RICHARD AND KAREN CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TOP OF THE WORLD 2 EVENT
Jenny Sinclair had the great honor of being invited over to the U.S.A. for the "Top of the World 2" Event where she met Richard Carpenter.
Report of the evening by Jenny Sinclair The Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach California is a beautiful building and inside the stage was transformed into an intimate cabaret for the second annual Top of the World Fundraiser. Richard Carpenter headlined the evening's show and what a truly wonderful evening it was! Mike and I received a very kind invitation to attend this most memorable event. At the beginning of the evening there was a lobby reception with beautiful piano playing by Ralph Brunson during a silent auction, followed by dinner on the stage, a live auction and then a performance by Richard Carpenter and Friends. Mr Carpenter began by playing the piano and singing the classic "Yesterday Once More" followed by one of Karen's favourite songs "I Know I Need to be in Love" It was so wonderful that Mike and I were able to be there for such a special moment, watching Richard Carpenter perform was most certainly a dream come true. We were also treated to performances by Mr. Carpenters children, Colin Carpenter and Traci Carpenter. They were both most impressive to watch and you could see before your very eyes future stars in the making. To Close the show Richard Carpenter performed another great classic tune "Top of the World" ! in which all of us in the audience were invited to sing along with him. Towards the end of the evening Mr. Carpenter kindly signed autographs and had pictures taken with people from his audience. I was thrilled at having the opportunity to meet him and to talk with him about his beloved sister Karen and to tell him about the tribute show that me and "Carpenters Magic" perform back here in England. I had a number of photo's taken with Mr.Carpenter, he very kindly autographed my single of "Top of the World" and I left him with a copy of my "Carpenters Tribute demo CD" So in all, a FABULOUS evening! Full of beautiful memories that will stay with me and Mike always. WITH VERY SPECIAL THANKS TOO :- Ron and Julie Zurek for making our trip so very special and memorable Joe Patrella and Sandy for being the perfect hosts on our table at "Top of the world2" White Ash For also taking some fantastic pictures from "Top of the world2" |