INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Up with People volunteers from 18 countries in town to do community service, new musical show

Gabriela Ortega
For Luminaries

This week 110 volunteers from 18 countries will visit Vero Beach to participate in  over 1,000 hours of community service and premier their brand new musical show "Live on Tour" that will benefit three local non-profits.

Momoko, from Japan, dancing one of the many international dances in the Up with People "Live on Tour' show.

For 53 years the international non-profit Up with People has been bringing together young people from all across the world to impact international communities through service and music. Up with People has toured over 70 countries and performed for millions including four Super Bowl halftime shows and has performed for talents like Andrea Bocelli. 

While in Vero Beach from March 19 to March 26, the multinational cast will participate in social service projects throughout the community, interact with youth, live with local families and perform two musical shows. 

At 7 p.m. March 22 and 8 p.m. March 23, Up with People will premier its newest show at the Intergenerational Recreation Center in Vero Beach.

All of the proceeds from these shows will go to United Against Poverty, Youth Guidance Program and Hibiscus Children's Center, three local non-profits that are doing great things in the Vero Beach community.

Up with People cast members presenting their mural.

“Our newest production, 'Live On Tour,' is designed to share our vision of a more hopeful, trusting and peaceful world,” said Up with People Senior Vice President Eric Lentz. “The show features entertaining pop medleys, international dances, and original UWP songs that will inspire people to make a positive difference in their communities.”

Gaby Ortega from Denver, Colorado and Maria Campos from San Luis Potosi, Mexico have been in Vero Beach getting to know the community and reaching out to Vero Beach residents inviting them to be part of the Up with People visit.

There are many ways that the Vero Beach community members can get involved with this visit, including becoming a host family. Host families are a very special aspect of Up with People as the group of over 100 young adults get to stay in the homes of the local people in every country they visit. This is a great opportunity for Vero Beach families to learn from different cultures as well as share their own traditions with their guests.

This visit of Up with People has been made possible by the sponsorship of the Cunningham Family Foundation, a Vero Beach family that is supporting their community in a fun and unique way.  

Buy your tickets to the Up with People shows online at www.upwithpeople.org/verobeach or at select locations of Seacoast Banks and Marine Bank and Trust. 

For more information about Up with People, their visit to Vero Beach, how to get tickets, or how to become a host family, contact Ortega at 303-263-0872 or at gortega@upwithpeople.org. 

Up with People members from China and Belgium have dinner with a host family.