World Hunger Day: All-star concert

Artists Dionne Warwick Natalie Cole Elaine Paige, Mica Paris and a host of other top names will join The Hunger Project to promote World Hunger Day in a massive awareness raising campaign concert this Sunday.

World Hunger Day will help to highlight the fact that a sixth of the world’s population (a billion people) exist on less than a US$1.25 a day and that 20,000 people die every day from hunger and poverty.

Ninety percent of of the World's poorest die from chronic persistent hunger (In comparison to 10% who die as a result of famine or from high profile emergency crises).

The Hunger Project supporter of World Hunger Day are hosting a star studded gala concert to celebrate the achievements of millions of people who are already ending their own hunger and meeting their basic needs.

Lesley Reader of The Hunger Project says, “This fabulous event sees hugely-talented artists, with the legendary Dionne and friends at the helm, all coming together for one amazing purpose.

“This is the very first World Hunger Day and the evening is appropriately enough filled with extraordinary firsts. Dionne will duet with the sensational  Mica Paris, who joins her for a live version of Dionne's first-ever hit record, the Bacharach & David classic Don’t Make Me Over. Dionne will also duet for the first time live with the first lady of musical theatre, Elaine Paige on Thank You For Being A Friend

Dionne and Natalie Cole, with no fewer than 16 Grammy Awards between them, will also be singing together on another Grammy-winning song – Déjà Vu”.

The huge list of international entertainers include opera singer,Simon Keenlyside, 'Carousel'; Royal Ballet Principal Steven McRae, Southbank Sinfonia,  the London Community Gospel Choir, Wicked’s witches Rachel Tucker & Louise Dearman plus jazz singer Jumoké Fashola and singer/songwiter David Elliott.

A World Hunger Day central London Briefing to be held on the afternoon of the concert will feature inspiring individuals from The Hunger Project in Benin, India and Mexico sharing their experiences.

The Hunger Project states that its aim is to help people to lead lives of self-reliance; to meet their own basic needs and build better futures for their  children.

World Hunger Day, Sunday, January 9th 2011, at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London. There is a 2 for 1 ticket offer currently available by  quoting the special promotion code: 'hunger'. 

Winsome-Grace Cornish