Another Reason To Celebrate America
At the beginning of the semester, as school and students are getting into the full swing of things, campus life provides many activities.
One of the major events is the classic Celebrate America show dedicated to the swing music era. Bringing the theme of Aloha-USO, this year’s show is set in the Hawaiian Islands during World War II.
Bringing the joy of big band music along with classic choreographed dancing, the popularity of the event has been on the rise since its inception.
Originally charted as “An Evening With Glenn Miller” in conjecture with the university in the 1970s, the show went on for nearly 30 years as the premiere Big Band show in the valley. The show is still one of the largest dinner and music events held in Logan year round.
Brenda Anthony, who has been the production director of the show since it began, said the show can provide the perfect backdrop for a unique date.
“It’s a huge show and it’s just incredible with the singing and dancing. We have a dinner catered by the University Food Services. It is set as a USO show so the audience is the military and civilian personnel and so they are under orders to enjoy themselves,” said Anthony. “The entertainers have been sent to the Islands to entertain from Broadway to Hawaii,”
Anthony also suggests the show as a great date activity. “If you really want to impress a date, girls or guys, call them up and invite them to something unique. We have people come in full uniform and formal dress to others coming in Hawaiian shirts and jeans,” she said.
From songs meant to inspire, to others that make people laugh, the show is meant for audiences of all ages. The production also features a large big band orchestra led by Utah State Alumni and Utah’s first Jazz Master Larry Smith.
Students who have previously attended the show said it was a worthwhile experience.
“As far as interpretive dances go, it’s one of the better ones. It is very interesting and very lively and the music is great,” said Eric Dahlberg, USU student majoring in engineering. Students are welcome to come to any of the shows and can get tickets online or through the USU ticket office.
Cassie Finch, one of this year’s performers, said she has enjoyed learning the dances for this year’s Celebrate America and encourages everyone to come see the show.
“I love the Broadway-type dancing and I love the old time music that we get to perform to. I like how we got to learn how to hula from someone that was from Hawaii who is also in the cast,” Finch said.
“Getting to know everyone and seeing when the veterans stand up when their anthem is played is an amazing experience. Performing with a live band is always a great experience,” Finch said.
This year’s Celebrate America brings many reasons to celebrate everything that is American.
-chris.gardner@aggiemail.usu.