By Jennifer Carlson
The multinational cast of Up with People is headed to Coachella Valley. Up with People (UWP), which has toured over 40 countries around the world during the last 50-years, has announced that Coachella Valley will be a stop on their 2015 tour. On Friday, March 20 at 7pm Up with People will perform a public show at Indio High School and on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm Up with People will perform a second show at Palm Springs High School. The proceeds from show ticket sales will benefit The Ophelia Project; which empowers and encourages teenage girls to increase their sense of self-worth and maximize their potential contribution to society. The Ophelia Project works with hundreds of young girls in the Desert Sands Unified School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, and Coachella Valley Unified School District.
While in Coachella Valley between March 16 and March 23, 2015, Up with People will spend time participating in service projects and live with local host families. Beginning in February, Up with People will be recruiting families to host international cast members during their stay in Coachella Valley. The sharing goes both ways…while families share their traditions and local attractions, the cast members share their experiences and cultures. By the end of their five-month world tour, the cast will visit dozens of communities throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico.
The international cast of 110 will also complete more than 1,000 hours of community service reaching out to and supporting many local non-profit organizations. Community members are invited to join the cast to give back to their own communities. Volunteering is not the only way to get involved, if you or someone you know is between the ages of 17 and 29, local youth can apply to travel in future programs. In the 50 years that Up with People has been traveling the world we have had many Coachella Valley natives participate in the program, most recently, Breah Stewart from La Quinta!
Best known for their high-energy, upbeat, family-friendly entertainment, the cast of 110 participants representing 20 countries are participating in UWP’s international global education program for young adults. For 50years, the casts of Up with People have toured the globe performing for millions, including an unprecedented four Super Bowl halftime shows.
“The Journey will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Up with People, while acknowledging that UWP’s mission is an ongoing journey, and is as relevant in 2015 as it was in 1965,” explains Up with People Executive Producer Eric Lentz. “The show will feature historical highlights from throughout Up with People’s existence, including pop medleys from the last 5 decades, and a medley of iconic UWP international dances. Original UWP songs will introduce timeless themes, and include messages of hope, movement, peace, and an overriding sense of motivation to go out and make a positive change in the world.” Lentz added.
To purchase tickets and find out more about Up with People’s visit to Coachella Valley go to www.upwithpeople.org/coachellavalley.
Up with People’s visit to Coachella Valley is sponsored by H.M. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The Ophelia Project is the beneficiary of the show.
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.
