Gospel truth

Harlem choir shares its message of peace, joy and love with Whitefish

Whitefish Theatre Company presents The Harlem Gospel Choir on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

A prestigious African-American vocal group with roots in Harlem's notorious Cotton Club, the now world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir regularly travels the globe sharing the stage with the likes of U2, The Chieftains, Diana Ross and Lyle Lovett, and has performed for Nelson Mandela at Yankee Stadium and Pope Paul II at The Vatican.

Harlem Gospel Choir is foremost a ministry benefiting children's organizations around the world, but their high-energy performances solidly catapult them into the realm of "entertainers." In 2002, the choir traveled about 200,000 miles on the worldwide "God Bless America Tour," launched shortly after September 11, 2001.

The choir was founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey, who got the idea for the choir while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the renowned Cotton Club in Harlem.

The choir has shared their message of love, peace and harmony for many years with thousands of people from various nations, backgrounds, and cultures.

Tickets for the Harlem Gospel Choir are $27, reserved seating. Limited tickets are available.

Call the box office at 862-5371 or stop by the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In addition to the evening concert, a free concert for senior citizens will be offered Wednesday at 3 p.m.