Sisters and brothers of Pitt's Greek community spent months planning and practicing for a one-night, song-and-dance extravaganza, the annual Greek Sing.

This year's event took place Friday night in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, with sororities and fraternities paired up randomly to put on 11 different acts that featured colorful costumes and elaborate scenery. The performances showcased karaoke-like singing and intricate choreography, as groups vied for the first place trophy and extra points toward the overall Greek Week competition.

The evening began with a brief step show from the National Pan-Hellenic Council's Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Entering from the back of the auditorium, the brothers suavely danced to the stage. They asked, "What is it about Kappa Alpha Psi that the ladies like so much?" and answered their own question with rhythmic stomping and slapping. They accented their stepping talents with striped canes, tossing and tapping them as they stepped.   more >>

Rapper Lil' Flip didn't appear at his scheduled performance this weekend at the Vigo County Fair Grounds or at ISU's party sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

"It was wrong. We were cheated out of our money," said Carrie Sharp, 25, a Lil' Flip fan who attended the concert. "It was a scam."

Tickets cost $20 in advance for the concert and $25 at the door. Terre Haute radio station 100.7 MixFM repeatedly read a press release on the air which said the radio station has placed calls to Bobby West Productions, which was responsible for bringing Lil Flip to Terre Haute, Lil Flip's record label and the Terre Haute Police Department.   more >>

Cristina White was crowned Miss Black and Gold at Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.'s annual Miss Black & Gold Pageant Friday.

White said, "I was excited, enthused and also privileged and honored all at the same time."

This was the second annual pageant held at Indiana State University. Carmen Rouse, last year's winner, thought there was a better turnout this year.

"When comparing last year's show to this year's, I think that all participants worked very hard," Rouse said. "I enjoyed sitting in on the their practice and watching the ladies compete."   more >>

With the cost of medical care climbing at astronomical rates, many island residents jumped at a chance for free health screenings during the weekend at the Reginald Molloy Medical Symposium Health Fair.

The symposium for local doctors and nurses ran from Wednesday through the weekend, but Saturday was the best chance for most of the community to get in on the action. With educational booths, screening trailers and the bloodmobile set up in the Luis Hospital parking lot, residents filed through blood pressure and glucose checks and could also sign up for breast and prostate exams.

"It's good to find out what's happening with your health," said Dolores Griffith, as she moved from one station to another. "And all in one place is very nice."

The symposium and health fair was organized by the Eta Iota Iota chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Fraternity chapter president Michael Thurland said the fair was his chapter's way of giving back to the community.   more >>

The Rev. David Smith challenged the 2005 Distinguished Delta Gentlemen to aspire to a new level of excellence and to continue to overcome barriers.

"You have already overcome barriers," Smith told the 48 young men during the 19th annual Distinguished Gentlemen's Banquet, sponsored by the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Smith is the pastor of Old St. James Baptist Church and the principal of Southwest Middle School at Little Rock.

None of the honorees is a father or an expectant father and each has done well in academics, church attendance, athletics, music -- the many things that set apart those who are being honored tonight, Smith said.   more >>