Contestants to perform for charity

For those who have always wanted to perform on MTV's "Say What Karaoke?" Sigma Delta Tau is giving several IU students a similar opportunity.\nAbout 20 groups will compete in the sorority's "Lip Service 2000" from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday at The Gables to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America and raise awareness about child abuse.\nAccording to the PCA Web site, Child Protective Services confirmed in 1997 that 1,054,000 children were victims of some form of abuse, including physical injury, constant criticism, rape and neglect.\nFifteen to 20 acts, performed by IU students, will compete against each other for various prizes, ranging from trophies to certificates from local restaurants and bars. Sigma Delta Tau philanthropy chair Wendy Mendelson, a junior, said the house's members will judge the contest. Judging criteria include accuracy, overall appearance, presence and audience reaction, Mendelson said.\nThe event will consist of three rounds to determine the winner. In the initial round, contestants will sing a song they prepared. The audience will decide who advances. Half the contestants will make it to the second round, in which contestants will pick a song from a hat. Sigma Delta Tau philanthropy coordinator Michelle Gutnik, a senior, said the choices will all be popular songs.\n"The choices include songs you will see on MTV's 'Total Request Live,'" Gutnik said. "A very small percentage of people will advance to the next round. Only two to three acts will go on."\nGutnik said the form of the final round has not been determined and will be a surprise for the contestants.\nGutnik said the house is doing a karaoke event because their previous fund-raiser, a 5K walk, was too competitive.\n"We wanted to revamp and have a totally new event," Gutnik said. "This event will be fun for everyone. We hired a DJ and he will emcee the event."\nMendelson said there were challenges in getting people to commit to the event because of its novelty.\n"Most chapters have the same philanthropy event every year, and people know about it and attend it," she said. "This is new so we are trying to get the word out."\nMendelson said the sorority has been receiving positive feedback and said she expects 200 to 300 people to attend the event, which is both for greeks and independents.\nSophomore Traci Geffon, a Sigma Delta Tau member, said the event is a good opportunity for the campus to come together for a good cause.\n"It's really cool we can come back from Thanksgiving and end the semester on a helping note," Geffon said. "It's the holiday season, and we're giving back to the community, and we hope that people come so they can give back too"