Let’s make mixers better!

This is probably a weird place to ask, but I find the beginnings of mixers slightly awkward. Personally, I see people talking to their own Greek org and trying to jump in talking to them requires hella courage. Besides the icebreaker activity, what usually works for you guys when approaching people (or getting approached), holding meaningful conversations and getting into a different activity without someone getting side tracked? What do you guys do to make mixers less boring and keeping people engaged? Thanks