Penn students are no strangers to the all-nighter -- whether it be a last-minute term paper or a particularly crazy night out.
However, this Saturday night, students have the opportunity to pull a new kind of all-nighter at Penn's inaugural Dance Marathon.
The marathon will raise money for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and will last from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. at the Foggy Goggle club in the Old City.
There will be 23 dancers on the floor for the whole 12 hours. Each will have a designated "moraler" to provide motivation at all times, alternating after three-hour shifts.
College senior Emily Berman is the head of the executive board organizing the marathon.
Berman, one of the event's founders along with her sorority sister, was inspired to bring the Dance Marathon to Penn after seeing the success of one of her friends at Boston University, who headed up the event there.
"The potential for these things to be successful is huge," she said.
The Dance Marathon is held on 44 campuses across the nation, the largest being at UCLA.
Berman said that the group hopes to raise $10,000, which she admitted is "a lofty goal" for Penn's first year.
Each dancer is sponsored for $100. In addition, the group has been fundraising throughout the year with events such as late-night bake sales, which have raised more than $700.
Berman said that the marathon was open to "anyone and everyone ... in the entire Philadelphia area."
Because everything -- including the venue, DJs and refreshments -- is being donated, the cover charge to enter the club will go directly to the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation.
The marathon is, appropriately enough, sponsored by Red Bull. Herr's, Insomnia Cookies, Scoop deVille and South Street Philly Bagel have donated food as well.
"This event is specifically designed for college students looking to have a good time," Berman said.
College junior Vanessa Padelford, who is signed up to dance, was not initially involved in organizing the event. Still, she jumped at the chance to dance when asked to be a friend's dance partner.
"I'm getting more and more excited," Padelford said. "I'm kind of sick now ... but I took the day off today, and am drinking lots of Vitamin C water."
In addition to the 44 schools hosting the Glaser Foundation Dance Marathon, other campuses hold marathons benefiting other charities.
The most famous "big dog" of dance marathons -- according to Berman -- is Penn State's "Thon."
The money raised goes to the Four Diamonds Fund, which benefits children with cancer.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of Thon, which is overseen by Penn State's Inter-fraternity and Panhellenic Councils. The students raised $4,122,483.65.
Berman is optimistic about the future of Penn's Dance Marathon.
"I think within a much shorter time [than 30 years], we'll hit that level," she said. "Students here are so passionate and hardworking."
