One of the biggest cultural performance competition shows of the year, involving the historical black fraternities and sororities, is set to dazzle students in just a little over one week.

Philip Thompson, coordinator of the production and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, said the 17th annual Homecoming Sidestep Show will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday Oct. 12 in the Student Recreation Center and typically lures students and alumni alike.

Tickets will be sold in advance Monday through Friday of next week for $10 per person at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union’s ticket window or may be purchased for $15 at the door. Thompson said Recognized Student Organization members of five or more have the option of purchasing tickets for a discounted price of $8 prior to the show at the Student Life Office.

And if past years are any indication, one big mob will come out to support and cheer on the organizations as they strut their stuff.

“We expect over 1,000 people to come,” Thompson said. “This is part of a tradition. Alumni come, students from other schools. This is something the chapters take very seriously.”

Members of each black sorority and fraternity competing in the show, which consists of fraternities Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma and sororities Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Delta Sigma Theta, will be judged on precision as well as how well they incorporate beats into their performances, he said.

“The sororities and fraternities have been practicing for at least six weeks,” Thompson said. “Each organization puts on a production. Everyone puts a lot of time and energy into putting the show together.”

What may be one of the most alluring traits of the Sidestep Show is the apparel worn by participants. There is a wide range of clothing the audience will observe with each different group performance, he said.

“Some performers may come out in a tuxedo,” Thompson said.

People can expect to hear a wide range of music as well, he said.

Last year’s winning sorority was Zeta Phi Beta while the fraternity champion was Phi Beta Sigma. The enormity and popularity of the show is comparable to the airband competition during Greek Week, Thompson said.

“It’s open to everyone,” he said. “It is a good time, people can really expect to see a cultural experience.”