Performances benefit Las Vegas area youngsters

Enertainers from around the country and a visual artist will bring an evening of opera, spirituals, cabaret and multi- media art pieces to Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, 2004 Spring Gate Lane, for "In Honor of Children" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14.

Donations are requested for the event that benefits the church youth group and St. Jude's Ranch for Children. For details, call 838-7444.

Performers include Diane Mae Johnson, 1995 Miss Nevada Jennifer Joseph and Susan Haller. Joanne El' Amin is the artist who will display her paintings and sculpture.

Johnson performed with the Goldovsky Opera in New York and spent eight seasons as Mezzo Soprano with the Seattle Opera.

Johnson performs spiritual music throughout the Northwest. She also has sung as primary soloist with symphony orchestras in the Seattle area.

As Miss Nevada, Joseph won the talent award competition in the Miss America contest, and received a standing ovations for her performance in "Showtime at the Apollo" in Harlem.

Joseph was a finalist in 2005 in Wayne Newton's "The Entertainer." on television.

Haller, an original musical comedy writer and entertainer, brings her own unique perspective through music, comedy and the productions.