Up with People Returning to Canada

About 30 years ago I was introduced to Up With People when they paid a visit to my home town in Northern Ontario. There was something so enticing about the cast and the production that many of us quickly applied for a chance to travel with a future tour. Although I failed in my first attempt a friend of mine from high school was successful in his first bid and travelled with Up With People the following year. I applied again the next time they came to town and this time I was accepted…unfortunately various circumstances prevented me from joining the cast it’s something that has stuck with me ever since.

The experience of getting to know the cast members (we were a host family) and seeing the impact they have on the community was something I’ll never forget so when I heard that Up With People was coming back to Canada I knew I had to reach out to help them spread the word!

The multinational cast of Up with People (UWP) is making a return to Canada in 2019 for the first time since 2004 with a history stretching back to 1966. Up with People, which has toured more than 70 countries around the world during the last 54 years, has announced Canada as a stop on their 2019 and 2020 world tours. In 2019 week-long tour stops are taking place in two cities in the Toronto, Montreal and/or Ottawa areas. The 2020 stops are scheduled for Saskatoon, Regina and two cities in Alberta.

The return of Up with People’s touring will be preceded by their newest program Up with People Jr. Hosted at WE in Toronto, from July 22 – 26, 2019, Up with People Jr. is a non-profit day camp for children from 8-12. This day camp is designed to bring children together to impact their communities through global awareness, education, community service, performing arts and summer camp fun. The camp session culminates with a high energy performance showcasing the children’s talents, cultures and hopes for the world. Following Up with People Jr. comes Up with People on Tour with their week-long community impact programs.

While in Eastern Canada from September 30 to October 13, 2019 and Western Canada from April 6 to May 3, 2020, Up with People will spend time completing 1,000+ hours of volunteer work per week and will live with local host families for a true cultural immersion experience. Each week of the Canadian Tour culminates with a performance to benefit local charities in the community.

Best known for their high-energy, upbeat, family-friendly entertainment, the cast of 100 participants representing 15-20 countries will visit dozens of communities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe on their five-month world tour. “Our newest production, Live On Tour, is designed to share our vision of a more hopeful, trusting and peaceful world.” explains 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 and keep hope alive in their communities.” Lentz added.

Experiencing the show, attending Up with People Jr. and hosting cast members are not the only ways to get involved. Local youth between the ages of 17 and 29 can apply to travel in future programs. In recent years many Canadian natives have traveled the world with Up with People, including Katelyn Clements from New Brunswick, Bronwyn Bell from Ontario, Calvin Sjoberg-Wood from British Columbia and Avery Phillips from Saskatchewan. Makayla Hidalgo from Ontario will be touring with the cast coming to Ontario this Fall.

For more information on Up with People visit upwithpeople.org or for Up with People Jr. registration information visit upwithpeoplejr.org.

Bring the World Home – Host an Up with People Cast Member

Families in Ottawa will have the unique opportunity to bring a bit of the world into their homes between the 1st and 12th of October when an international cast of Up with People arrives to Ottawa, a stop on their 2019 world tour.

Host families are being sought to keep one or more students from the 100-member Up with People cast, which represents 20 countries. “It is a great opportunity to experience other cultures while sharing your own,” explained Lorena Diaz, Promotion Representative for Up with People. Local host families are asked to provide a bed, local transportation at the beginning and end of each day, as well as breakfast and most dinners. While gone during the day, most evenings cast members will be home with the family to participate in their activities and interests.

In addition to many wonderful experiences with their new “son” or “daughter,” each host family will receive two complimentary tickets to Up with People’s newest production, Live On Tour. The show features entertaining pop medleys, international dances, and original UWP songs that inspire people to make a positive difference in their communities. The show will be held at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe Mainstage on Thursday October 10th and Friday October 11th at 7PM

“I can honestly say that the dozens of families who have opened their homes to me during my time in Up with People is one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences I have had,” said Diaz “I have host brothers
and sisters all over the world, and still stay in contact with many of them,” she added.

Local families in the Ottawa area are being sought to host the cast members between the 1st to the 12th of October, 2019. Those interested in hosting are encouraged to contact Lorena Diaz at ldiaz@upwithpeople.org
or by calling 343-996-9421. Find more details at https://upwithpeople.org/getinvolved/become-a-host-family/

Up with People’s visit to Ottawa is sponsored by Canada Care Medical with the support of Real Strategy Commercial Real Estate, TD Bank and Canada Homestay Network. The proceeds from show ticket sales will benefit Youth Services, Governor General’s Foot Guards Regimental Association as well as the Up with People Canadian student Scholarship Fund.

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About Up with People

Up with People is a global education organization that empowers young people to be positive agents of change in their communities and the world. Through our unique blend of music, social action, and international travel, we impact communities for the better while providing youth the knowledge and experience they need for today’s complex global environment. For more than 50 years Up with People has been breaking down cultural barriers and
enhancing understanding to help create a more hopeful, trusting and peaceful world. Learn more at www.upwithpeople.org/

For tickets to the Ottawa shows visit http://www.upwithpeople.org/Ottawa