
Connie Francis, ‘Pretty Little Baby' singer, dead at 87

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CBS News
28 minutes ago
- CBS News
Gospel karaoke brings community and praise to Camden, New Jersey streets
It's not your typical karaoke night—there's no pop hits or rock ballads. Instead, the sound is all praise and worship, and the spirit is just as electric as any concert. In Camden, New Jersey, the growing monthly event is reimagining karaoke with a faith-filled twist, and people are taking notice. What started as a social media post is now a movement. The "Voices of Hope Open Mic" has grown to more than 10,000 followers in under a year. At the heart of it all is youth leader Charles Giddins III, who launched the event with one mission in mind: to create a safe space for Christians to gather, worship, and express themselves outside of church walls. "There's obviously a need in this space," Giddins said. Held at Victory Temple Community Church, where his father pastors and his mother serves as first lady, Giddins grew up surrounded by ministry and music. In fact, he was holding a microphone before he could even walk. Now, every fourth Friday, he channels that same early passion into hosting Voices of Hope Open Mic—an event that invites creatives to recite poetry, share testimony, and pass the mic for gospel classics. From seasoned vocalists to first-time singers, everyone is welcome. "It's no judgment," said Giddins. "You can get up there and sing—we're going to clap for you, say 'God bless you,' and we might even help you sing as a group." But it doesn't stop at the church doors. As interest grew, Giddins started taking the event outside—literally. He began shutting down a corner of North 2nd Street to bring gospel karaoke to the streets of Camden. "Going into local neighborhoods and showing what it is to be righteous in Christ—and still relatable," he said. Whether you're a believer or just looking for community, the open mic is a place where spirit meets soul and voices rise in unity. "See what God is doing in our communities… and in our lives," Giddins shared. Voices of Hope Open Mic is held on the last Friday of every month in Camden. It's a ticketed event, and seats go fast—proof that this unique blend of music and ministry is something the community didn't even know it needed.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Selena Gomez Celebrates 33rd Birthday with Launch of Rare Impact Fund's Giving Circle (Exclusive)
Selena Gomez is continuing to make an impact as she celebrates another year around the sun. On July 22 the Only Murders in the Building star — who turned 33 on Tuesday — marked the launch of the Rare Impact Fund's Giving Circle (in partnership with Dollar Donation Club), which was "built to democratize giving and foster purpose-driven community," according to a release. Starting at $1 a month, members can receive monthly updates from the Fund's nonprofit partners, curated mental health content and ways to engage with the Rare Impact Fund community, adds the release. "When we started the Rare Impact Fund, we wanted to build a community that could make a real difference," Gomez — who founded Rare Beauty in 2020 — tells PEOPLE exclusively in a statement. "Five years in, I'm so proud of the impact we've all made together and excited for The Giving Circle and other initiatives we are planning.' The Rare Impact Fund recently hosted its first-ever global Grantee Capacity Building Workshop, bringing together nonprofit partners for hands-on programming focused on storytelling, fundraising and more. According to Rare Beauty, the Rare Impact Fund has mobilized over $20 million and supported 30 nonprofit organizations across five continents since its inception, reaching more than 2.2 million young people annually. Last year on World Mental Health Day, Gomez opened up to PEOPLE about advocating for increased access to mental health services and education around the world for young people. "We created the Rare Impact Fund before we created a single product, and it's so rewarding to see it being a resource for people when they actually come to our community and seek help," she said. "I'm just really grateful. This is why I do it." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jamie Lee Curtis Decries Stephen Colbert Cancellation
Hot off another Emmy nomination for 'The Bear' and looking ahead to her upcoming Disney sequel, 'Freakier Friday,' Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis is set to make her first ever-appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' But, she will be among the show's last guests. The series is set to end in 2026, a decision that Curtis now calls 'awful.' 'It's bad,' Curtis told Variety of being interviewed by Colbert. 'I'm excited that I will get to be on his show in about two weeks. I've never been on his show. I really like him. He's smart and funny and a lovely human.' More from IndieWire This Year's Venice Lineup Looks a Lot Different Than Last Year's Adobe Firefly Now Lets You Sculpt Sound Effects with Your Own Voice Curtis is not the first star to voice her disappointment in the 'Late Show' ending. Ben Stiller wrote on X that CBS was axing 'one of the best shows they have,' while Adam Scott was even more blunt, saying 'This is absolute bullshit and I for one am looking forward to the next 10 months of shows.' Colbert's late night rival Jimmy Kimmel also wrote on an Instagram story, 'Love you, Stephen. Fuck you and all your Sheldons, CBS.' Speaking with NPR, Curtis expanded on her thoughts on the slew of politically-backed cancellations. 'They just cut NPR and, you know, public broadcasting — yes, they're trying to silence people, but that won't work. Won't work. We will just get louder,' she said. For more on 'The Late Show' cancellation, check out IndieWire's reporting and this think piece from our own Ben Travers. Curtis, meanwhile, is enjoying the string of successes in her career. Speaking with Variety about her role in 'The Bear,' she said, 'It's a beautiful show and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. I love it. I'm a fan of the show. I was a fan from the beginning and so I just love the stories they tell and the characters they create.' As for the forthcoming 'Freakier Friday,' out on August 8, she described it as 'a movie for today.' 'It is a happy, nostalgic, funny, sweet, heartfelt, Disney movie right at the end of the summer,' Curtis continued. 'There haven't been a lot of movies for women, and this is a love letter to every mother, grandma, sister, cousin and daughter.' Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See Solve the daily Crossword