by Kirk Maltais
The tradition continues this month at Virginia Commonwealth University, when the Fall Block step show returns for its 26th installment Saturday, September 24, at the Siegel Center. This year’s iteration of the largest step show in Virginia, aptly subtitled “State of Emergency”, promises to be another explosive display of choreographed genius.
Fall Block 2011, organized by fraternities and sororities belonging to the Pan-Hellenic Council, is the first big event of the VCU school year. The tradition dates back to 1985, when the first Fall Block step show was an impromptu gathering held in front of the University Student Commons. Since then, the show has blossomed into the large event it now is, moving to the Siegel Center in 2001 and drawing crowds upwards of 4,500 from all over the state, including other schools such as Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Norfolk State University.
Today, Fall Block is a showcase for VCU’s fraternities and sororities, who compete for both prize money and bragging rights. This year’s installment will be different from past years, with five fraternities and sororities competing against each other instead of in different divisions. It’s something new for Fall Block, but only promises to make the competition fiercer.
According to Carolyn Whittier, faculty advisor for Fall Block as well as the Pan-Hellenic Council, it is no accident that Fall Block has become the event that it is.
“I think one of the things that is really a testament to VCU students and our traditions is that they build over time,” says Whittier. “It’s not as though we magically thought of this thing and put it in the Siegel Center and it’s become this massive thing it is now.”
Whittier acts in a senior role, providing guidance and help in organizing Fall Block. However, she is quick to point out that it is a student-run tradition, the planning committee is staffed by students, and that all of the essential work in putting it together comes solely from the students on the planning committee as well as those serving on the street team, which promotes the event.
“It’s always been about VCU students and it is to this day,” says Whittier.
Cecily Johnson, a senior at VCU, is the CEO of the Fall Block committee. According to her, not only is Fall Block a great show, but a great tool to unite students in the Greek system from all over campus.
“Every year we try to get people who don’t traditionally go to the show to come out, to see what’s going on campus,” says Johnson, who notes that as the first big event of the VCU school year, Fall Block goes a long way to “create a Greek unity on campus.”
Not that stepping is just for college students. The tradition of “stepping”, a style of dance born from the classic motifs of the African-American culture, dates back to World War I, when African-American soldiers returned to the United States and attended college. When performing the classic dances of their fraternities and sororities, these men introduced the influence of their military training to the dances, creating an altogether new style that added a drill-like component to the movement of the dances. Incorporated into the style is synchronized rhythms, with a percussive attack, as well as improvisation and call and response chanting and dancing. Today’s stepping is heavily intertwined with the undeniable influence of hip-hop, thus bringing a nearly century-old tradition into the modern era. In short, stepping is something that both young and old can agree on.
Something else that both young and older spectators can agree on is the dazzling spectacle Fall Block has been since it arrived at the Siegel Center. According to Whittier, the show and display of talent at Fall Block is on the national level.
Whittier followed the sorority winners of last year’s competition, Delta Sigma Theta, to Atlanta, Georgia, where they competed in the Sprite Step Off, a national competition. There, the sorority made a great showing, even though they lost in a controversial decision. Whittier testifies that while the Sprite Step Off was a great experience, it has nothing on Fall Block.
“Fall Block is better produced and better performed than the national step show,” says Whittier “Our students can compete at the national level with our show.”
Johnson echoes this sentiment, particularly when it comes to Delta Sigma Theta.
“Delta Sigma Theta has been phenomenal in their stepping abilities, and I would say they’re the team to look out for this year,” she says.
This year’s events include a week of events leading up to the show. These events, which follow the “state of emergency” theme, are designed to teach the student body about what to do in case of an emergency, which is particularly relevant after the double whammy of an earthquake and Category 1 hurricane our area just experienced. The events also serve to allow students and opportunity to mingle before the big show Saturday.
And, as for the show on Saturday, Johnson assures “It should be a great show.” If past years are anything to go on, then she has to be right.
Visit fallblockvcu.com to learn more about Fall Block 2011, including where to purchase tickets.
