For the fourth consecutive semester, the Dance Marathon rocked the ’Sco from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 19 in order to raise money for charity. Beer and soda flowed like water, delicious pizza was in abundant supply and dancers got free buttons featuring celebrities such as Chris Farley in his Chippendale costume. As always, everyone who did not sneak in through the windows went to sleep soundly, knowing that the three-dollar donations at the door meant the night of drinking and dancing benefited a good cause.

This semester’s Marathon was a fundraiser for Sarvodaya, an organization based in Sri Lanka that has pledged to take in and provide for children ages 11 and under orphaned by the tsunami disaster. Tzedek, the social action organization that created the Marathon just four semesters ago, co-sponsored the event with the South Asian Students Association (SASA). The two student groups put together a 10-member committee that got the word out all over campus through fliers, buttons, class-wide emails and sexy silk screens that showed Marlon Brando in a t-shirt and read, “I heart the ’Sco.”

The night was a huge success. The classic formula of the Dance Marathon — three dollars at the door gets you free beer, pizza and soda — was coupled with music that had the ’Sco hopping until the very end. The event brought out diehard Marathon fans — some even chose to celebrate by showing up in festive garb. Senior Brian Block from Berkeley, California sported a pink spandex aerobics bodysuit, explaining, “Tsunami relief is my numero uno priority!” before tootsie-rolling across the dance floor.

As it has done in the past, the Dance Marathon succeeded in uniting Oberlin dance enthusiasts and raising money — this time, a whopping $1,500 for Sarvodaya.