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Let's Dance! Guest Artist Series to begin Feb. 20

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian McCurdy
  • The USAF Band
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. --  The United States Air Force Band's 2011 Guest Artist Series opens on Feb. 20 with stars from the hit television shows "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars." This program will feature "So You Think You Can Dance" winners Benji Schwimmer (swing) and Sabra Johnson (contemporary) and third place finalist Jamile McGee (hip hop), as well as "Dancing with the Stars" featured Ballroom-dancer Garry Gekhman and his partner, Nancy Flores. Musicians from The U.S. Air Force Band's Max Impact, Airmen of Note, Singing Sergeants and Air Force Strings will provide the music. Veteran television news broadcaster and primary anchor for ABC7/WJLA-TV Ms. Maureen Bunyan will be the guest emcee. The free, non-ticketed performance will take place at historic Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in downtown Washington, D.C. This is an event you don't want to miss!

"So You Think You Can Dance" first aired in 2005. A variety of contestants are chosen for the show, ranging from unknown street dancers to winners of national championships. All contestants have to work their way through a rigorous audition process. Schwimmer and Johnson were the winners on seasons two and three, respectively. McGee was a third place finalist on season one.

On "Dancing with the Stars," a celebrity is paired with a professional dancer, and they compete as a couple on varying dance styles. Past celebrity contestants have included a race-car driver, Olympians, football players, supermodels, actors, singers and even an astronaut! A world-wide ballroom dance champion, Gekhman and his partner were featured on the show as experts in their genre. Performing with Gekhman will be Nancy Flores, a national ballroom dance champion. She was a US National Latin-Dancesport Finalist, Rising Star Champion, and undefeated Fred Astaire National Champion.

On March 6, The U.S. Air Force Band welcomes back country rockers Lonestar. In 2010, Lonestar appeared on the public television program "America's Veterans: A Musical Tribute" with The U.S. Air Force Band, honoring all former servicemembers who have defended our great nation. This performance will also feature saxophonist Jordon Lulloff--the winner of the 2011 Colonel George S. Howard Young Artist Competition.

Guest Artist Series concerts take place at DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and D Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. Performances begin at 3 p.m. and are free and open to the public; no tickets needed. Doors open at 2 p.m. For details about these and other U.S. Air Force Band performances, please call our 24-hour concert line at 202-767-5658 or visit our website.