Up with People’s international cast of 120 representing 20 countries will be arriving in Fort Myers on Monday, February 11. During the ensuing week, they will stay with local host families and participate in community impact projects before performing their international musical show on February 17.
On Monday, February 11, there will be a fire and police escort of the cast that leaves from the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers for the Alliance for the Arts, where Mayor Randy Henderson will greet the cast.
The cast will meet their host families at the Alliance for the Arts at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12 is a Community Impact Day. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., cast members will be working at:
- ACT Abuse Counseling & Treatment
- Habitat for Humanity
- Harry Chapin Food Bank
- HOPE Clubhouse
- Beauty for Ashes
- CCMI
- Children’s Network
Wednesday, February 13 is another Community Impact Day, with cast members volunteering at:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Harry Chapin Food Bank
- HOPE Clubhouse
- CCMI
- Children’s Network
- Quality Life Center
On Thursday, February 14, the cast will be involved with activities at the Alliance for the Arts, with Friday being devoted to rehearsal and set up all day at North Fort Myers High School.
The students will spend Saturday with their host families, before participating in the 75th anniversary of the Light Parade. Then on Sunday the Up with People cast will perform two shows, at 2 and 6 p.m., at North Fort Myers High School.
The cast leaves the following day, Monday, February 18 for Orlando.
There's still time to arrange to host a cast member while they are in town. If you're interested in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to exchange cultural experiences, call Up with People Advance Team member Isabel Belliard at 210-954-7925.
Up with People is a unique global education and service program focused on bringing the world together through service and music. Every 6 months, it takes approximately 100 students age 18-29 on a semester long tour around the world, visiting a new city each week to experience the culture first hand by living with local host families, doing volunteer work that serves a community need and perform an international show to wrap up the week.
The professionally produced performance combines Cirque du Soleil quality lighting, fast paced choreography and music and dance from all eras including pop hits from today and Up with People original tunes. Virtually all genres of music from ballads and rock to hip hop are represented, so there is something for every musical taste.
Following the performances, young people from each community have the opportunity to interview to travel with a future cast of Up with People.
Comments