To view our article on this weekend’s annual step show, click here.

The origins of step shows can be traced back as far as the 19th century, said the author of one of the first books written about the art form.

Ellizabeth Fine, who wrote “Soulstepping: African American Step Shows,” said the earliest traces of stepping can be found in African-American culture during the 1800s.

“The synchronized hand clapping and foot stomping is also seen in African-American drill team tradition throughout the 19th century,” said Fine, a professor in the department of interdisciplinary studies at Virginia Tech. “You (also) see the same kind of synchronized stomping and clapping in African-American slave dances.”

Fine saw her first step show in 1983 when she was invited by a student to watch.

“I didn’t understand what I was seeing, but I just liked it a lot,” she said.

She used that experience to begin talking to people about the dance.

In 2003, her book was published.

She said the popularity of the step shows is at an all-time high.

One reason is the performers’ intensity and the visual nature of the shows.

“It has an innate crowd appeal, audience appeal,” she said. “The groups are highly competitive and are always trying to outdo the other groups. People come out to see what’s going to be the latest costume and at the same time, people come out to see the tradition.”

The popularity of the dance jumped onto the national stage in 1993.

During President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration, members of Howard University’s Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity performed for the president.

Howard was also the place where the first documented reference to stepping was made in a 1925 school newspaper article.

According to Fine, the article referenced a group “marching across campus, dancing to the fairy pipe of pan,” meaning music that was not there.

The work put in by fraternities in preparation for the shows help them develop a close bond, Fine said.

“When you have to move as one person, it actually entrains your body and your heartbeats start becoming synchronized,” she said. “Stepping has a complicated and long history,” she said.

Other 2008 Black Student Reunion events

Laff Jam Supershow

– Deon Cole; co-host of “Showtime at the Apollo”

– 8 – 10:30 p.m. Friday

– MLK Union Grand Ballroom

After Party Costume Party

– Featuring DJ V-Dub

– 11 p.m. – 1:45 a.m. Friday

– McAfee Gymnasium

Unity Gospel Choir Concert

– Featuring DJ V-Dub

– 2 p.m. – Sunday

– MLK Union Grand Ballroom

The men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated watch their routine as they practice for the annual step show in the Student Recreation Center’s dance studio mirror on Oct. 21. (Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

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