Local talent wows Army Soldier Show

(Above) Staff Sgt. Deneen Murray, from Fort Lee, Va., sings while Staff Sgt. Toure Clark, a resident of Batesburg, S.C., roller skates in the U.S. Army Soldier Show June 27 at Alexander Hall. Clark founded a group called Jamskaters and has mentored children in the Augusta and Columbia areas. (Right) Soldiers perform a tribute to noncomissioned officers while singing the song Kyrie Eleison. While not part of the U.S. Army Soldier Show's official cast, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Clark provided an encore bursting into song and giving the Saturday night audience his own version of Stanky Leg.

The audience responded with a rousing round of applause for the Regimental Command Sergeant Major who gave his performance as he and Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon commanding general, received a plaque in thanks of supporting the show.

The 90-minute performance featured a range of musical styles from gospel to country to hip-hop.

In the cast and crew were three Soldiers with ties to Fort Gordon and the Augusta community.

Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Staff Sgt. Toure Clark, a resident of nearby Batesburg, S.C., performed his signature roller-skating skills during the song, Double Dutch Bus.

Staff Sgt. Clark, who will turn 50 on July 19, created a group of roller skaters called Jamskaters.

"We mentor a lot of youth in Columbia and Augusta," he said.

While not part of the rehearsed show, Clark did an impromptu tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson, who died on June 25. Clark moonwalked on roller skates in Jackson's honor.

One of Clark's favorite audiences is Soldiers. He has set up roller skating shows for his unit at Fort Jackson, S.C. on different occasions. He plans to use an upcoming leave to put on a July 18 show for Soldiers there.

Another crowd favorite was Sgt. Lesun Stewart, who is a petroleum specialist at Fort Lee, Va.

Stewart is a native of nearby Denmark, S.C. His family and friends showed up in large numbers on Saturday. They vocalized their approval throughout his solos.

Behind the scenes was one of Fort Gordon's own.

Pfc. Casandra Lorensen, of the 202 Military Intelligence Battalion, had auditioned for the show as a dancer.

"Everybody has to be able to sing," said Lorensen, who wanted to be part of the experience even if it meant she wasn't on stage.

"It's been a lot of fun," she said. The Soldiers presented two public shows as well as additional performances strictly for Soldiers.