SS United States
Gala 68 Variety Show
Friday, July 3, 2020
7 PM (EST) / 4 PM (PST)
In celebration of the 68th anniversary of the SS United States’ maiden voyage on July 3, 1952
First-Ever “Virtual Gala” for SS United States Conservancy recreates style
of 1950s-era “Colgate Comedy Hour” as filmed aboard SS United States
Celebrity Video Salutes from Dolly Parton, Kate Burton, and Mercedes Ellington
Special Guest Performances feature Klea Blackhurst and a Rendition of
the SS United States theme song: “First Lady of the Sea”
Featured Guests include Glenn Farrington from The Magic Castle,
Akira Sky singer-songwriter & star of DreamWorksTV’s “Junk Drawer Magic”
and Nita Whitaker and her daughters Skye & Liisi LaFontaine
Conservancy West Coast Chapter Co-Chairs Mark Perry & David Perry Host
with Susan Gibbs, Conservancy President and Granddaughter of
SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs
Beyond Pix Studios of San Francisco Produces Online Event
On the anniversary of her record-breaking maiden voyage, “America’s Flagship” the SS United States will again serve as a powerful, unifying symbol of American triumph over adversity. On July 3, 2020 (4pm PST / 7pm EST), the nonprofit SS United States Conservancy’s West Coast Chapter (www.ssusc.org) will host its first “virtual gala” in the style of the 1950s classic “Colgate Comedy Hour” variety show, once filmed aboard SS United States. The online gala will be available on the Conservancy’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoSSUSC .
This exciting digital event will feature celebrity appearances by country music legend Dolly Parton and actress Kate Burton (daughter of SS United States one-time passenger Richard Burton), Mercedes Ellington (granddaughter of jazz icon Duke Ellington who once performed aboard the ship), singer-songwriter Akira Sky, singers Nita Whitaker and her daughters Skye and Liisi LaFontaine, a performance of the ship’s rarely performed theme song “First Lady of the Sea” by cabaret sensation Klea Blackhurst, and feats of magic from Glenn Farrington of Magic Castle fame. Donating technical support and sponsorship for the event is Beyond Pix Studios, an internationally recognized leader in broadcast services, headquartered in San Francisco.