Bushwackers To Perform At 2014 Special Olympics
The Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps and the m*Power Special Needs Music Ensemble, both program offerings of SmART Performances, announced today their appearance as featured groups at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games: the largest, most innovative and inspirational national event to be held in the history of the Special Olympics in the United States. The six-time DCA World Champion Bushwackers will be featured at Trenton, New Jersey’s 10,000 seat Sun National Bank Center arena during the closing ceremonies of the USA Games on June 20th, 2014. Along with m*Power, the Bushwackers will also be performing at various venues and week-long events during this gathering of America’s champions. Both the Bushwackers’ and m*Power’s contribution to the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will enhance the overall experience of the nearly 3,500 Special Olympics athletes from throughout the United States who are competing in 16 different sports at top New Jersey sports venues before an anticipated 70,000 families, volunteers and fans.
The mission of SmART Performances is to further cultural enlightenment and education within our community by providing performing arts opportunities that foster social, artistic, and civic growth. SmART’s flagship program offering, the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps, provides its membership with life-changing experiences, both educationally and socially, which help each member gain real-world life skills, athletic and musical training, performance experience, and civic responsibility. The m*Power Special Needs Music Ensemble is an exciting opportunity for exceptional performers to have opportunities in personal growth through music and performance, and is geared towards providing a life changing experience through an activity that is not readily accessible to exceptional members of our community.
“We are proud to have an aligned vision with the Special Olympics. Our goal with the m*Power music ensemble is to serve the same special needs community with music, dance, and other performing arts opportunities,” said Bob Gupta, Director of SmART Performances. “The invitation for the Bushwackers to perform at the Special Olympics’ Closing Ceremonies is truly an honor. We strive every day to find unique and relevant ways to serve our local community, and this opportunity is an outstanding way for our members and educators to continue learning about the importance of civic duty.”
Sports competition for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at venues throughout Mercer County, New Jersey, including Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Mercer County Park, and several area private schools. In addition to the many showcased sports, Special Olympics athletes will participate in spectacular Special Events including an Opening Ceremony at Prudential Center, Closing Ceremony at Sun National Bank Center, a board-walk themed Olympic Town, a Special Olympics Unified Sports Festival, and much more.
“On behalf of all the Special Olympics athletes participating in the 2014 USA Games, we thank the Bushwackers, m*Power, and SmART Performances for supporting this inspirational event which serves as the platform to promote the transformative power of sports and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities,” added TJ Nelligan, Chairman & CEO of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.
About the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games
The Special Olympics USA Games will be hosted by New Jersey June 14-21, 2014. Nearly 3,500 athletes will compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 family, friends and spectators. The Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement, and promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2014 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and communities. Founding Partners for the 2014 Special Olympic USA Games include 21st Century Fox, Barnabas Health, HESS, KPMG, Prudential, PSE&G, Shop Rite, Toys“R”Us and WWE. Learn more about the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games at www.2014specialolympics.org and follow the Games on Facebook at Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUSAGames as well as Twitter @2014USAGames.
