Up with People archives

Up with People is an international educational nonprofit organization aimed at creating young adults with global understanding through musical performance, international tours and community service. Up with People emerged in 1965 from Sing Outs. Moral Re-armament, an international morality and spirituality movement, sponsored these shows which attracted young people with its positive message of love, honesty, purity and unselfishness. J. Blanton Belk, the founder of Up with People, incorporated in 1968 with the encouragement of President Dwight Eisenhower and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and then separated from Moral Re-armament. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado since 1993, Up with People began in Tucson, Arizona with the University of Arizona serving as the staging center for several months each year as new cast members- young men and women between 18 and 29 learned songs and choreography. Up with People has performed at a variety of notable events including the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, four NFL Super Bowl half time shows and several World Expos as well as for dignitaries around the world. Up with People suspended its programs in 2000 but returned after reorganization in 2004. Today Up with People continues to use music as a way to create understanding between cultures and impact communities worldwide through service in order to create global citizens. It is an independent nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization without any religious or political affiliations.