SHADES step-squad will conduct their annual show on Friday and Saturday night in Cullen Auditorium. This year’s theme, Sircus, is the group’s take on a normal circus with a twist.

“It’s a kind of strange show,” said DeMarco Howard, SHADES advisor and co-captain. “It’s a circus-meets-dead people performance. We have been choreographing steps and dances since winter break and into February, and since then it’s been about teaching and learning routines.”

Howard became involved in SHADES five years ago when a friend dared him to try out. Now he teaches some of the step routines.

“My favorite part about SHADES is how everyone can come together and create one body of movement,” Howard said.

The nineteen members of SHADES learn entire dances within 2-3 days and from then on out, it’s just about practicing. The group has been meeting every day for the past few weeks to ensure everyone is ready for the show.

Special guests will include No Face and E5 Krew, two Christian on-campus hip hop/rap groups.

Brady Robinson, senior youth and family ministry major from Powell, Ohio and a member of E5 Krew and SHADES, said the show will be interesting and enjoyable throughout the night.

“The SHADES show should be a lot of fun from start to finish,” Robinson said. “It will be entertaining as each act portrays a different part of a Sircus.”

The show should last about two hours and starts at 7:30 p.m. on both nights. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door and $4 for groups of five or more.

“Come and see the greatest show in Abilene,” Howard said. “You won’t want to miss out.”