Tops in Blue perform in Grand Forks Published July 2, 2012 By Airman 1st Zachiah Roberson 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Hundreds of patrons gathered at the Chester Fritz Auditorium in downtown Grand Forks on June 30 to see the spectacle of Tops in Blue. Tops in Blue is a group of Airmen composed of 35-40 singers, dancers and technicians working to raise morale in Airmen and military families across the world. This year Tops in Blue's tour is entitled "Listen," which embodies an array of musical genres such as rock, country, jazz and pop in a smartly choreographed show. "Tops in Blue serves as an expeditionary entertainment unit, to provide quality entertainment from within Air Force resources for the Air Force family with priority to Air Force personnel stationed worldwide and deployed overseas," said Tech. Sgt. Josh Tarrant, a drummer with the group. The audience members were awestruck as the show started. Bright, colorful lights trailed across the stage as dancers and vocalists poured onto the scene from every direction. "During the show it's a blast," said Tarrant, who has been playing drums for nearly half his life. "The show was amazing from start to finish," said one attendee. The performance team is responsible for the assembly of more than 60,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio, video and special effects equipment necessary to create the experience that is Tops in Blue. "We set up every show and we tear down every show," said Tarrant. On top of needing to know the skills to be a good technician for the show, they must also master the instrumental and vocal aspects of the show, along with displaying perfect choreography. Since their first world tour in 1953, TIB has been featured on film, produced albums and appeared on national television. For more information, visit their website at http://www.topsinblue.com/.