European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 1, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse Story and photos by Anita Gosch Stafl writer t he Long corridor inside Wil Flecken Community Center echoed with the sound of nervous chatter. It was saturday sept.21. And More than 50 youths Ages 6through 19. Anxiously awaited the Start of the v corps youth activities entertainment contest. At the far end of the Hall four Young men from Hanau calling themselves practice their break dance Steps one final time before the show. In the adjacent powder room the sophisticated ladies five teens from Wiesbaden dressed in top hat and tails made last minute makeup checks gently dabbing away tiny beads of sweat from their foreheads. For one performer the Day had a special significance Bernard Culpepper a break dancer from bad Kreuz Nach. Was celebrating his 7th birthday. Concerned parents soothed their Young Artistes and encouraged them to give it their Best shot. But one proud father had nothing to worry about. He seemed confident that his two sons Alexander Reyes. 7. And Steven 10. From wild Luecken would bring the House Down with their Mountain music. Twenty three act performed in seven categories including vocal Solo vocal group instrumc"?1 Solo instrumental group Solo specially act dance and group specially act and show band a variety of music styles was presented from classical with Sharon o Connell and her sister Julie of Giessen North each performing piano recitals to gospel with Carla Fisher of bad Kreuz Nach to hard Rock with the bands Metal Slayer from Hahn a and Viper from Frankfurt. In the dance division break dancing was the preferred style. Five groups and two soloists twitched and jerked tossed and tumbled to the sound of breaking music. A panel of four judges rated the acts based on technical excellence showmanship and treatment and interpretation of materials or style originality and suitability of the material performed. Each soloist had a maximum of 3\ i minutes to display his or her talents and group acts had seven minutes. The entertainment contest was a Pilot according to v corps youth activities director Arne Ardell. About a year ago Ardell along with a directors from the v corps area and some Aya directors from the air Force began planning the contest As an alternative to a sports competitions. They would like the contest to be an annual event and to perhaps have it expanded into a Usa eur wide championship. I just Hope we can say that next year will be the 2nd annual " said Ardell. That s our goal because if people could see what was going on in the wild Luecken Community Center they would just have to be Happy inside. Happy with themselves Happy for the kids. Because the kids Are Here doing their thing. And that s what s and the winners Are. In the vocal Solo category. 10-year-old Vatalya Reeves of Wiesbaden placed Lisl Lor her performance of Honey Bun from South Papilla. Pianist Julie o Connell of Giessen North won first place in the instrumental Solo category. The hard Rock Trio Viper irom Frankfurt with Brian Guido. Gerod Long and Jimm Singer won by default in the instrumental group category. Metal Slayer from Hahn a featuring Joyce Richardson Scott Dickson Kendal Stre Nasy Tim Zubrod and Kevin Willard. Won by default in the show band category Lor their performance of smoking in the boys room. Seven year old birthday child Bernard Culpepper o bad Kreuz Nach placed first in the Solo Specia to category for his break dance performance. The break dance group Universal movement floor masters irom Frankfurt. With Jerry Topasna. James Haynesworth Terrill Howard. Nolan Titano and Danny Wyatt captured first place in the dance and group specially category. The top scorers of the contest were the Reyes Brothers of Wil Flecken guitarist Steven and Tambour Inist Alexander. Winning in the vocal group category the duo had the audience on its feet clapping and stomping to country music. Page 14 the stars and stripes year old Vatalya est of i Tiaden Carlund fint plan in Mie vocal Lolo category tuesday pc
