“[Stepping] is not just a race thing, it’s a universe thing,” said Ed Nelson, better known as King Leo or Sexy Chocolate by the members of his well-known step group, The PLAYERS.
Six of fifty members of The PLAYERS club step group came to Rowan last night to perform their comedy, step routine at Rowan After Hours (R.A.H.). Six of Rowan’s Greek organizations including- Lambda Theta Phi, Lambda Theta Alpha, Chi Upsilon Sigma, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Mu Sigma Upsilon, and Psi Sigma Phi, also performed their salutes, strolls, and steps.
Ed Nelson, the leader of The PLAYERS, hosted the show which began with each Greek organization taking the stage and explaining a brief history of their organization and performing either a step, stroll, or salute.
Jules Montanez, President of Lambda Theta Alpha, explained that strolling is like an organized line dance and saluting is a way of paying respect. Also, some strolls are national and members of each organization everywhere learn the moves. Jose Veloz, president of Lambda Sigma Upsilon, explained that his Latino organization salutes in different languages to pay respect to many different cultures.
After all the Greeks performed, The PLAYERS entertained the audience for the next hour with their comedy, step skit. Ed Nelson explained that stepping originated with the slaves because they would use stomps and claps to communicate with each other. They also invited members of the audience to go on stage and learn some moves.
One of the Rowan students who went on stage included Rachel Sisholtz, sophomore physical therapy major who said, “I think it was really cool that they brought the audience into it…it was like an adrenaline rush.
This is an “entertainment step platform to unite everybody together,” said Ed Nelson. Their members include men and women of all ages and races. The PLAYERS club, which stands for “Participating in the Lives Among Youth to Educate and Restore Society,” began in the Bronx in 1996 and since then they has toured with Usher, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé as well as choreographed moves for the movie, Stomp the Yard. The PLAYERS are also the only step group to perform on the front lawn of the White House.
After the performance, Sara Holroyd, sophomore elementary education major said, “I thought it was awesome. I like how they grabbed your attention in the beginning and had it until the end.”
One of the members of The PLAYERS, “Cat Daddy,” who recently joined the group after graduating high school said, “they were already a family and they welcomed me as a new brother.” He went on to explain that he never had motivation to participate in things in high school but this step group caught his attention.
As Ashley Force, sophomore journalism major said, “It was the perfect combination of comedy and dance.”