The Metropolitan Theatre on High Street will shake to the beat of intense stepping and thunderous applause when West Virginia University’s historically black fraternities and sororities compete in the annual Step Show at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 3.

Sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the show is being held in conjunction with Unity Week activities at WVU . A concert by Bad Boy Entertainment’s Da Band, a hip hop group, will follow. SeanP. DiddyCombs formed the group, which is currently featured on MTV ’s popularMaking Da Bandshow.

Ify Ike, Step Show co-chair, said each year, the Step Show draws about 800 people, including many Greek alumni.

Stepping, which has its roots in traditional African ritual dancing, involves creating precise and complicated steps, as well as expressing showmanship and professionalism, she explained.

Each organization has its own steps,said Ike.It’s a combination of footwork and rhythmmaking sounds and beats with just your body. Together they produce a sound that is just amazing.

Members of fraternities and sororities from WVU , as well as the University of Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania State University, West Chester University in Philadelphia, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Bowling Green State University and Howard University, will participate.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. will be represented.

This year, the Step Show ends our Unity Week,said Ike.For us, it’s just a way to showcase the NPHC and everything we do.

The Step Show is a fund-raiser for the NPHC , which is active in community service projects such as the Ronald McDonald House.

Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and go on sale Monday, March 29, in the Mountainlair. This will likely be a sellout show, said Ike, so people are encouraged to buy their tickets early.

Other Unity Week activities include various community service projects, such as voter registration and food drives. At noon Wednesday, WVU students may enjoy a free lunch and fellowship in the Umoja Room in the Student Organization Wing of the Mountainlair.

A complete schedule of Unity Week activities follows:

• Monday, March 29Voter registration booth, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mountainlair

• Tuesday, March 30Food drive, all day, Mountainlair

• Wednesday, March 31Chicken and Kool-Aid Day,noon-3 p.m., Umoja Room, Mountainlair Student Organization Wing

• Thursday, April 1Food drive, all day, Mountainlair

• Friday, April 2Free barbecue and Unity Step Exhibition, noon, Mountainlair Plaza green

• Saturday, April 3Step Show, 6 p.m., Metropolitan Theatre (followed by Da Band concert)

• Sunday, April 4Paul Robeson/Mahalia Jackson Choir Spring Concert, 4 p.m., Mountainlair Ballrooms