A singer-songwriter is putting on a series of gigs to raise money for poor children feeding from rubbish dumps in developing countries.

East London Advertiser: Melissa JamesMelissa James (Image: Mark Guthrie)

Melissa James first heard about the Small Steps Project when she happened to tune

into a radio programme and heard former celebrity journalist Amy Hanson talk about the charity she set up.

Keen to help in some way, Melissa says she immediately began to think about what she could do and, in time, the concept of Gig in a Gallery was born.

These combine what Melissa normally does as a blues and soul singer and performer with putting on pop-up concerts in art and photographic galleries to raise funds and awareness for SSP.

Melissa’s first concert will take place at The Gallery Café in Bethnal Green on July 24 at 7.30pm.

It will be followed by a concert at Canvas in Wimbledon Village on August 14 and at House in Camberwell on September 12.

There will also be a special multi-artist event at the Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch, on October 30, to be hosted by singer-songwriter and BBC 6Music DJ, Tom Robinson, who recently presented a session by Melissa and her band on his BBC 6Music show. Tom will also perform with Melissa on a song that the two have written together.

Melissa released her debut album, Day Dawns on SlickerSounds last year. Fusing her love of blues, folk, jazz and soul, Melissa’s songs take the listener on mini detours,

often revealing the sometimes raw elements of her innermost thoughts.

Tickets for the Bethnal Green gig costs £6 in advance from http://musicglue.com/giginagallery/

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the charity.