The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) brought Greek life to center stage on March 19 with their annual Yard Show. The event featured performances from fraternities and sororities, showcasing their unique traditions: stepping and strolling dance styles.
Marquise Vaine, a senior sound and visual arts major and a member of Phi Beta Sigma, played a key role in organizing his fraternity’s performance.
“It was me and my line brother. We sat down, picked the songs, and made sure they brought energy,” Vaine said. “We wanted to wow the crowd, make them hype, and just have fun.”
The Yard Show not only served as entertainment but also as an opportunity to educate attendees on Greek life traditions.
“Although our performance is fun, there are cultural elements embedded in it,” Vaine said. “Things like the strolls and the different styles we use, it’s all part of our organization’s culture.”
Dlareg Wesley, a finance major, fraternity alumnus, and a member of Phi Beta Sigma, said the event was a chance to highlight the deep history of Greek life.
“A big part of our performance was ‘locking up,’ which has roots going back to African tribes,” Wesley said.
He also noted that his fraternity's performances have a legacy, with many moves being created by past members at the university.
Among the standout performances of the night was the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., which placed third in the competition. Dannell Smith, a senior psychology major and sorority member, said the recognition felt rewarding.
“We put a lot of time and effort into it,” Smith said. “Even the next day, people in my classes told me we deserved it.”
Smith said teamwork and sisterhood played a role in their success.
“We divide the work so it’s not on one person,” Smith said. “We push each other to be better while also giving support and encouragement. At the end of the day, we want it to be an enjoyable experience.”
Ami’yannah Davis, a senior business management major, said that looking ahead, she hopes that Zeta Phi Beta can build on their success and aim for first place next year.
“We want to keep bringing creativity and finding new ways to showcase our history,” she said.
Davis also stressed the importance of Greek Yard Shows in raising awareness about Black Greek life on campus.
“Some students don’t even know we exist until they come to events like this,” Davis said. “It’s a chance to showcase our culture and history.”
Reflecting on past Yard Shows, Wesley recalled his first performance in fall 2023 as a memorable moment:. “It was the longest and most detailed [performance] one we ever did,” he said. “Everyone wanted us to come out and rock the show.”
Wesley said his advice to future performers is to be themselves when representing their organizations.
“Represent your organization well, but be yourself,” Wesley said. “That’s what makes a performance stand out.”
Victoria Sanders is a writer for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. She can be reached at victoria.sanders@student.shu.edu.
