Musical production will fund college tuition
The Isle of Dreams, a dramatic gospel musical written by Michael O’Hara, will be performed at Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 3200 Washington, at 3 p.m. on Sunday August 12.
O’Hara, the four-time Grammy nominee and two-time American Music Award nominated writer, composer and singer co-wrote this anointed musical gospel play with the renowned Robert White Johnson of Nashville. With Sammy McKinney, Michael co-penned two No. 1 hits for the legendary Anita Baker – “Just Because” and “It’s Been You All The Time.” O’Hara also co-penned with McKinney “Feel So Good” for Spike Lee’s Film Do The Right Thing and wrote songs for Patty LaBelle, Jody Watley and Tramaine Hawkins. As a performer, he has opened for the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Police and Chaka Kahn.
The Isle of Dreams is a powerful two-act musical that follows the life of John the Revelator through the holy scriptures, beginning at the Jordan River with the baptism of Jesus. It chronicles his exile by the Roman government to the Island of Patmos in 95 A.D. and back to Jerusalem.
Washington Tabernacle urges the faithful: “Come and be blessed by this anointed production and witness the revelation that even today, we as a nation are in a time of transition. During times of transition we experience great stress and many revelations come to the surface of things that have been hidden. We hear about the children who are failing but what about the young people who have done what we asked, graduated in the top of their classes and cannot afford to go to college?”
The proceeds of this benefit program will go to deserving students who want to complete their studies in college and who are going to college in the fall but lack the funds to do so.
A free-will offering is appreciated, but $20 requested. Contact Mrs. Marsha Blaine or Ms. Karen Williams at (314)533-5374 for more information.
Benefit for Continuum of Life
The Continuum of Life Care Center, Inc. will hold a community flea market and barbeque to raise funds to assist the homeless and near homeless in the greater East St. Louis area. The event will be held Saturday, August 4 at 9 a.m. in the Continuum of Life Care Center parking lot between 3116 and 3121 State Street in East St. Louis.
The public is invited to donate items for the flea market and the center. Food, clothing, shoes, housing items, bedding and towels are needed for the homeless people and low-income families served by the Continuum of Life Care Center. Items can be dropped off at the Continuum of Life Care Center at 3116 State Street, Suite 1, between the hours of 9 a.m and 2 p.m.
Continuum of Life Care Center, Inc. is a faith-based, charitable agency offering assistance and resources to homeless or near-homeless citizens of East St. Louis and surrounding communities. Continuum of Life provides assistance and support in necessities such as housing, groceries, medicine, employment and training. For more information, call 618-271-2522 and visit www.continuumoflife.org.
Health & Wellness Church Tour
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will present the 4th Annual Health and Wellness Church Tour on Sunday, August 12 at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist, 5515 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. (call 314-367-9700). Service starts at 10:30 a.m. with host pastor the Reverend Michael Jones.
During services, health care professionals will address the
congregation on important health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and prostate cancer prevention. After the services, a free lunch will be provided along with free screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose and blood cholesterol.