Talley Student Center jumped to the sound of hip hop music and dancing Tuesday night as the Zeta Phi Beta sorority hosted its first Apollo night fund-raiser.
“We wanted to do something that hadn’t been done on campus before,” said Teesha White, a junior in criminology and member of Zeta Phi Beta. “Something that was different and people would enjoy.”
“It’s Showtime at the Z-pollo” featured 10 acts by various performers. Acts included dancers, rappers and gospel singers. The UNC chapter of Zeta Phi Beta cosponsored the event with the NCSU chapter.
“We had a bunch of talent here tonight and it was really fun,” Rhonda Stallings, a senior in math education, said. “Apollo night was about bringing the community together and I think we achieved that tonight.”
Zeta Phi Beta used Apollo night as a fund-raiser for the sorority. According to White, the event raised more $1,500.
According to White, more than 360 people attended to watch the acts and enjoy the atmosphere.
“I wanted to come out and see the entertainment,” April Flow, a senior in sociology, said. “I needed to take a break from classes and studying for midterms.”
In addition to the 10 acts, Apollo night included an act by a professional illusionist, Nick Comis. Comis tours colleges around the country and had a show in Las Vegas for a year.
“I’m friends with many of the Greek Life members here at State,” Comis said. “I was happy to perform when they asked me to.”
The masters of ceremonies, Shaun Wilson, a senior in English, and D.J. Hardy, a junior in communication, appeared on the U2 channel’s “Show Stopping” TV show and were invited to host the Apollo night show by Zeta Phi Beta.
The inspiration for the name “It’s Showtime at the Z-pollo” is the world famous Apollo theatre in Harlem, New York. The Apollo is a symbol of African-American cultural achievement and artistic brilliance.
The audience voted for their favorite acts of the night. The performer with the most votes received a $100 cash prize. This year’s winner was Donovan Livingston, from UNC. His act was a poetry and spoken word presentation.
Second place went to the DanceVisions dance team. No prize was awarded for second.
“We were invited to perform in the opening and closing acts as well as competing,” Rebecca Woltz, a sophomore in environmental science and member of DanceVisions, said. “We had a great time.”
Zeta Phi Beta hopes to make Apollo night an annual event due to its popularity.
“Apollo Night was a great success for us,” White said. “We want to keep it a tradition for our sorority and the community.”
