Contemporary music, including rap, is now part of “Up With People.”

In the 1960s, they were clean-cut, conservative, teen-age and Anglo--an answer to the bearded and beaded hippies of the era.

Navy blue blazers and khaki slacks for the boys and pastel jumpers for the girls were the uniforms for the “Up With People” cast. If they moved at all, it was to clap their hands, or to sit down.

Their songs were similarly conservative: “Freedom isn’t free. You gotta pay the price. You gotta sacrifice for your liberty. . . . “

But times have changed, and so has “Up With People.” You can see, and hear, for yourself in Duarte on Sunday and Monday nights, when 110 of the group’s youthful entertainers will take the stage at the Duarte Performing Arts Center.

“It is real exciting, dynamic, contemporary family entertainment,” said Bruce Erley, a spokesman for the Tucson-based nonprofit organization. “We’re living in the MTV generation, and the show has to compete in technical appearance and content.”

Backed by a $2-million, state-of-the-art production, the newest show, “Rhythm of the World,” is multicultural. The entertainers--one of five casts touring internationally--range in

age from 18 to 26 and come from 21 countries.

“They don’t all wear the same thing anymore,” Erley said of the group’s newest generation. “We tried to get away from the cookie-cutter look. Out of a cast of 110, no more than three outfits are alike.”

Some wear native costumes and spotlight their homelands in song and dance. Others perform rock, rap and children’s songs. Still others interpret their own compositions on the environment, gangs and unity.

The purpose is still the same: to provide a voice for young people and an opportunity for personal growth.

The local appearance is sponsored by the city of Duarte, The Duartean newspaper, the local Kiwanis Club and the Duarte Unified School District. Proceeds will benefit the Duarte Key Club and the Buena Vista Foundation.

Performances are at 7:30 both nights. Tickets--$10, and $7 for seniors and students--are on sale at the Duarte Public Safety Office, Columbia Bowl, Farr’s Stationers, Monrovia Beauty Supply, Arcadia Kinko’s Copies and Arcadia Dance Arts. They will also be sold the night of the performance at the center, 1401 Highland Ave.