Dionne Warwick & (what!) friends celebrate World Hunger Day in the Royal Albert Hall

Music icon Dionne Warwick returns to the Royal Albert Hall to lead an all-star lineup including Cliff Richard, Alexandra Burke, Boy George, Caro Emerald, Tony Hadley, Joe McElderry, Katie Melua, Mica Paris, Rumer and The London Community Gospel Choir. The gala is in aid of international development charity, The Hunger Project.

In celebration of World Hunger Day 2012, and as major highlight of her 50th Anniversary World Tour, Warwick and her friends will perform duets and solo performances of songs that have become part of the soundtrack to all our lives. It will include the instantly recognisable collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Barry Manilow and The Bee Gees. It will also be the first opportunity for UK audiences to hear songs from her latest album Only Trust Your Heart, a celebration of the music of Sammy Chan.

The Royal Ballet's Gary Avis is one of many artists who collaborate with The Hunger Project, and on the Royal Opera House's website he states,

I've been a patron of The Hunger Project for two very exciting years, last year creating The Royal Ballet's Gary Avis and Friends gala which raised £50,000 raised for the charity's valuable work. As we approach this year's World Hunger Day on May 28th, it's all hands on deck for our tiny UK staff of two and all volunteer patrons, ambassadors and trustees. I very much hope to see you there!

World Hun­ger Day 2012 takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 28th May 2012. Tick­ets are on sale online or by tele­phone on 020 7589 8212 – Ticket prices range from £20 to £125.00.

Fol­low The Hun­ger Pro­ject on Twit­ter @worldhungerday @hungerprojectuk or on Face­book.

Photo: Alexandra Burke

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.