About 15 acts will take the stage Friday in pursuit of monetary prizes.

The Black Student Union will host its first variety show at 6:30 p.m. in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The acts will compete for first, second and third place, Monique Cook-Bey, assistant director of Student Life and BSU’s adviser, said Thursday.

She said part of the variety show is similar to MTV’s “Lip Service,” a show where contestants dress up as their favorite acts and competitively take the stage.

“This show will incorporate real talents and impersonations,” she said.

Contestants that will impersonate are modeling their acts after groups such as Tina Turner and the Ikettes, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and Destiny’s Child, among others, Cook-Bey said.

Other contestants have taken a more traditional approach with their performances, exhibiting personal talents.

“We also have contestants reading poetry they have written, singing, dancing and rapping,” she said.

Admission to the variety show is $3.

“We’re looking forward to a big turnout this weekend,” she said. “Both students and alumni are coming down to take part in this weekend’s activities.”

The BSU is also sponsoring the Miss Black EIU pageant on Saturday. Both the variety show and the pageant are part of the African American Heritage Month festivities on campus.