Freeport, The Bahamas – When the multinational cast of Up with People takes the stage at Jack Hayward High School in Grand Bahama on Thursday, February 24th at 7:00pm, audience members will find something for virtually every musical taste and interest.
Long before American Idol began discovering and refining new talent or High School Musical tapped into the exuberance of young ensemble casts, Up with People pioneered these attributes while touring the world with their optimistic message of global cooperation and goodwill.
Up with People’s all-new production is entitled “A Song for the World” which features the energy and talent of a cast and staff of 100 representing 21 countries. Aside from this stop in Grand Bahama, their 2011 spring tour will include 20 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. Up With People has performed in 4 Super Bowl halftime shows, the 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as being the opening act for the 2008 and 2011 Rose Parades in Pasadena, CA.
“A Song for the World is really about possibility”, explains Up with People Producer/Director Eric Lentz. “Our goal is to leave our audiences with a sense of believing that each and every one of them has gifts and talents to share. Their song for the world – their ability or skill – may be healing the sick, building a home for the needy, teaching the young. By shining our spotlight on the people and organizations in Grand Bahama and the great work they do, we hope to inspire our audience members to get out and share their gifts – get involved in their own unique way,” Lentz added.
For the big show on February 24th, audience members will be taken on a “tour” around the world making musical stops in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. The live two-hour performance includes both original and popular music and is a dynamic blend of feature soloists, full cast production numbers, fast-moving choreography and colorful costumes.
The group’s visit to The Bahamas was initiated by the general manager of Pelican Bay, Magnus Alnebeck who saw their performance in Europe and thought The Bahamas a perfect place for them to add to their tour.
“With the current state of the economy in Grand Bahama, we all need positive things to rally around. Up With People does a lot of good community work where they visit, and Pelican Bay is proud and happy to support this cause,” said Alnebeck.
Aside from seeing the world on stage, families in Grand Bahama will have the unique opportunity to bring a bit of the world into their own homes between February 19th and 25th. Host families are being sought to keep one or more students from the visiting cast during their week-long stay on the island. Hosting is a great opportunity to experience other cultures while sharing your own.
Up With People promotional coordinators, Shawna Reed and Brandon Serna have been on Grand Bahama working diligently on logistics for the cast housing, community service projects, and other events surrounding that visit which will include a Cultural Festival at the International Bazaar on Sunday, February 20th from 3pm to 7pm. Community service work which will span three days has already been arranged with the Red Cross, YMCA, the Children’s Home, Harvest Foundation, and the Humane Society.
On island Up With People promotion coordinator Shawna Reed said, “This is my first visit to the island, and it has been incredible. The place itself is beautiful, but even more beautiful has been the welcoming spirit of the people; my host family has given me such an insight into Bahamian culture, and the community at large has been so supportive of our mission here. I can’t wait to share with the cast everything Grand Bahama has to offer.”
“Its such a privilege to be a coordinator for Up with People’s first visit to The Bahamas and I know there will be many more to come. The local community has been so receptive and supportive,”said Brandon Serna who has been with Up With People for the past three years.
Local host families are asked to provide a bed, local transportation at the beginning and end of each day, as well as breakfast and most dinners. While gone during the day, participating in regional learning, community service and show preparation, most evenings cast members will be home with the family to participate in their activities and interests. In addition to many wonderful experiences with their new “son” or “daughter,” each host family will receive two complimentary tickets to the Up with People Show on February 24th.
If you are interested in becoming an Up with People host family, please contact Promotion Representative Shawna Reed at 242.533.6857.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the show on Thursday, February 24th. Tickets for the performance are $10 for adults, and $5 for students and are on now sale at Island Java and Pelican Bay Hotel. Up with People’s visit to Grand Bahama is sponsored by the Pelican Bay Hotel, promoted by media sponsors The Bahamas Weekly, and with support from their beneficiary, the Grand Bahama Youth Choir. Proceeds from the show will benefit a fund to provide scholarships for Bahamian student’s to travel in a future Up with People cast trip.
Up with People is an independent nonprofit, [501(c)(3)] organization without any religious or political affiliations. It provides young adults an international and intercultural experience that teaches service leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world. Up with People exists today to spark people to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world peace. For more information visit www.upwithpeople.org.
