MovingSounds

Students, families and friends packed the IU Auditorium Friday and Saturday night to watch more than 3,000 students sing, dance and compete in the 72nd annual IU Sing -- themed "Big City Beat." \nSkits ranged from "Gotham City" to "Sesame Street," "The Price is Right" to "Big City Heartbeat." Big City Beat featured more than 26 acts alternating with vocal and dancing performances and special performances by IU a capella groups Ladies First and Straight No Chaser.\nIU Sing choreographer Dustin Stephan said he received extremely positive feedback about the show this year.\n"I was choreographer last year, and I think (this year) was a step above last year's IU Sing," he said. "This is the best way for students to get together to put on a professional show. Everyone here is here for a reason, and everyone has talent in their own way."\nWith excellent vocals, great dancing and booming songs, such as "Walking in Memphis," "Downtown" and "Dancing in the Streets," the IU Sing performers provided an atmosphere rivaling that of Broadway and impressing families, friends and students alike. \n"This show is about months of intense work, but it really pays off," said Erica Lentz, IU Sing choreographer.\nMany of the dancers agree IU Sing is a great opportunity to dance, sing and perform on stage with their friends.\n"This is the only opportunity on campus to come together with people you never would have met otherwise to put on this great performance," said Rhiannon Sharpe, IU Sing featured dancer.\nWith a panel of eight judges of IU alumni and former IU Sing participants, songleaders and steering committee members, the competition grew as each act took the stage.\nWhile many acts made the audience erupt in applause and laughter, top honors would only go to a few. The overall trophy, as well as winners of the Division A Trophy and the Choreography Award, went to the pair of Delta Upsilon and Chi Omega. Their skit titled "City of Cards" featured complicated choreography -- including a domino effect on stage -- costumes and songs. Their winning act featured Alice in her quest for work, as the black cards and red cards fought to have her work for them. In the end, all of the cards and Alice combined to work together.\n"I feel like I'm on cloud nine," said Geoff Hahn, sophomore and Delta Upsilon songleader. "The joy that all of our hard work has paid off really hits home. I have been working since August, it's been so great. I really can't say enough to thank our pledge classes for all of their hard work."\nSongleaders agreed the hard work of the pledge classes of both Delta Upsilon and Chi Omega contributed greatly to the awards won at IU Sing Saturday night.\n"I think winning just shows how much effort we put in and that hard work really pays off," said Gwen Heyse, sophomore and Chi Omega songleader.\nWhile both pledge classes spent more than six weeks working on their skits, they said they couldn't be happier with the success of their act.\n"After working so hard for so many weeks, it was so great to actually go out on the stage and perform," said Jenny Kratzat, an IU Sing participant from Chi Omega. "Even though it was a lot of work, it was definitely worth it."\nThe Army ROTC captured first place in Division B, huge audience applause and the "That's Entertainment" award for the overall most entertaining moment with their performance of "Turning Point." The skit had moments of humor, gun-slinging, masterful marching and a performance of "Proud to Be an American," which enthused the crowd.\nAlthough many of the acts believed their skits were good enough to win them awards, some felt as though they had no chance to win to begin with. Some participants expressed that the loss of pre-performance points because of talking during dress rehearsals, lack of productivity during practices and not adhering to deadlines meant they were doomed from the beginning. \nDespite these claims, many students said they still enjoyed the bonding time that came along with all of their practicing. The hard work of all of the groups, the steering committee, the choreographers, vocalists, dancers and participants contributed to another IU Sing success, IU Sing judge Jeff Arbesman said.\n"I think it's been a fabulous year for IUSF (IU Student Foundation) and Indiana University," said Arbesman, who is a class of 1998 alumni. "IUSF as well as IU should be commended for all of their hard work on this production."\n-- Contact staff writer Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.