The requests took place during rehearsals, she said. University officials told them to bind their breasts. AcceptPreferences.
Brit Blalock, a 2008 Samford graduate who founded SAFE Samford in 2011 (Students, Alumni and Faculty for Equality), said Samford has asked female students to bind their breasts during the school's dance competition. Connections is a weekend designed exclusively for incoming students. Meet the judges of Step Sing 2022: why American Idol producer and celebrity vocalist love Birmingham talent, Meet the European filmmakers making a documentary about jazz icon Sun Ra in Birmingham, Alabama Adventure reveals new roller coaster coming in 2022 (VIDEO), City of Birmingham announces road closures and security perimeters for The World Games 2022, Opening Ceremony for The World Games was electric [PHOTOS], Red, white + BOOM! Step Sing is being shown on livestream here. I think people are so excited to see Step Sing back for the first time in two years,. Follow SAC on Instagram (@sacsamford) for updates on all things Student Activities Council! Apparently nothing has been said to men.. I guess it was not acceptable to have developed past the age of 12 and to perform onstage. All rights reserved (About Us). Sororities, fraternities and other campus organizations work hours perfecting their routines to produce a high quality production. It continues to be one of Samford's most popular traditions and is a popular event not only among students, but also prospective students, employees, alumni and the Birmingham community. Two performance groups of all women were told their breasts were moving too much, told to wrap them in Ace bandages or wear double or triple bras, Blalock said. More than 50,000 people will see this years performance in person or via the live stream. Local businesses and restaurants surround the concert stage with tents showcasing Birmingham and what the city has to offer. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Its a ridiculous request.. Step Sing has been a cherished tradition on the Samford campus for nearly 70 years, said Katie Stripling, executive director of marketing and communications for Samford. View our privacy policy. Under the direction of the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Activities and Events, Step Sing is organized by students, including musical arrangement, choreography and costume design. This is given to Samford Step Sing participants to help assist with tuition. Brit Blalock, founder of SAFE Samford, said she spoke to several women taking part in the competition who said their all-female student groups were told to bind their breasts with Ace bandages or to wear two or three bras to prevent any noticeable movement of breasts during their performances. It was held once a semester and soon became a competition. Tickets for the January 29th noon and evening show can be purchased here , or you and your family can cozy up on the couch and live stream for free! Samford University is telling female students to bind their breasts, so "nothing moves" while they compete in a singing and dancing competition! Our students will do whatever it takes to keep up with this tradition. Students are full of optimism; despite a Step Sing gap year positive energy is still through the roof. I think people want to win it a lot more because its been so long since the last show, he says. Since then the tradition has grown tremendously; as a Samford grad and former Step Sing Participant I can personally testify to all the hype. All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters Media LLC/Bham Now 2016-2022. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. We all come together as a community to work towards this common goal and I just think thats wonderful.. Thats sexual harassment.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. We bought out Target and Walmart and several drug stores, she said. More than 1,200 students across campus take part in Step Sing, the annual student-produced talent show, a tradition dating back to 1951. Step Sing is an intensive singing and dancing event, said Blalock, a 2008 graduate of Samford. Analytics cookies do not personally identify you and cannot be turned off. In 1976, Step Sing moved to its current home in Wright Center Concert Hall. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Hall expects all four shows to be a full house. To put it simply, Step Sing is a highly competitive singing and dancing competition that taps into age old rivalries on campus. Where to watch fireworks this 4th of July in Birmingham, Help save lives at the Home Run Hero blood drive at Regions Field, July 19 & 20, Salute to our heroes benefiting Hire Heroes USA, Jacksonville State University dedicates new business building, rebuilt 4 years after tornado outbreak, Alabamas first 2 cases of monkeypox confirmedwhat you should know, Football legend Reggie Barlow writes two new childrens books, 13 new million-dollar-plus construction permits approved in Alabama, July 18, NEW: Prattville opens FIRST Alabama outdoor fitness court, This Huntsville native is thriving at UNAs Cole Honors College3 reasons why, Noah Galloways inspiring storyliving with no excuses, being a leader at TWG 2022 + more, Sidewalk Film Festival announces exciting lineup + sneak peak event, July 19-20. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. They instructed us prior to dress rehearsal that we should wear multiple bras; apparently that wasnt enough, and we were told to use Ace bandages.. Senior and Step Sing emcee Will Green says this years performance symbolizes restarting traditions. And after a year without stepping, singing or dancing, competitive spirits among students are only amplified. In 1957, Howard College moved to its present location on Lakeshore Drive, bringing with it the tradition of Step Sing. A weekend designed for incoming students to learn more about Samford and the Birmingham community. Cookie Preferences | Privacy Policy | Software Plugins, We use cookies to improve our site, personalize content and serve more relevant advertising on other platforms.
They provide vital information for troubleshooting problems and improving the visitor experience. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. This is sexual harassment. Youre singing and dancing. Be on the lookout for a few lifeguards in training, rats on the loose, sloths breaking out of the zoo and bridesmaids planning a bachelorette.
Please help me spread the word, so we can stop this misogynistic gender policing. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards. Its a celebration of students coming together which gives them opportunities to participate through leadership development, organizational administration and time management while also having fun, Nicole Klaubert, Samford University Coordinator of Student Activities and Events. Student Activities Councils vision is to plan events that bring students together and help build community across campus. We invite you to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and leadership opportunities. Samford University officials told all-women groups taking part in the Baptist schools annual singing and dancing competition to bind their breasts, according to the activist group SAFE Samford (Students, Alumni and Faculty for Equality). Students perform three days to sold-out audiences. I heard it from the directors of my show, and I dont think they were happy about it, Williams said. Theres also more to these characters stories than meets the eye. The Office of Student Activities and Events is dedicated to providing a diverse calendar of campus activities and programs to provide all students with opportunities to engage in socially fulfilling experiences that offer opportunities for leadership, campus involvement, and personal development that ultimately result in a sense of value and belonging within the Samford community. Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our students.. They told us if we didnt do it, we wouldnt be able to perform.
Its athletic activity. Student Activities Council, a branch of Student Government Association, exists to plan and execute campus-wide events and traditions. Each fall, first-year Samford students are not only welcomed into the campus Samford family community, but are also introduced to the city of Birmingham and surrounding communities. If you love what you see, you can donate to the Step Sing Endowed Scholarship. Samford University responded to the controversy with a statement issued on Friday night. Blalock in 2011 founded SAFE Samford, which stands for Students, Alumni and Faculty for Equality, as an LGBTQ equality group. Its a pretty intense six minutes of performing. Every year male and female groups receive feedback during dress rehearsal. The girls were allegedly told to use Ace bandages or wear multiple bars so nothing moves while they competed, according to Brit Blalock, founder of the Students, Alumni, and Faculty for Equality Samford group. The directive apparently came from show organizers and was given to show directors, said Rachel Williams, 22, a senior English literature major at Samford. Events throughout the weekend include popsicles with the President, a neon dance party, and opportunities to explore Birmingham restaurants and attractions. It was very not fun and it was very insulting..
Student Activities Council (SAC), a branch of Student Government Association (SGA), exists to plan and execute campus-wide events and traditions. Samford University officials allegedly told an all-female group partaking in a dancing competition to bind their breasts, according to the activist group SAFE Samford. A concert on the quad called Your School, Your City kicks off this week for all new and returning undergraduate and graduate students. A team of 100 upperclassmen guide students through a fun-packed weekend both on-campus and around the city. Step Sing began as a sing-along on the steps of Renfroe Hall at the Howard College East Lake Campus in 1951. No reason was given, but the implication was that being able to see breasts move during the show was considered unacceptable, she said. As is the case with all theatrical productions, emotions run high and organizers often require last minute changes to costumes and routines. This weekend marks the universitys 71st annual Step Sing Production. All Rights Reserved. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). It all started in 1951 when students gathered on the front steps of Renfroe Hall to sing and dance together.
Thats sexual harassment.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. I guess theyre trying to be as family-friendly as possible, Williams said. Samford senior and Step Sing production chair Tessa Hall says the goal is not only for the student body to come together, but also to impact the community. We have worked really hard on this. Longtime conservationist. It was not fun. Step Sing has become an educational activity in which students participate through leadership development, organizational administration and time management. One of Samford's most beloved traditions. #BindSamford @SamfordU, Two performance groups of all women were told their breasts were moving too much, told to wrap them in Ace bandages or wear double or triple bras, Blalock said. After a year of silence, Samford students are back to singing and dancing to the beat of their own drum. University officials told them to bind their breasts. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). The professional lighting and high definition video used in this years production created issues with costumes that were addressed in order to ensure that none of our students were embarrassed or singled out by what the lights could show. This is the first year we have two classes, both sophomores and freshmen, that really dont know what theyre getting into, Green explains. The students had to go out and find bandages, she said. The 2022 show includes appearances from a lot of fun and unique characters. Use your browser's incognito or private browsing mode to avoid participating. The performances began Thursday night, continued Friday night, and conclude Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Wright Center Concert Hall. Its a production thats fun for the whole family.