The use of sticks isn't something that most people would usually associate with dance.

But for fans of raas, an energetic dance form from India, a grasp on how to take sticks and mix them into choreography in an appealing way is essential to any good performance.

This weekend, students looking to see how this dance-stick connection comes together are in luck. Dandia on Fire (DOF), Penn State's own raas/garba competition, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Eisenhower Auditorium.

University teams will compete for their share of the $3,000 prize.

DOF has been in the works since June 2007. Members of the Penn State Raas Team organized after noticing the lack of team and fan-oriented competitions on campus, said DOF management team member Giri Shah (junior-finance). They talked to people who have held competitions and moved forward from there, he said.

Penn State's raas team, the Penn State Ghaamudyas, is well known among college-level raas teams for their prestigious victories in years past, including the garba/raas crown at the 2007 Best of the Best dance competition in Chicago, Shah said. While the Ghaamudyas will be the opening act instead of competing, the DOF organizers used the team's connections to help them to get 10 other universities from across the country to sign up and compete.

"We drove to other competitions and actually handed out registration packets to teams in person, as well as explained to them about our vision and commitment to showing them an exciting weekend when they get here," said DOF team member Dipen Patel (junior-industrial engineering).

In addition to talking directly with teams, DOF advertised on the Internet and on the radio. The hard work paid off: Some of the other competition teams include University of Maryland's EntouRAAS team, Duke University's Daal Bhaal Shak Raas Team, Indiana University's HoosieRaas team and University of California at Los Angeles' Bataaka Nu Shaak team, according to dandiaonfire.com.

Garba and raas are traditional forms of Indian dance from the Indian state of Gujarat.

Garba involves "rhythmic stepping and many sweeping motions with the arms," DOF registration chair Trusha Patel (junior-biochemistry and molecular biology) said.

"Elements of hip hop, jazz, African and other Indian types all make their way into these performances. It's a global experience, not just an Indian cultural one," Bindu Pisupati (junior-biobehavioral health) said.

Trusha Patel stressed the addition of modern influences on the dances that will be featured at DOF.

"Though these dance forms are immensely traditional in nature, choreographers and dancers around the nation have added a modern twist to yield the high-energy, stunt-filled dances that will be showcased at Dandia on Fire," she said.

Despite the modern influences on the dance, the costumes remain traditional.

"The costumes worn by performers are traditional northern Indian costumes. They are generally brightly colored and sequined. They add a sense of vibrance and energy to the dance," Trusha Patel said.

Raas dance incorporates the use of wooden sticks, called dandia, to add percussion to the dance. The dancers twirl them and hit them in the air while moving. These rapid stick movements are what inspired the name Dandia on Fire for the competition, Trusha Patel said.

The competition is expected to last about three hours.

"Each school performs one, usually about eight-minute routine often filled with props, stunts, and different speeds of dancing. Usually there are also guest appearances and performances while judges tally their score sheets," Pisupati said.

Members of the DOF management team are also familiar with competition.

"The experience of attending dance competitions has been the most memorable part of my college experience. Each competition leaves us with countless memories and new friends," Trusha Patel said.

She said the feeling of performing on stage and sharing a passion for dance with the audience is "just indescribable."

"The adrenaline is incredible and it often feels like you are just lost in the dance," she said.

In addition to actually performing, the atmosphere of competitions is also fun for the dancers.

"It's amazing to meet other people from different universities, share a combined love, laugh and get along and then compete against each other without animosity," Pisupati said.

Each of the schools attending has worked hard to prepare for the contest.

"It takes a very long time to pull together a dance. It takes hours of practice as well as creativity. Choreography usually includes coming up with unique formations as well as modern moves and catchy stunts," Dipen Patel said.

DOF management expects a diverse audience because of the universal appeal of dancing, Trusha Patel said.

American and Indian dancing come together at points throughout the performance, and Pisupati marveled at the way two different cultures "can blend together so effortlessly."

"Dancing is something that unifies all cultures, whether you're black or white," she said. "This is a professional show staged with fancy lighting and props. It's just like watching an intense step show or dance show on MTV."