Ben's Blog

By Ben Coplin

ORLANDO, Fla. – Breast Cancer Survivors and their supporters filled the seats in the auditorium of the Harwood Dance Studio Saturday night.

“PURE”, or Public Urban Ritual Experiment, put on a fantastic show, filled with many different cultural dances, songs, and rituals. Solo performers also made a splash with the audience. “I loved it, such an infusion of culture in a society that’s lacking it so much,” said audience member Eric O’Donnell.

PURE is an international community of artists that originated in New York City, and promotes change, beauty, and awareness through the power of dance and music.  Their performances are influenced by many exotic cultures, including Middle Eastern and Chinese dances.

Programmed and produced by Rita Van Trump, the show lasted two hours, and kept a jubilant, upbeat tone throughout.  “Works of PURE Love is my brain child…I came up with the idea of producing a quarterly benefit show to help raise awareness, and hopefully funds, for various local charities in the area”, said Van Trump.

The benefit show’s earnings went to the charity Compassionate Hands and Hearts, which is dedicated to helping women who are going through Chemo Therapy. Compassionate Hands and Hearts was founded by WFTV/WRDQ anchor Vanessa Echols, who battled breast cancer in 2004. “In 2004, I was one of three women at WFTV/WRDQ being treated for Breast Cancer…I have been working with [Vanessa] ever since”, said Van Trump.

P.U.R.E Event in Downtown Orlando this Saturday.

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A little bit about me….

I’m Ben, I live on the outskirts of Orlando, FL. I work at a local TV station as an Assistant Director & Master Control Operator. I’m very interested in Broadcasting and Journalism (obviously). I like to fly as a hobby, I currently hold a Student Pilot Certificate with 70-something hours in a Cessna Skyhawk w/ G1000. I created this blog because I had to for News Reporting class….. but I plan on keeping it updated even after that.