Photo Flash: Carol Channing at Altadena Community Church 9/6

Carol, while attending the morning services was presented with a special poem entitled "Our Superstar Angel" by Jack Walton and a handmade quilt depicting sun flowers (Carol's favorite flower) made by Sharon Roberts of the Prayers and Squares group at ACC.

Among those friends and colleagues present for the concert were Channing Chase ("Mad Men"), Romi Dames ("Hannah Montanna"), Kate Linder ("The Young & The Restless"), Rose Marie ("The Dick Van Dyke Show") and comedian Rip Taylor. The program entitled Gospel & Glee, under the musical direction of Wendy Caldwell, featured many songs from Miss Channing's upcoming gospel CD release called "For Heaven Sake," some of which were sung with the Altadena Community Church Choir, duets with Miss Wendy Caldwell and one very touching moment with children from the audience on stage.  The CD includes songs she came to know and love as a child. Old spirituals that her beloved father taught her that he had learned from his family in Georgia. "Whenever I toured the country during HELLO, DOLLY!, especially in the Bible belt, I was surprised to see how many of these tunes were known and loved by the people." Produced by Larry Ferguson and John Wyatt, the CD will be released on Sept 18th by Daywind Records in association with Ferguson Music with major distribution in both secular and Christian retail through New Day and Word Entertainment Association a Warner Brothers Company.

The evening also allowed Carol and her husband, Harry Kullijian, the dual opportunity to not only help the church "Raise The Roof" but also raise awareness for The Dr. Channing/Kullijian Foundation for the Arts (http://www.ChanningArts.org), a organization they founded to promote the need to restore Arts in Education throughout California. They will be going nation wide next year in Nashville with the help of the national PTA, who are adopting the need for Arts in the schools system
as a theme next year.

Carol Channing is the recipient of three Tony Awards (including one for lifetime achievement), a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. Channing is best remembered for originating on Broadway the musical-comedy roles of bombshell Lorelei Lee in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, and matchmaking widow Dolly Gallagher Levi in HELLO, DOLLY!

She is world renowned for her voice which is at once raspy, basso and caressing, her eyes as big as saucers, her wide smile, and the slightly other-worldly, childlike enthusiasm which informs her star presence. Her distinctive voice and persona are frequently parodied.

Altadena Community Church (http://www.altadenaucc.org) is an Open and Affirming congregation that welcomes all of God's Children. "We strive to engage people through our wonderful music ministry, and our sanctuary's special acoustics provide a marvelous performance space for various community choirs and musicians," says Pastor Joe McGowan.  Adding, "We promote our commitment to our children by focusing attention on developing youth programs."

Miss Channing was proud to announce that she will be returning to the Los Angeles Area on Oct 11th with another evening entitled Broadway Voices For Arts in Education at UCLA's Royce Hall. Kim Rhodes ("The Suite Life of Zach and Cody") will Host this event as a number of celebrated Broadway veterans including Joyce Aimee, Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, Jason Graae, Ilene Graff, Sam Harris, as well as students from Creative Planet School of the Arts (http://www.cpsoa.org) will be joining Carol Channing as they gather together for a one night only event at UCLA's Royce Hall for the purpose of raising money and awareness with regard to the need for arts in the public school system. Exposure to the arts in school, builds self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. And, ultimately these things create better, safer schools for our children. "You and I don't need to save the arts. We need to help the arts save our children," says Miss Channing. (See their all star PSA at Carol Channing & Friends for the Arts - ChanningArts.org  or here.

Photo Credit: GOR MEGAERA