Musical showpiece tops off workshops

ST. PETERSBURG - More than 400 young people will rock John Hopkins Middle School when the ninth annual Youth on the Move show starts at 4 p.m. Sunday.

The free musical extravaganza is the showpiece of Earth Mission's two-day performance, educational and self-esteem workshop.

The event begins with a free 9 a.m. breakfast Saturday at John Hopkins, followed by sessions on educational excellence, drug and violence awareness, HIV and AIDS awareness, arts education and voice training and music theory.

Earth Mission is a 23-year-old church that specializes in guiding young people ages 5 to 18.

The organization's community choir will participate in this year's Chocolate Nutcracker musical. All youngsters who register for this weekend's event can take part in the holiday production.

Gibbs High School student Nicole Phillip is the producer and coordinator of Sunday's show.

Several church groups and youth organizations are performing. Among them are the Earth Mission Dancers, Dunde Dole African Dancers, Delteen Step Team, Friendship Church Dancers, the Genesis Anointed Warriors, Precious Jewels Dancers, Bethel Community Church Dancers, the Gibbs and Boca Ciega High School step teams and Glorious Praise Dancers.

Rapper Stanley Williams also will appear. Wanesha Spencer will read original poetry and Cynthia Sao will sing the national anthem. Khana Riley from Shorecrest Prep is the mistress of ceremonies.

All registered youngsters will receive an award for their participation. Cost to participate in the workshops is $5 for youngsters and $10 for adults, but organizer Deborah Green said scholarships are available and no youngster will be turned away.

For information, call (727) 821-9472.

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