RAMS Rock-It blasts off at The Blue Note

By Jess Camp

Published Feb. 20, 2007

The Blue Note opened its doors to a variety of strange acts Monday night. Men wearing animal-patterned skirts with painted handprints splashed across their chests crawled on their hands and knees in front of screaming fans. Women wearing bright blue wigs, vibrant yellow dresses and mini-dresses in swirling neon colors danced around the stage.

But all the fun had a purpose. Rockin' Against Multiple Sclerosis sponsored the annual lip-synching battle with many Greek organizations around the campus as participants.

RAMS is the largest campus-wide philanthropy organization and is dedicated to increasing awareness of multiple sclerosis. All of the proceeds from RAMS benefit the local MS Institute. Organizers said it is important to enhance everyone's knowledge about multiple sclerosis and to help those diagnosed with it.

In between acts the two emcees, senior Amy Kamath and junior Shawn Sahota, took the stage and participated in witty banter that kept the crowd energized.

"Ladies, you may want to keep your legs closed because this song could impregnate you," Sahota said while Farmhouse fraternity set up its instruments to perform a Beastie Boys song.

But the performers didn't let their nerves get the best of them.

"I was a little nervous," said Leslie Horn, freshman and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority member. "But my adrenaline was pumping. I had all of the girls from the house here supporting me. I love performing, too."

Not only did students come out to watch the show, but parents did as well. Darin McClure drove from St. Louis to see his daughter perform.

"It was a lot of fun," he said. "I didn't know what to expect. She called and told me that she was in a skit, and I didn't have to work today, so I decided to drive out here and see her."

Sherry Smith drove four hours to see the daughter of her best friend perform.

"This is fun," she said. "We drove down here today and will go right back tonight. We have to work tomorrow, but this is a great way to spend a Monday night."

Senior Lacey Hanson, a member of Phi Mu sorority and a former columnist for The Maneater, said it was odd being in the audience for this show. She said she has performed in the past years but didn't have enough time this semester because of her upcoming May graduation.

"I'm here supporting my girls," she said. "They have worked hard on this for weeks. It's also cool to see all of the other groups perform. RAMS is a great organization."

Sororities performed the majority of the acts, but a few fraternities joined in as well.

"I'm excited, not nervous," Phi Kappa Theta fraternity member Larry Hall said. "I think we're more prepared than last year."

Hall's chapter performed a tribute to Will Smith.

Farmhouse provided the night's crowd-pleasing performance. Its members' song was a mixture of various jungle-themed songs, highlighted by their dancing to Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

Tuesday night will feature another group of acts, and on Thursday, the finalists from both nights will be announced, leading to a Friday night showdown.