A bassist in a penguin suit was a member of the first team to perform, greeting a sea of glow necklaces, air horns, flashlights, whistles and noisemakers.
Twelve teams of fraternities and sororities formed bands and competed in a Battle of the Bands, the latest event in the Greek Week lineup.
A maximum of 10 team members but at least one from each team, was required to be on stage. Performances lasted five to seven minutes, and lip-synching was not allowed.
The competition was held at the Auditorium. Admission was charged for spectators, ushers and even performers. The money will benefit Area 8 Special Olympics. Greek Week Director Julee Albers said the proceeds came to about $4,000.
Other Greek Week events benefit the American Cancer Society and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So far, Greeks have raised more than $100,000.
"I never could have imagined the Greek community would raise so much money," Albers said. "Everything's going very well, the leadership team has been amazing."
Steve Loomis, a Marshall Music employee, volunteered as a judge. He said he was expecting a good show.
"It won't be a high school talent show. I'm looking for a good time. There are some talented people here on campus, so let's see," he said prior to the start of the event.
Merchandising management junior Lauren Shell was especially excited about her team, who she said would be sticking to a rock 'n' roll theme. Shell belongs to Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
"Last year, we took first place," she said, taking time to scream to her fellow teammates. "We're hoping to do the same this year."
Based on judges' scoring, teams are assigned a place. Each place earns points, which are tallied at the end of the Greek Week events. The winner was not determined at the time of print.
But advertising senior Adam Sholl was feeling confident. He said that after having done not as well in the last few years, his team is in first place.
"We're the last to go. They're saving the best for last. I guarantee we win this thing," the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity member said.
Kappa Alpha Theta sorority member Megan Brown was a go-go dancer on her team, which performed songs by The Beatles.
"I was nervous, but a good nervous. I feel great about it, I think that's all that matters," she said.
