"UB Dancing All Night, UB Dancing All Night"

This past weekend, the men's basketball team wasn't the only group making moves on the court.

After the Bulls victory over St. Peter's at Alumni Arena last Friday, students gathered in the stadium and on the court to dance the night away in the name of charity.

Since 2007, the office of Student Life hosts Stay Up UB in an effort to raise money for the UB Cares Fund. The fund was created as a way to offer relief to victims of natural disasters.

This year, UB Cares plans to donate $1,000 to victims of Hurricane Irene living in New York.

In previous years, the event was held in the Student Union. This year, in collaboration with athletics and in spirit of the men's basketball game, the program switched locations to Alumni Arena.

From 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., UB students transformed the basketball court into a dance floor in support of the annual fundraiser.

"There are more people here than I have ever seen before," said Kinra Johnson, a senior biological sciences major. "It looks like they are having fun so I think it's a good change."

Members of the Greek Life community also shared in the same sentiment. Although their attendance was required to fulfill a philanthropy requirement, many were happy to contribute anyway.

"We have to come [to Stay Up UB] because we're in a sorority," said Alyssa Faticone, a senior psychology major. "[But] I didn't expect it would be this fun, especially since it's in Alumni. It was in the Union last year and it was nothing like this."

Other students enjoyed the chance to hang out with people they don't often get to see.

"I love the fact that all of Greek Life can come together for one night and just have a good time," said Dan Brass, a junior fine arts major and member of Alpha Sigma Phi.

It wasn't only a good time for students of Greek Life. The price to attend the event was $7 in advance and $10 at the door. All UB students received a wristband that allowed them access to food, drinks, and other festivities.

From the high intensity dance battles on the dance floor, to the uniting force of the conga lines, all types of students left with their urge to dance satisfied.

This was especially true for Ryan Nash, a sophomore urban and public policy major and president of the Break Dance Club.

"We have a lot of performances and practices…so an event like this is just no stress," Nash said. "We don't have to worry about choreography and [we] just come out and have fun."

On the floor and in the stands, students expressed themselves with no shame or embarrassment. Having fun became the way to win prizes throughout the night.

Enthusiastic and spirited dancers were given ‘Dance Dollars' from members of Stay Up UB. Participants who earned the play money were able to put it toward winning various prizes, which ranged from Mighty Taco coupons to Skull Candy headphones donated by UB Micro.

"You have to move to get dollars," said Kittie Pizzutelli, a junior in the school of management and Stay Up UB planning committee member.

Even the committee members couldn't help but join in on the fun. Kaytlin Mack, a sophomore psychology major was supposed to be running the event, but instead ended up on the dance floor trying to earn her own dance dollars.

At the end of the night, the event proved successful in not only raising funds, but also in raising spirits with a good dance party.

Email: features@ubspectrum.com