Fabulous White House Gala

The White House is bringing in the new millennium with a spectacular gala event featuring diamonds and flame pyrotechnics, a new film by Steven Spielberg, and a concert of great American music.

The show, America's Millennium, will be hosted by Will Smith and produced by Quincy Jones and George Stevens Jr.

America's Millennium will be broadcast on CBS, and Quincy Jones spoke with CBS Early Show Anchor Bryant Gumbel about the making of the show.

Jones, who has composed 33 film scores, won 26 Grammy Awards, produced albums for Michael Jackson, produced The Color Purple, and staged the concert for President Clinton' 1992 Innaugural, among many other achievements, says this show is special.

"There were some big projects, but this is serious," he says.

The family oriented celebration will take place on the Washington Mall beginning at 11:30 p.m. Friday night. Entertainers include, Stomp, Jessye Norman, Bono, Jack Nicholson, Muhammad Ali and Luther Vandross.

Spielberg's 18-minute film, Unfinished Journey, features the highlights of the 20th Century.

"He's been with the family who has been nurturing this for a year and a half," says Jones, speaking about Spielberg.

Over 100,000 people are expected to watch the live entertainment. Jones said he's not worried about terrorism, he's concerned about the elaborate logistics of the show, and he hopes they go planned.

"The President speaks at about 11:59:50," explains Jones. "He lights the long fuse that goes down the Reflecting Pond to the base of the Lincoln Memorial. In 10 seconds it gets down to the Washington Monument. The countdown will be illuminated on the...Washington Monument. Then 10 pyrotechnic cascades will ascend the Washington monument...until it's totally illuminated with a sheet of flame and white diamonds."

"I can safely say this is a once-in-a-millennium effect."

Jones and Stevens consulted with Hillary Rodham Clinton about America's Millennium, "sharing a vision of honoring the past and imagining the future. We have had many, many meetings. Sharing our thoughts and ideas. It has been a...long, beautiful journey."

Jones added his own wish for the new millennium.

"That we walk into the future and leave all the garbage behind. We have to learn to cherish and respect all people."

The White House will also be sponsoring events beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning. They include:

• The opening ceremony featuring the U.S. Marine Band and the New Millennium Choir (100 young people).
  
• Unveiling of the National Millennium Time Capsule. Celebrated creators and leaders were invited to suggest the ideas and artifacts that were included in the time capsule, to show future generations how we lived and what we valued most in our time. The actual time capsule and contents will be exhibited at the National Archives and Records Administration.