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Greek Week kicks off with male pageant

A fish that jumped through a ring of fire and a display of "solo synchronized swimming" were among the 10 performances for the talent contest that thrilled the audience with hilarity.

But in the end, as the judges tallied up the scores for all the contests, it was LSA sophomore Greg Roslund, of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, who bagged the Mr. Greek Week title with his tickling performance on the piano.

The opening ceremonies of this year's Greek Week as well as the contest were held yesterday at the Power Center at 7 p.m.

"Basically (Mr. Greek Week) is a talent competition, like a spoof of Miss America," said LSA sophomore Kathy Wolters, who organized the event with her sorority Alpha Delta Pi.

The evening commenced with the shirt-and-tie contest where all 21 contestants from various fraternities paraded on stage in their best outfits.

The next item featured the Michigan Dance Team, which dazzled the audience of about 750 with two fast and upbeat dances.

The second round was the hero contest where each contestant imitated their favorite "hero." Personifications of a wide variety of well-known characters included Hulk Hogan, Bruce Lee, RuPaul and even a Marilyn Monroe who sang "Happy Birthday" to a poster of John F. Kennedy.

Following the intermission was a performance by The Friars, a University a capella group that delighted the audience with three songs, including one that allowed for audience participation.

The talent contest narrowed the 10 finalists to five, and in the last round each of the five finalists had to dress up in homemade togas and answer an impromptu question.

The Mr. Greek Week contest was the first of the many Greek Week events that will take place through March 27 all over campus.

"Greek Week is a 10-day multimedia extravaganza," said LSA senior Greta Grass, the chair of Greek Week.

"It's 10 days full of crazy competition," Grass said.

Among the activities planned throughout the week are the Jell-O jump, a hula-hoop contest and a pie-eating contest, she said. Many of the contests are sponsored by local businesses, and the festivities end with thousands of dollars in donations to charities.

"Greek Week as a whole donates to five local and one national philanthropy," Grass said.

All proceeds of the Mr. Greek Week contest will go to the Ronald McDonald House.