Council on University Programming will be hosting its fourth annual Dance Marathon, beginning at 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 9, in the Ratner Athletics Center Competition Gym. Organized primarily this year by COUP members Maylea Ma and J.P. Jewell, both third-years in the College, Dance Marathon’s goal is to raise more than $10,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Children’s Place Association, a Chicago-based residential facility for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Aside from featuring 12 hours of people dancing, the event will host numerous RSOs giving performances, making food, and giving dance lessons. Dance Marathon will also have appearances by two student DJs, numerous raffles and giveaways, a live band, a speech by a representative from The Children’s Place Association, Dance Dance Revolution, and a twist contest. Fire Escape Films will film the marathon for a promotional video to be shown at Doc early next year. At least 60 people this year are expected to raise $120 each by the day of the event in order to become official dancers. Multiple businesses are also donating both prizes and money, such as STA Travel, Sony, Apple, and Kaplan.

If people interested in the event can contact J.P. Jewell at jpjewell@uchicago.edu.