VietNamNet Bridge – Internationally renowned musical ensemble Pink Martini will visit HCM City early next month for charity concerts on their first ever tour of Asia.

The group, which has a dozen members including co-lead China Forbes and Stoem Large vocalists, was formed in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in the US.

Pink Martini became a global sensation with its first work Sympathique.

US newspaper JazzTimes said the band is "almost universally considered ‘a fantasy of ageless glamor'" while The Times newspaper of Britain hailed it as "one of the world's most elegant live bands".

Pink Martini's Asian tour will take it to Hong Kong, Singapore, HCM City, Shanghai, Seoul, and Honolulu.

Known also for its progressive causes, the band will perform at a gala dinner on April 2 and a live event on April 3 in HCM City, "lending both their talent and charm to raise greater awareness toward underprivileged street children in Viet Nam in supporting Poussieres de vie."

Poussieres de Vie is a non-profit helping Viet Nam's most disadvantaged people through funding and managing a variety of projects in the city and Kon Tum Province.

The dinner at GEM Centre in District 1 will feature fine dining and an auction of Pink Martini's valued items and cost VND35 million (US$1,700) for a table of 10 or VND4 million for one person.

The charity concert will take place at Ben Thanh Theatre also in District 1.

Tickets priced from VND500,000 to VND3 million are available at Poussieres de Vie (5 Truong Quyen Street, District 3), Exotissimo Travel at Sofitel Saigon Plaza Travel Desk, and Exotissimo Travel Agency in District 2.

VNS