European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 21, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 16 the stars and stripes monday april 21, 1986getfjn Down with up with people by Paul Cozby Kaiserslautern Bureau eight months on the Road and no they re joining the International musical group up with people last july Kelly Prather Gerry fallen and Susi Spielkamp performed before millions who watched half time activities at the super bowl in january. They spent easter sunday on a stage in a belgian maximum Security prison dancing for 200 men and 20 women. They have Sung to audiences of abused children and held hands with nursing Home patients who Only understand the language of touch. Days that begin at 8 . Often end at 3 30 the next morning. For a year their lives have been a Cycle of performing sleeping and travelling repeated in a dozen countries. But at Christine Kleber s Saa Brucken apartment they have a Haven for a few Days. Next week it will be a different City and a different apartment. This week there is time to sit around the breakfast table and talk while outside Gray skies begin to drop Light Snow. I could have spent a year backpacking through Europe said fallen 21, a tall enthusiastic College Sophomore from Ridgewood . But i m actually living Here. I m seeing How they live. Instead of seeing it from a bus you re seeing How they up with people was formed in 1968 by an american j. Blanton Belk who wanted to find a positive expression for the Energy and idealism he saw of the student movements of that time. The group started with 100 members and an eight country tour with the stated of encouraging understanding Between people of different nations. This year s tour includes five up with people casts with 120 members each that set out from their Tucson ariz., Headquarters last August. Of 10,000 interested Young people 600 Are chosen each year. Acceptance in the troupe is based More on personal maturity than musical ability said Prather 22, who was working in Tucson when a second attempt at joining up with people paid off. The members or students As they Call themselves pay $6,300 to participate. They must get to Tucson at their expense where five weeks of intensive training culminate in a dress rehearsal of a Given year s songs and dances. The next 10 months Are spent on buses trains and planes As the Young performers Only Ages 18 to 25 Are accepted Cross the United states and foreign countries always staying in the Homes of locals who Volunteer to be surrogate families for a week. The rules for both the family and the students Are simple. The family provides a bed breakfast and some transportation. The student agrees to live As part of the family and agrees not to drive. For both the Host family and the up with people cast member much of the real growth in understanding comes not in the performing for crowds in foreign countries but in living with the people there. It s a difficult program a demanding program said fallen As he thought Back to freezing nights in an unheated bedroom of one belgian Host family. Sometimes you look in the Mirror and say what the hell am i doing Here but you discover Little things about yourself and big things about yourself. You learn about your talents and your there Are risks on both sides. Up with people staff members warn the students to expect one or two bad experiences with Host families. Troubles can Range from simply not getting along to fallen s freezing bedroom. But the Host families Are taking risks As Well. Kleber has opened her Home to strangers. She Speaks no English. Until her son comes Home from school in the afternoons to translate communication is in the form of pointing grunting and laughing. I read in a newspaper that they were looking for places to stay Kleber said of her decision to be a Host family. I wanted to help and i thought it would be Good for my son to practice his Kleber had never been to an up with people performance but had seen them on television. She asked a Friend received a positive report and called the Saa Brucken newspaper that is sponsoring the group locally. For the students the Host families often become the focal Points of the year abroad. Some of the 100 Young men and women from 20 countries perform in up with people s new International music show beat of the future on tour throughout Central Europe. One of the first things you remember about a City is the family you were with said Prather. You spend three Days and it s amazing How quickly you become very close. You can t imagine How you be lived your life without since the up with people performers Are their own Road Crews finishing a show at 10 . Means the equipment will be packed by Midnight. Then your Host family will pick you up and of course they Haven t seen you All Day and want to talk said Spielkamp 19, a German who applied with the group after her Mother saw them on television. So you go Home and eat pizza until 3 30." the Long Days the time away from Home the almost daily changes take a toll. It s very Normal to have tremendous mood swings Prather said As her Saa Brucken Mother nodded in agreement. It s like having another More like a whole family said Kleber. They Tell you in Tucson that you might be washing dishes and suddenly find yourself crying fallen said. And you won t know if it s because you re sad or that is when the presence of a family is needed most and it is the give and take in time of need that makes the system work Prather said. That s Why i m Here she said. To give of yourself and to let people give to you. That s what it s All up with people will tour Sweden Denmark Germany Belgium the Netherlands and Switzerland april through june and the group is seeking Host families in Many areas. Those wanting to participate can be married or single. For More information Call Bonn civilian 02.28-232018. Check the on stage pages in stripes Magazine for the tour dates
