Sororities battle it out in annual dance-off event
The women of Greek Life will be turning their swag on for a good cause tonight at Sigma Delta Tau’s fifth annual Greek Grind.
Proceeds from the sorority dance competition benefit Sigma Delta Tau’s philanthropy, Prevent Child Abuse in America.
“[Greek Grind] has grown tremendously from the beginning,” said Emily Schwartz, a sophomore and Greek Grind coordinator. “There were 2,122 tickets sold, and there are no more to be found.”
Schwartz said last year nearly $10,000 went to Prevent Child Abuse in America, and she hopes even more will be donated this year.
“We have sold out the past two years and we are very proud of that,” said Melissa Perlman, a senior and public relations chair for Greek Grind. “It just shows how much our philanthropy has grown.”
Tonight is the first year all of the 16 other sororities will be participating in the dance-off.
“Typically some sororities tend to drop out since it is such a time commitment,” Perlman said. “But this year we are excited that we have all other 16 sororities involved in a friendly competition for a good cause.”
GREEK GRIND
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: Classic Center
Price: $10
Perlman said every sorority performs a dance routine and then the judges choose three winners, who are rewarded with a monetary donation to Prevent Child Abuse in their sorority’s name.
The panel of judges is made up of dance experts, Panhellenic officers and campus celebrities.
“This year our football player judges are A.J. Green, Rennie Curran, Brandon Boykin and Tavarres King,” Perlman said. “We also have Gym Dogs Lauren Johnson and Tiffany Tolnay, Panhellenic President Jen Tooher, Interfraternity Council President Trevor Brightwell, Hillel Director Joel Marcovitch, as well as judges from Dance FX studios.”
Schwartz said 20 and 30 members from each sorority participate in learning, practicing and performing original choreography, set to their own music mixes.
Former University orientation leader and MTV Road Rules participant, LaMonte Ponder, will be the emcee this year.
In addition to tonight’s event, local businesses such as Ben and Jerry’s and SaladWorks hosted percentage nights where a percentage of sales were donated to SDT’s philanthropy.
“We are so flattered and enthusiastic about the support from the Greek community and UGA community for such an amazing event,” said Carly Migdall, president of SDT.
