They did back-bends and shimmies with break dancing halts to Michael Jackson's "Heal the World."

In a musical showing of regional solidarity and national goodwill, 19 performing arts groups from countywide public schools sang, danced and played instruments Saturday, raising $2,500 for the Prince George's County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The United We Stand benefit, hosted by Northwestern High School, and produced by Colours Performing Arts program, drew a crowd of about 400.

Performers included choirs, bands and dance groups from county middle and high schools and the University of Maryland.

Parents of performers filled the audience and enjoyed watching their children participate in such a broad-based event for such a laudable cause.

Karen Dixon, mother of Colours performer JaLisa Dixon, 11, liked the patriotism in the program.

"The show's really inspirational," she said. "It just makes [the children] proud for them to be able to express their love for the country."

Janie Cooper, whose daughter is a flute player in the Suitland High School band, also liked the cross-county solidarity.

"I think it's a really good idea ... for the students to come out for a common event," she said, adding that the range of performances reflected the county's diversity.

But some were also there for the sheer quality of the performances.

John Bois, a biology teacher at Northwestern, came to see the school's jazz band. "The music

program here is the best in the state," he said.

Northwestern Vice Principal Virginia de Los Santos was pleased the auditorium was filled for a positive event.

"It's wonderful to see the community use the new facility this way," she said. "This is it. This is what we hoped."

Hyattsville Police Cpl. Michael Rudinski, who has worked as Northwestern's school resource officer for three years, was providing security Saturday evening.

He said the program gives the students an opportunity to display hidden talents, and likes that one of Colours mottoes is peace.

"We need more of that in society, don't we?" he said.

Most students seemed glad to give their time for a good cause, and enjoyed watching other school groups perform.

Benjamin Stoddert Middle School Choir members were thrilled to be at Northwestern High School, and remarked on the big auditorium.

Stoddert singer Lakisha Barron, 12, however, conceded that it was a little bit intimidating to sing in front of high school students.

"We feel like we're smaller than them and they'll, like, be judging us and stuff," she said.

Rebecca Welch, 16, and a junior at Holy Cross High School, is a member of the Colours program. Her favorite group to watch was the University of Maryland a cappella group, Faux Pas.

"They made all the instruments and the drums with their mouths," she said in amazement.

Colours Director Jason Cook was pleased with how everything worked out. He hopes to make the benefit a yearly program, and wants to extend it eventually to a full weekend of arts performances.

"This is really the first time the auditorium has been used for an arts event," he said.

He said he learned a lot about working with directors and arts groups that will make next year's event easier.

For now he's resting ­ as much as he can. Last week his wife gave birth to their first daughter and the show happened on Saturday, he said, and "now this week, there's a baby and Thanksgiving."

E-mail Julia Oliver at joliver@gazette.net.