ABOVE VIDEO:The multinational cast of ‘Up with People’ is headed to Melbourne. Up with People (UWP) has toured more than 70 countries around the world over the last 50 years. (Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily Video)
BREVARD COUNTY, MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The multinational cast of ‘Up with People’ is headed to Melbourne. Up with People (UWP) has toured more than 70 countries around the world over the last 50 years.
On September 4 at 8 p.m. and September 5 at 7 p.m., UWP will perform public shows at the Scott Center at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne.
The proceeds from the show will benefit The Scott Center for Autism Treatment, a facility dedicated to research, treatment and education for autism and families with autism.
The Scott Center for Autism Treatment teaches life skills to children with autism and also to parents to help them live a happier and more full life.
On August 31-September 7, UWP will spend time participating in service projects and live with local host families.
Asmita Dhital
“Up With People coming to Brevard is important because it’s a community event and we would like to see as many community members at the program,” said Asmita Dhital, Representative for ‘Up With People.’
“We are supporting The Scott Center for Autism and all of the ticket proceeds will go to them after the shows on the 4th and 5th of September.”
This month, UWP is recruiting families to host international cast members during their stay in Melbourne.
Families will share their traditions and local attractions as the cast members share their experiences and cultures.
An international cast of 100 people 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, those between the ages of 17 to 29, can apply to travel in future programs and earn college credit during their tour.
In recent years, many Melbourne natives have traveled the world with Up with People, including Monica Shah who is responsible for helping bring the cast into town, along with friends and other members of the Shah Family.
Mike Shah
As they do for so many charities, Mike Shah and his family are helping to sponsor the group while the 120 students and organizers are in Brevard.
When success arrived for Shah, he made a point never to forget the responsibility that accompanies good fortune: to share his time, talent and treasure with those who needed it.
“By helping others and the children, the community comes together and that is what I want Brevard County and those at Up With People to see what it can bring for all,” said Brevard County’s Mike Shah, who is helping sponsor the event.
“Once people go and see it, people coming from all over the world, get together, together it can teach us the harmony and peace by working with each other.”
Monica Shah, Mike Shah’s daughter, emphasized the impact members of ‘Up With People’ will have on Brevard County during their stay.
Monica Shah
“Brevard is a great community and ‘Up With People’ gives people the opportunity to travel outside of the country and experience other cultures. The group will be giving back to the community for three days and be involved in cultural projects with the schools,” said Monica Shah.
“Over 800-1,000 hours will be given back to the community by ‘Up With People’ members.
Best known for their high-energy, upbeat, family-friendly entertainment, the cast of 100 participants representing 20 countries is participating in Up With People’s international global education program for young adults.
For 50 years, the casts of Up with People have toured the globe performing for millions, including an unprecedented four Super Bowl halftime shows.
Eric Lentz
“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,” said Eric Lentz, Executive Producer of Up with People.
“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.
Up with People’s visit to Melbourne, Florida is presented by Southeast Petroleum Distributors, Kars Petro, BB&T, Lincoln Financial Advisors/Sagemark Consulting and Desai Family, LLC, is suported by local media sponsor Space Coast Medicine and Space Coast Daily.com.
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.
