivalry, but it's all in good fun," said Andom Gherezghiher, a member Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. "These are people we go to class and play sports with everyday."
Seven fraternities and sororities performed in the step show. The event is looked at as a source of entertainment as well as a way to show off your fraternity or sorority, Jackson said.
"It is a way of expressing yourself and your organization," he said.
Dean Kpere-Daibo, president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, said step has become very important in black fraternities and sororities.
"It's a celebration of African-American heritage," Kpere-Daibo said.
The step show incited excitement and energy from the crowd and drew plenty responses.
"I loved it," said Tiffany Bridges, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. "I was nervous at first, but it was nice to have support from the crowd."
Stepping is described as a rhythmic expression using your hands and feet. The feet are used as a bass drum while the hands are used as snares, said junior Jericho Riley. It became a mix of stomp and African heritage, along with added hip-hop movements, he said.
Using the hands to make beats, hitting different parts of the body can make different sounds. Origins of step are found rooted in the culture of African slaves, Riley said.
"This is kind of just a tribute to connections that African Americans have with their ancestry," Riley said.
Step dancing has become a very important aspect of the African-American Greek culture, said Taryn Williams, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
There are certain styles, moves and traditions connected with the different Greek organizations in regards to stepping. For instance, Gherezghiher said Alpha Phi Alpha is known for precision moves and harmony in its routine. Omega Psi Phi fraternity is known for wearing large, gold boots in their performances.
Gherezghiher said it was a great opportunity for the student body to get out and get information about all the organizations and clubs that are available to them.
In the end, Stephens said Fall Fest was all about "food, friends and fellowship."