May the Force Entertain You
This weekend, the United States Air Force's foremost entertainment troupe, Tops in Blue, stops in Tampa to perform a free show at the St. Pete Time Forum.
With 50 years of experience, Tops In Blue is one of the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind. The all-active-duty U.S. Air Force special unit consists of 35 talented vocalists, musicians and dancers, who undergo a very rapid educational process to prepare for their nine-month tour. The group must not only master the instrumental, vocal, choreography and staging requirements of the performance, but also the complex responsibilities of being their own technical staff, with only five technical personnel to help set up the roughly 36,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio and special-effects equipment required for each performance.
The show features an elaborate blend of American music, with Tops in Blue members presenting adaptations of tunes by The Commodores and Chaka Khan, along with variations of hits by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Madonna, Ray Charles, Martina McBride and Celine Dion.
Military personnel, their families, and anyone else looking for a few hours' worth of entertainment are invited to come out and enjoy the show. 7:30 p.m. Tues., March 22. 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-223-1000.
-Leilani Polk
