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Lackluster `Twirling' no showdown

When it comes to step shows, each historically black fraternity has elements unique to that brotherhood. The Alphas have their golden bricks; the Q-Dogs have their barks and growls.

Yet, when it comes to step-show props, perhaps none is more recognizable than the red-and-white canes utilized by members of Kappa Alpha Psi. About half the size of a normal cane, these brightly colored sticks give the "Nupes" a chance to either prove their untouchable agility or earn the humiliation of having dropped too many canes.

Saturday, seven individual Nupes and one Kappa duo competed against one another before a crowd of some 200 in the first annual "Kane (sic) Twirling Showdown."

Shawn Reynolds and an unidentified Kappa, both from Wayne State, were first. Unfortunately, the first cane fell in the first minute. The duo recovered well with their various cane switches, but the error of repeated cane drops was never completely cured.

Iroc, from Grand Valley's Eta Tau chapter, put on one of the best shows of the night. Grooving to Kriss Kross' "Tonight's the Night," he was a master of cane spins, leg splits and body slides. With only two misses, Iroc put himself in a great position for victory. He did get a little competition from Breed Love (Gamma Beta chapter, Western Michigan) whose cane twirlings weren't all that but whose semi-strip show guaranteed him a few extra votes.

Omar Hall's (Gamma Sigma, University of Arkansas) silky movement dominated his performance. He earned great props for his over-and-back-thrice neck control with the cane. Unfortunately, an unexpected arrival cut his show short.

While Hall was doing his thing, some five to 10 University football players barged their way through the tightly-packed circle of bodies surrounding the competition arena. Their purpose? Who knows? Considering the crowd's reaction, while many were angered by this stupidity, they had come to expect it. In a matter of seconds, a few wannabe-hardcore football players attempted to make a mockery of a positive Black event, thankfully, they were unsuccessful.

University Sigma-chapter Kappa Hillary had a highly relaxed feel in his segment. Unfortunately, his routine was filled with more twirls than throws, and this lowered his chances for victory. Nothing, however, could compare to what happened when Shannon Rembert (Eta Eta, GMI) competed. His cane-twirling was among the best of the night, but his throwing attempts were hit -- literally. He couldn't catch one cane he threw in the air, and later the cane slipped out of his grasp and smashed into a woman in the crowd.

When Cedric Steele (Delta Nu, Eastern Michigan) walked up blindfolded, the crowd spread out considerably. But Steele was no amateur, and he knew how to handle his cane. He showed a level of twirling speed and finesse that his competitors couldn't touch. With only two cane drops, Steele earned his respect.

Which is more than can be said for the "Kane Twirling Showdown" as a whole. While it had its moments, the event was a letdown. Though it was supposed to start at midnight, it began almost an hour late. And it lasted barely 30 minutes. At a cost of three dollars -- that's 10 cents per minute of competition -- those who paid to watch were overcharged.