The traditional Airband dance-off between members of 23 different sororities and fraternities will take place Saturday.

Members of Eastern’s Greek community will check the dancing skills of other Greek organizations at the Airband competition at 7 p.m. in Lantz Arena.

The 23 organizations competing are getting ready by practicing their routines.

Each dance segment can be a maximum of five minutes long. The routines will be judged on nine different categories, including showmanship and choreography.

Travis Elko, the chairman for the Airband committee and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, said each year the competition bar gets raised among the performers.

“The dancing gets more and more advanced every year,” Elko said.

Alex Sandack, a freshman communication studies major and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said he and his brothers have been preparing for a while.

“We’ve really put it into first gear,” Sandack said. “We’ve been working our butts off.”

Sandack said he has confidence in his brothers.

“We have a lot of cool moves,” Sandack said. “They’re ready.”

Jack Swan, a sophomore special education major and a member of Chi Phi, said there are other students are in other fraternities and sororities who are not participating. Swan said he is anticipating a good show.

“Some Greeks actually put on a good show,” Swan said. “I enjoy watching.”

This event, which is the kick-off to Greek Week, includes dancing, specialized lighting and costume changes.

Haley Ashby, a sophomore art education major and a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, said she is enthusiastic about being a member of the crowd.

“I am looking forward to seeing amazing performances,” Ashby said. “(I want to see) the dances that (the members of) Greek life have come up with.”

Elko said he hopes Airband will give the fraternities and sororities a chance to make the competition friendly.

“(I want to see) all the chapters coming out and giving it their all,” Elko said. “(It will be a success) just if everybody comes together.”

Elko said some teams have proven they are serious competition throughout the years.

“Over the years there are certain fraternities and sororities that stand out,” Elko said.

Elko said Greek Week is all about togetherness, and Airband, of which points go toward the overall Greek Week score, is no exception.

“All I want is for (all the fraternities and sororities) to try and show that they care about Greek Week,” Elko said.

Felicia Darnell can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].