Joe's Blog : skits

Phi Psi 500!

JoeW — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:08:00 GMT

The Phi Psi 500 graced campus this past weekend. It is one of the last social events of the year and as one of the largest put on by a Greek house.

Phi Psi 500 is a celebration of all the service that Phi Kappa Psi does through out the year. Last semester we completed 813 hours of community service and are on track to pummel that amount this semester. We also complete 500 hours of service the week of 500, which is where the name originates.

It was a large and eventful day. The main festivities began at 3:00 with our beach volleyball tournament; which continued well into a free dinner for all at 5:00 and go-kart time trials at 6:00. (500 has a racing theme.) Then at 7:00 our lipsync competition started. I was in charge of organizing the days events. Because of Butler’s passionate and rhythmic student body these lipsyncs were FANTASTIC- not a bad one in the bunch. However, because this event also showcases our days stiffest competition it was very stressful for me.

After the Lipsyncs were finished on the rise hip-hop artist Krypton Flo took our stage by storm. Keep in mind, this entire event was outside, free, and open to all of Butler- so there were tons of people there. K-Flo was out of this world and you should check him out.

http://kryptonflo.com/HOME.html

The last thing on our agenda was our closed party at 11:00. This was really the only VIP event, but with over 400 people on the list it couldn’t have been too exclusive. 500 was an amazing end to our year, and I’m sure all of the participants agree. 500 let me spend the entire weekend outside in fabulous weather. It was the perfect prelude to my exam week.

Stuntin' is a Habit

JoeW — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:02:00 GMT

One of my favorite things to do at Butler is Skit/Stunt/Lip Sync like there’s no tomorrow. Every Sorority has a Philanthropy week and several of those weeks end in skit competitions. Last week Kappa Alpha Theta had their annual Grill-Off which always has a Cheer Competition. We won this year! (again) This week is Alpha Phi’s Philanthropy event so I’m spending each night up late working on a Lip Sync. Their Lip sync is called Heart Throb and the participants can only use Boy Band Music. Additionally, because Alpha Phi’s philanthropy is Cardiac Care, their week is called Bounce for Beats and a trampoline is in use during the entire skit. When Fraternities have their big weeks, some of them have lip sync competitions that the sororities compete in. However, all of these competitions are open to anyone, not just Greek houses. I was extremely excited to find out that Ross Hall will be competing in Bounce for Beats as well. I am really excited for Friday! Phi Psi won last year, so we’re hoping for two years in a row; but not getting burnt out is difficult.

The skits take a lot of time, effort, and jazz hands. We have to figure out our own music, dances, and there are always lots of stunts. To figure out which stunts and dance moves we can handle we all just start breaking it down and tossing each other into the air until something looks cool enough to put in. It’s really dangerous, risky, and not at all safe. Generally, we have no idea what we are doing. Seriously. But no one has died yet, and the sororities always provide a coach or two to help smooth out rough spots, think of dances, and keep us alive.

Last week we made a Ring of Fire. I mean that literally. There was a ring. It was on fire. Someone jumped through it. It’s the grand finale of our Theta Grill-Off skit. You should watch the video in my "Phi Kappa Psi- Theta Grill-Off Champions" blog. It’s pretty impressive.

Bounce for Beats will be fun. It will be difficult to top the ring of fire, but it’s possible that that was a bad idea in the first place. Bad or brilliant. A little of both. I will probably be practicing until 1:00 tonight, but doing these skits is a lot of fun and a wonderful bonding experience. Not to mention, there are not many facets of my life where my one-handed cartwheel comes in handy.

Tons of people on campus come to watch these skits. In fact Geneva Stunts, which takes place during Parents Weekend and benefits the YMCA, is in Clowes and individuals have to buy a ticket to get in. The only skit night that isn’t open to everyone is the New Member skits that take place in the spring semester. Each Greek House has their new pledge class do a ten minute skit and it gets very intense. Phi Psi has received 1st place for the past eleven years.

Needless to say, even though I thought I was leaving my musical background in High School it has followed me to college. But I don’t mind, because sometimes in life you just have to dance it out, and grin ridiculously while doing it.

Phi Kappa Psi- Theta Grill-Off Champions

JoeW — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:14:00 GMT