Air Force TOPS IN BLUE Concert
North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Early NovemberDescription
AIR FORCE’S TOPS IN BLUE HOSTS A FREE CONCERT IN CHARLESTON CHARLESTON AFB, SC - The U.S. Air Force’s TOPS IN BLUE is offering a free night of family entertainment. Celebrating almost 50 years of entertainment history, Tops In Blue is proud to represent the United States Air Force as one of the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind. This world renown production, Tops In Blue, is an all active duty US Air Force special unit made up of talented amateur performers selected for their entertainment abilities. Each year, thousands compete in base talent contests and the most talented move on to higher levels of competition. The result is an elite group composed of 30 of the most talented vocalists, musicians, and dancers anywhere. Known as the Air Forces’ Expeditionary Entertainers; the group’s main mission is to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. However, the enormous popularity of the group has also made them America’s goodwill ambassadors around the globe. Each team begins their tour with an intense 45-day training period at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, “Home of Tops In Blue”. This training consists of a highly accelerated educational process to prepare them to succeed as world class entertainers and distinguished Air Force Ambassadors during their nine-month tour. The performers must not only master the instrumental, vocal, choreography, and staging requirements of the performance, but also the intricate responsibilities of being their own technical staff. The performing team under the guidance of five technical personnel is responsible for setting up over 34,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio, and special effects equipment required for each performance. They must also become a complete self-contained operational unit with each member being responsible for logistical responsibilities such as ground transportation, airlift, lodging, dining, wardrobe, palletizing, etc. throughout the tour. Since its first world tour in ‘53, the group has also performed on film, produced albums, and appeared on national television with such legends as Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, BOYZ II MEN, and many others. They performed the entire halftime shows for the 1981 Garden State Bowl and Super Bowl XIX. They have performed for heads of state and dignitaries throughout the world. They have toured throughout Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, the Far East, Middle East, Central America, Canada, and all 50 of the United States. Countries such as Taiwan, Bulgaria, Iceland, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Albania, Vietnam, and Cuba have all experienced the extraordinary entertainment of Tops In Blue. Since 1996, their mission led them through hostile locations to build morale for our nation’s joint military services supporting Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina and contingency bases in Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Turkey. If the first forty years are any indication of what is
Performers
The 2002 edition of TOPS IN BLUE, Spirit Of America, is a spectacular medley of songs guaranteed to captivate audiences of all generations. This year’s team will take you on a 90-mintute musical journey across the country on a train called the Spirit Of America. From New York down to Miami and Detroit to Texas, the show includes big-band swing, hot latin sounds, and down home country music, hip-hop, pop and the ever-popular finale featuring “God Bless The U.S.A. “TOPS IN BLUE is the Air Force’s premier entertainment showcase,” said Tom Edwards, show producer and chief of Air Force Entertainment. “The new 2002 team is a reflection of the ‘best of the best’ performers throughout the Air Force.” The TOPS IN BLUE 2002 team will visit more than 110 locations and perform 130 shows in the United States and 20 foreign countries. Their official web site is http://www.airforcetopsinblue.com and provides information about the 2002 touring schedule and how to join the team. Sponsors for the tour include AT&T and FIRST COMMAND.
Venue
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Directions
5001Coliseum Drive
Times
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Admission & Parking
Free admission and parking
Website
http://www.charleston.af.mil/chasweb/events/eve...
Infophone
843--963-3809
Email
krista.carlos@charleston.af.mil