Hip-hop duo Shwayze wrapped up Sigma Chi’s Derby Days philanthropy week Sunday night in front of more than 200 dancing students.
The annual event raised nearly $14,000 this fall for the Children’s Miracle Network.
After nearly two hours of pump-up dance tracks, the music duo took the stage to perform hits, yell their phone numbers and initiate a dance-off competition between two sorority girls. McCormick junior and event planner Ben Shorofsky said the event was very successful.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “We knew with it being a Sunday night and midterms that it would be difficult to get people out.”
Although only about half of the expected 500 students showed up for the concert, Shorofsky said the money raised throughout the entire week’s events was a significant improvement over previous years.
“Normally we would get maybe a little over $10,000,” he said.
The Children’s Miracle Network, the fraternity’s national charity, provides support for more than 170 children’s hospitals nationwide.
SESP sophomore Katie Florez was ecstatic when the band invited her to dance against a rival sorority member on stage.
“We were talking and we really wanted to do a dance contest, and so we did,” she said.
The event, Florez said, was a perfect way to end a week of hard work. Her sorority, Delta Gamma, raised money and held events all week in support of Derby Days.
“DG went really hard this year,” she said. “We really support Sigma Chi and Derby Days.”
Gamma Phi Beta sorority was this year’s Derby Days winner.
Shwayze interacted with the audience throughout the show, asking students where the after-party would be and embracing girls in the front row. The group performed songs like “Buzzin'” and “Corona and Lime” for just under an hour, transforming the Louis Room at Norris University Center into a booming concert venue.
University of Michigan student Jerry Xiao, who describes himself as a “mega fan,” traveled to NU specifically for the concert.
“It was like a sensual and stimulating experience,” Xiao said. “I know every word to Shwayze’s songs.”
Shorofsky said Sigma Chi thought the event was very successful and hopes to continue in the coming years.
“I think we definitely set a precedent for next year and the future,” he said.
