East Hampton - Making its first appearance on the East End, the Songs of Solomon, the award-winning inspirational choral youth ensemble based in Harlem, will perform at the Maidstone Club on Saturday, June 6, to benefit the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center. The world-renowned group, created and led by Chantel Renee Wright, herself an award-winning choral conductor from Chicago, has performed all over the United States and in South Africa.

It was at the Gospel Music Workshop of America three years ago that Bonnie Cannon, Executive Director of the Bridgehampton Child Care Center, first heard them. "They blew me away," she says. "I knew right then that some day I'd get them out here."

The high energy group, whose repertoire ranges from gospel and spirituals to jazz and classical music (they sang the Bach Magnificat in D at Carnegie Hall) has performed with such artists as Elton John, Gladys Knight, Earth Wind and Fire and Aretha Franklin.

Chairing the benefit is Congressman Tim Bishop, who served on the board of the Bridgehampton Child Care Center for five years and remains on the Advisory Board. "The programs at the Center play a vital role in the lives of so many of our lower income and immigrant families," he says. "The Center serves what is often an invisible population and I'm grateful to the Maidstone Club for supporting our mission."

The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center was born out of tragedy in 1949 when a house fire killed the untended children of migrant farm workers. The shocked community rallied to found the first, community-based migrant child care center in the country. The Center continues to serve the less fortunate on the East End and offers After-School programs, a low cost summer camp, Youth programs and Adult Development services such as ESL and GED. It also hosts Head Start for preschoolers from as far away as Montauk and Westhampton.

For reservations to hear Songs of Solomon, call 631-537-0616. There will also be cocktails, hors-d'oeuvres and a silent auction from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $150 per person. Seating is limited.