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Dressed in formal attire and masks, the crowd stepped to the rhythm in a ballroom lit only by tea light candles.
Kappa Alpha Psi, a Pan-Hellenic fraternity, sponsored their first "International Masquerade Affair" Saturday evening. The event is one of a number of activities, including a Wednesday comedy show in the Student Center the Pan-Hellenic organization is hosting. The fraternity is promoting the events as entertainment alternatives to parties and bars.
The Undergraduate Student Government helped fund the dance with contribution from the fraternity's chapter funds, said Kappa Alpha Psi President Darnell Sawyer.
"We're looking to provide a unique experience," he said. "Something they're not used to."
The entertainment booked by the fraternity included poetry performed by two Def Poetry Jam artists, improvisational song and a DJ performance. Triple Team entertainment company, which also brought artists to perform at the comedy show, is a Chicago and New York-based business.
Kevin Buford, the self-proclaimed "music guy" of Triple Team, which does films, promotions, music and poetry among others, is an SIUC alum and former president of the Black Affairs Council. Buford said they frequently perform at events like the masquerade ball, which Sawyer said had a crowd of approximately 250 people.
Sawyer said he would like to continue the event every year, but possibly move to a different area.
"We hope to expand next year to be able to hold more people," he said.
Danielle Brown, a freshman from Cairo, said she attended the dance after hearing about it from friends who are members of the fraternity.
"The Kappas always throw these things, and they're always a good time," she said. "I like the whole masquerade theme. They put forth a lot of effort."
Other friends of fraternity members as well as members themselves arrived early and set up the stage, white columns with crepe paper, and an elaborate arrangement of sheer plastic-covered tables with tiny candles that provided the only light.
"This is a nice night out," said William C. Dukes, chapter member and masquerade ball co-coordinator. "We do this so people can have a nice time. This is the first time out, but we're planning on continuing it."
Daily Egyptian 
