Today is Friday, Feb. 21: the day that UNCW would have hosted its 16th Annual Port City Step Show. Instead, the Upperman African American Cultural Center is partnering with UNCW’s National Pan Hellenic Council and The Black Student Union to host the First Annual Black Alumni Homecoming Mixer. 

NPHC announced the cancellation of the step show on its Facebook page Monday, Feb. 17.

“Due to circumstances out of our control, we regret to inform you that the 16th Annual Port City Step Show is canceled,” NPHC said. 

Refunds for the step show are available on etix.com for students and guests who purchased advanced tickets online.

While details surrounding the cancellation were not fully disclosed, NPHC president, Desiree Taylor, said that two of the competing teams dropped out at the last minute due to complications on their end.

“It was completely out of our control on our end and sadly [we] had to cancel the show,” Taylor said.

The Black Alumni Homecoming Mixer is meant to recreate the joy of the step show, bringing old friends, new friends and live music to the Fisher University Union to allow African American alumni and students to celebrate and help shape the future of UNCW.

Todd McFadden, director of the Upperman African American Cultural Center, explained the importance of having the mixer in absence of the step show.

“Because the step show [is] canceled, I wanted to have some opportunity for African Americans to gather and reminisce about the past and be able to talk about the future of African American students,” McFadden said.

Brandon Bell, Excellence Project coordinator at the Upperman Center, also agreed that the mixer is a great multiethnic networking event.

“[It will be] a good cultural exchange between African American students of the past and the present,” Bell said.

The First Annual Black Alumni Homecoming Mixer will feature live music from Darryl Donnell Murril and his band, Step Above, along with a guest appearance by Coast 97.3’s DJ Bigg B, with refreshments provided by Jamaica’s Comfort Zone.

While the 16th Annual Port City Step Show will not be rescheduled for a future date this year, NPHC will be hosting other events during this spring semester.

“NPHC is currently working on NPHC week as well as a Stroll Off competition between the different chapters in the three councils we have on campus,” Taylor said.

For students wishing to stay updated with all NPHC events, Taylor suggests staying connected with them through print and social media. 

“Keep a look out for flyers and tweets from us!” she said.

The Black Homecoming Mixer will take place tonight, Friday, Feb. 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Fisher University Union room 2021 and Azalea Coast Rooms A and B.