'Stomp the Yard' was a film that highlighted the stomping that has been going on at American universities for ages.

Stomping is a dance involving a rhythmical, heavy step believed to have originated in Africa.

Last year, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brought many of the top steppers to the Island for the first Stomp the Beach party, this year they are following suite with a complete weekend of events.

There will be a Happy Hour tonight at Barrs Bay Park from 5.30 to 11 p.m., a Stomp the Beach party tomorrow night at Snorkel Park, Dockyard and, on Sunday night, the Alpha Beautillion will be held at Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

Alpha Phi Alpha president Diallo Rabain, Committee Chairman Michael Pearman and members Philip Trott and Jonathan Ball spoke to The Royal Gazette about Alpha Weekend.

Last year's Stomp the Beach event saw some 800 people attend, but this year the organisers are hoping that the affair will be even larger.

"We have about 50 people taking part in the step show, but we are looking at getting into triple digits in as far as guests go," said Mr. Rabain. "So it is going to be a huge event and we'll have Juggling Jason, Vybez Alliance and Twin Star."

Doors for the event open at 9 p.m., but to allow for Bermuda Drumline patrons to also attend, the show will not begin until 11 p.m.

All proceeds go to Project Alpha, which sponsors the Alpha Maths Programme, the Beautillion and other community events. The Alpha Beautillion is a six-month mentoring programme where high school seniors compete for awards. "It starts in November and we ask each high school to submit a senior who is a high flyer," said Mr. Pearman.

"The boys go on a mentoring programme and this year they are working with Belco, which is one of our sponsors, and they are dealing with things like interview skills, résumé writing, conflict resolution and that sort of stuff.

"They also participate in many of the programmes that we conduct at the Bermuda Library for the Boys Reading Programme and they teach in the Maths Programme and they are also (visiting with seniors) at Matilda Smith Home."

He added: "This year, it is a bit of a coup in that we have seven boys.

"We are looking at having a really good competition this year, and all of them are neck and neck in as far as the amount of community service they have had and the essays they have had to write.

"It will be interesting on the night to see who pulls it out."

The winner gets $5,000, runner-up $3,000 and third $2,000 while each participant receives $1,000 and will attend New York's Leadership Development Institiute for a few days.

Former 'beau' (as participants are know) Zuri Darrell was voted Brother of the Year in his region. "He'll be competing at our National Convention of College Brother of the Year," said Mr. Pearman.

The Alphas are committed to making a difference in the lives of Bermuda's young males.

"In conjunction with Stomp the Beach, we will be visiting every Middle School and High School on Friday," added Mr. Ball. "It is a part of our go to high school and go to college mentoring programme. There will be a display by the steppers and an open forum purporting staying in school."

Among those participating in Stomp the Beach tomorrow will be Alpha Phi Alpha teams from New York and Boston and a Kappa team from Baltimore. In total five groups are coming down.

"As a charity, we are taking active steps to become more self sufficient, not always to go to corporate sponsors, you know the 'more you help yourself' mentality," said Mr. Pearman. "This is why it is so important for the public to come out."

Mr. Trott, who only joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in March said: "It has been an eye-opening experience. "It is something that, the longer I have been in it, the more pride I have had in it. These guys really take their stuff seriously."

For more information, contact 291-3062 or email stbinfo@bermudaalpha.bm. Tickets are $40 in advance, more at the door and are available at Secrets, Caesar's Pharmacy, Music World and People's Pharmacy.

There will be a special ferry service available tomorrow between Hamilton and Dockyard for those attending Stomp the Beach at a cost of $5 each way.