Philanthropy dance-off to benefit fire relief fund
There’s more than just house pride and bragging rights at stake for sorority members taking part in the Fifth Annual Elimidance Philanthropy event.
The dance-off, hosted by fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon, aims to raise money for the California Wildfire Relief Fund while fostering healthy competition between the participating sororities and will be held Tuesday night at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood.
This year’s Elimidance is expected to be the biggest yet, said Ramin Savar, co-chair of the event.
“We’re very excited, and we’re hoping to break records with the number of people attending and the amount of money donated. That’s our goal for this year,” said Savar.
Savar described Elimidance as a dance-off “capitalizing on the inherent competition between the sororities” on campus, but for a good cause. Participants, who are not limited to sorority members, will dance either an individual or a group routine for a crowd of up to 1,200 and be judged by a panel of celebrities.
Donations to the California Wildfire Relief Fund will come from participant entry fees and sales of $10 tickets, $15 T-shirts and raffle tickets.
Previously, the profits made from Elimidance have been donated to nonprofits such as the Children’s Miracle Network, which is a fundraiser for hospitals, and Students for International Change, an organization that pays to send undergraduate students to regions of Africa affected by AIDS.
About $7,000 was raised for Students for International Change during last year’s event alone, according to Sigma Alpha Epsilon president Dacks Milliken. The fraternity decided to change their charity for this year’s event because of the number of UCLA and fraternity students affected by the wildfires.
This year’s raffle prizes, some of which are worth over $700, are sponsored by American Airlines, Ford Motors and Rockstar Energy Drink. The sponsorship of all three organizations was obtained through members and alumni of the Greek system, said Elimidance co-chair Travis Alexander.
Both Alexander and Savar stressed that the event was not “Greek-only.”
“This event is open to the entire student body. It’s a great way to meet people, and it’s the only time you’ll be able to get into the Avalon for 10 bucks,” said Savar.
After the competition, which will last from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., the venue will host a dance party for attendees, complete with a DJ and bar. All money earned through the party will also be donated to charity.
Ultimately, the Elimidance planners hope that the event will reflect differently on Greek organizations in general.
“(Elimidance) gives us a really good name – it throws Greeks in a different light to show that we care about the community and want to help in any way possible,” said Alexander.
Milliken also acknowledged the existing perception of Greek life as one filled with excessive drinking and partying, something he hopes Elimidance will help to change.
“I think everyone has a stereotype of a fraternity – for lack of a better term, the ‘Animal House’ mentality,” said Milliken. “But this is our biggest event and one that makes a difference on a pretty consistent basis. It’s not just a big event – it’s a big event for a big cause.”
Tickets will be sold to anyone over 18 on Bruin Walk through Tuesday and at the Avalon Theatre the night of the show. Buses chartered by Sigma Alpha Epsilon will shuttle students from Manning Avenue and Hilgard Avenue to the venue beginning at 8:30 p.m.

