The Office of Multicultural Affairs will present the 4th Annual African American Step and Drill Show on Feb. 10 and 11.

Two performances of the show will take place Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. Both performances will take place in Doner Auditorium.

Anthony Robinson, performing for his second year on the Black Student Alliance’s step team, said that step dancing, a choreographed dance, originated in fraternities and sororities.

“I enjoy what I do, it’s like acting,” Robinson said.

Stepping is a style of dance in which footwork is the most important element. Arm and body movement is added for style.

Rozhyer Aware, coordinator of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said, “The reason we have this competition in February is in celebration of Black History Month.”

The step team has worked very hard and will put on a good show, she said.

Mike James, a four-year team veteran, said the step is a mix between hip-hop, dance and rhythm.

“There’s a little nervousness … but once you start performing, it all goes away,” James said.

Along with SDSU’s Black Student Alliance step team, other fraternities, sororities and step and drill teams were invited to perform in the event.

Black Entertainment Television comedian B. Cole will perform on the Market Stage in The Union on Friday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. Cole is a comedian, actor, writer and movie producer. He has been seen on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and BET’s “Comic View.” He also had a small part in the movie “Barbershop.”

“I’ve seen him on BET, he’s funny,” Robinson said.

On Saturday at 10 p.m., an after show hip-hop party at Jack’s Place will take place in The Union.

“Admission to all events is free, and we encourage everyone to come to see the show,” Aware said.

#1.883779:1148765965.jpg:steppractice2.jn.jpg:The SDSU Black Student Alliance step team practices in a classroom to prepare for their upcoming show.:

Four fighters with ties to SDSU fought in the “Battle In Brookings” cage fighting event Dec. 2 at the Swiftel Center.

SDSU student John Kolbach said that it is hard for amateur fighters to get started in this type of sport because of the lack of knowledge, training and the mentality it takes to fight.

“It is hard for amateur fighters to know how to defend themselves intelligently,” Kolbach said.

Nick Dieter, a Family and Consumer Affairs major, also began training with Dakota Judo prior to the fights.

“I started fighting because of the competition and dedication it takes to be a fighter,” Dieter said.

DeRouchey and Dieter, both somewhat new to cage fighting, were defeated in the second round of their fights.

“It’s hard because you don’t know the other fighter’s style and how he is going to come at you,” Dieter said, “I was disappointed.”

DeRouchey, a dairy science major, had been training for this event for about six months.

“I had already been boxing when I started training for this event,” DeRouchey said.

Incubus once again reinvents their sound with the release of their sixth studio album “Light Grenades.”

“Light Grenades,” which was released on Nov. 28, holds 13 tracks that show the group’s electric style and ability to create an album that engages the listener to the very end. Every Incubus fan knows that each album has had a different feeling to it. “Light Grenades” once again proves this.

“Quicksand,” the lead track, offers fans a new, slow, melodic presence. “Quicksand” leads right into “A Kiss to Send Us Off,” an upbeat, hard rock song with punk undertones.

“Dig,” which could quite possibly be the most impressive song on the album musically, shows off Brandon Boyd’s incredible talent with lyrics.

“If I turn into another, dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me. Sing this song. Remind me that we’ll always have each other when everything else is gone,” Brandon sings.

“Anna Molly” also shows off Boyd’s indescribable way with words in the title alone.

The title track of the album, “Light Grenades,” brings forth some of the old funk-rock blend that made Incubus famous.

Mike Einziger, Jose Pasillas and Ben Kenney show off their unbelievable talents on each song, showing fans that their abilities to write songs together have grown with each passing album. Chris Kilmore, who typically worked on samples behind his turntables, grows as he adds in different elements of music as well. This time finds him broadening his musical ability by playing the organ, piano and mellotron to different songs.

Each song on “Light Grenades” has a different and incredible feel to it and shows Incubus’ diverse style of music.

You read the chapters, read the notes and completed the study guide. You are ready to ace that test, but as soon as the instructor hands out the paper, you forget everything. However, TRiO Student Support Services has tips that will help you make the grade without losing your lunch.

Five-Day Study Plan

Preparing early for an exam is the key to performing well. Test material can be learned more efficiently if a student studies material briefly throughout a longer period of time.

The key to cramming is focusing on the material you remember. Students have less chance of remembering something when they teach themselves the night before an exam.

The main keys to the five-day study plan are:

1. Studying must be done evenly during a five-day period.

2. Learn a new part of your study material each day and review the material previously studied.

3. Divide study material into even blocks.

4. Writing and reciting is a way to use active learning and is very useful.

5. Self-testing helps a student monitor his or her learning progress.

10 Tips for Test-Taking

1. Arrive for the test early and prepared.

2. Stay calm and confident with yourself.

3. Pick a good spot to take the test with plenty of room to work.

4. Take time to read through the test before you begin answering questions.

5. Answer the questions you know first. The difficult questions, questions that take a long time to answer or the questions with the lowest point value should be the last questions a student answers.

6. Know when to guess on a multiple-choice question. If there is no penalty and a student doesn’t know the correct answer, eliminate the answers you know are wrong and guess. Your first choice is usually the correct one.

7. Think before you write on an essay test. Create a small outline of discussion points.

8. Get to the point on essay tests. State your main points in the first sentence and use the rest of the space to justify your points. Use examples and specific information to back up your points.

9. Take 10 percent of the test time for review.

10. Tests can further prepare you for another test, midterm or final. Review your answers after every test.

Two bands, the Bottle Rockets and Trampled by Turtles, are set to rock Skinner’s Pub on Sunday, Oct. 15, with the doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 9 p.m.

The Bottle Rockets seem to have a sound reminiscent of Bob Dylan playing with the Refreshments. They are touring to promote their eighth album, “Zoysia.” The Bottle Rockets consist of guitarist/vocalist Brian Henneman, drummer Mark Ortmann, guitarist John Horton and the newest member, bassist/vocalist Keith Voegele.

Trampled by Turtles is a bluegrass band from Duluth, Minn. Their style, however, doesn’t fit typical bluegrass. According to the band’s Web site, it combines bluegrass, punk, alt-country and rock to create a fast-paced, floor-stomping, live performance.

Tickets are being sold at Skinner’s Pub for $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The show is open to everyone 21 years of age and older.

Sunday and Monday are the holy days of football, and a few local establishments are kicking in so you can root your team on in style. Check out these local hangouts for weekly football entertainment:

Where to go: Skinner’s Pub.

Cheering Equipment: Fans can catch the game on a 12-foot, high-definition big screen.

Winning Specials: This local watering hole designates its celebratory events for Vikings fans, so Vikings fans wearing jerseys can drink free beer until halftime. Skinner’s also offers free food every Sunday at noon.

Where to go: Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill.

Cheering Equipment: 50 television sets including two 10-foot big screens.

Winning Specials: Cubby’s U members receive deals on wings and pints.

Extra Points: Students get the chance to win various prizes during games by answering trivia questions.

For students who aren’t old enough to legally drink, have some fun with your friends and grill out. With winter coming, fall is the last chance to grill out before the ground is covered in snow.

Watching football is an American tradition and is a great break from work and school. Enjoy the fall and have fun relaxing with your favorite team.

#1.884195:1090342582.jpg:mnf02.jpg:Sports fans take in the game at Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Brookings. Both Cubby’s and Skinner’s Pub feature specials for spectators.:Erin Lester

With a combat setting and makeshift war tactics, Darkside Paintball presents students with an alternative to studying or partying.

“I am impressed with how well the establishment was run. It’s another option for good, clean, wholesome fun,” said sophomore Isaac Stiegelmeier.

Joe Brandsma and Jeff Feucht will celebrate their second-year anniversary of owning Darkside Paintball when January rolls around.

Darkside Paintball is located in the Brookings Mall between Nyberg’s Ace Hardware and Carpy’s Bar. It’s open Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. They are also open to parties on any other day.

The average cost to play a round of paintball is $35 per person. This includes an entry fee, a paintball gun, goggles, all-day C02 use, and 500 rounds of paint. They also have other, less expensive packages available if you have your own equipment.

Groups of 10 or more that notify Darkside 24 hours in advance get a $5 discount per person.

#1.884240:4068779623.jpg:paintball01.jpg:Paintballers enjoy doing battle at Darkside Paintball.:

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have triumphed over many adversities to achieve a level of stardom not to be overlooked.

The death of original guitarist Hillel Slovak, multiple drug addictions, and many breakups have all had an impact on the band, which has been making music since 1983.

John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary (Flea), and Chad Smith are now releasing their ninth studio album, “Stadium Arcadium.”

Again working with long-time friend and producer, Rick Rubin, the 28-track, double-disc album is hitting stores May 9. Thirty-eight songs were originally going to be released as three albums spaced out every six months, but the band decided to take the top 28 tracks and release them all at once.

According to Spin magazine, Kiedis said, “[Recording] was like Christmas every day. I’d get in the car at the end of rehearsal, and I’d stick in the CD that we’d recorded and be like, ‘Wow, I’m not exactly sure what we’re going to do with this, but I know it’s going to be great.’ “

The launch of “Dani California” marks the first single that has been released by the band since their 2001 multi-platinum album “By The Way.” “Dani California” is a representation of every girl that Kiedis has ever known. Other songs that have had the same depiction are song “By The Way,” with lyrics.”Dani the girl is singing songs to me beneath the marquee,” and the song “Californication,” with the lyrics “Teenage bride with a baby inside getting high on information.” All of these references are about “Dani California.”

Kiedis, Flea, Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons founded the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1983. The band acquired a following before releasing their first album due to their hectic live performances. The original lineup, however, did not last long because Irons and Slovak were committed to another band. After the release of their self-titled album and having problems with Slovak, Jack Sherman replaced Slovak on guitar. Slovak and Irons returned to the band in 1985.

After releasing albums “Freaky Styley” and “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan,” the band once again lost Slovak and Irons. Slovak continued to have drug problems throughout the band’s touring performances. In May 1988, Slovak was clean on the European tour and their problems seemed gone. However, on June 27, 1988, Slovak was found dead after overdosing on heroin. Irons refused to continue with the band after Slovak’s death.

“Mother’s Milk,” the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s fourth album, marked the first album completed with John Frusciante and Chad Smith. The songs on this breakthrough album are rarely played at their shows, the album took the Chili Peppers to the next level.

1991 propelled the Chili Peppers to where they are now, at the top, as one of the greatest bands of all time. “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” was released in September of 1991. “Give It Away” was the Chili Peppers’ first-ever number-one hit. Along with “Give It Away,” “Under the Bridge,” “Breaking the Girl,” and “Suck My Kiss” helped complete the 74-minute album. This also began the band’s relationship with Rick Rubin.

This album, however, almost tore the band apart. Frusciante was having difficulties dealing with the success, and in May of 1992, during the tour for their new album, Frusciante left the band. Frusciante soon developed a heavy heroin addiction, and the band was forced to replace Frusciante with Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro.

In the fall of 1995, the band released their sixth studio album, “One Hot Minute.” The album was the first and only album that Navarro would record with the Chili Peppers. The album was a flop compared to their previous attempts, and Navarro left the band in 1998 to focus on his own music.

After spending time in rehab, Frusciante returned to the band in 1998 after a visit from Flea. Frusciante, after nixing his drug habit and releasing two albums of his own material, was ready for the 1999 release of “Californication.” “Scar Tissue,” “Otherside,” and “Californication” propelled this album to the top of the charts. “Californication” produced the bands longest tour. After touring two years and performing in front of 200,000 people in Moscow, the band released their first concert DVD in 2001, “Off the Map.”

“By the Way,” the eighth studio album, was released in 2001. The album only produced two singles, “By the Way” and “Can’t Stop.” The album was the mellowest the band has ever released. After touring another two years, the band released their second concert DVD, “Live at Slane Castle.”

The band also released their first live album after the “By the Way” tour. “Live at Hyde Park” was recorded during their performance in London. According to Spin magazine, the three shows performed at Hyde Park set a world record for the highest-grossing concert event at a single venue in music history. The shows, sold out within a few hours, had an audience of 258,000. The shows produced $17,187,234 taking the record from the Bonnaroo Music Festival, which grossed about $14.5 million.

Kiedis also released his autobiography, “Scar Tissue,” in October of 2004. Kiedis talked deeply about his friends, music, battle with drugs, and the girls he has loved. The book also has the stories behind many of the Chili Peppers’ popular songs.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have proven themselves to be one of the greatest rock bands of all time. According to Rolling Stone magazine, John Frusciante is number 18 on the “Top 100 Guitarists” list, and Flea and Smith have been noted as some of the top musicians with their respective instruments. Kiedis has acquired exceptional taste when writing lyrics that display his tortured past and his astounding future.

According to an article in Spin magazine, Flea said, “[Stadium Arcadium] is a sum of everything we are as a band.”

Look for their ninth studio album in stores May 9. Judging by the past, the new album has a chance at being one of the top albums of the decade.

“Schoolhouse Rock, LIVE!”, a play that has been performed at Doner Auditorium since last weekend and will continue through this week with matinees, is a play for all ages.

This play brings back to life the classic early-’70s cartoon “Schoolhouse Rock.”

Tom, a teacher who is apprehensive about his new job, is concerned that he may not be able to perform his job well.

USD’s Slagle Hall in Vermillion was rocked Friday night by one of the top musicians of today.