Exotic dancers, European royalty, designer fashion, international musicians and a trip aboard a luxury yacht now is the time to book your 'Passport to Paradise'.

Tickets for this weekend's gala charity benefit in aid of Project Change Bermuda are selling fast as Islanders seek to experience the cream of fine arts and society.

The hostess for the charity fundraiser is HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, who will be a guest of honour at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, in keeping with her title.

This weekend's events offer something for everyone, with the highlight a gala ball at the Hamilton Princess on Saturday night.

Project Change hopes the Charity Benefit Weekend will assist fundraisers in reaching their goal of $150,000 to carry out the Burundi 2009 Mission.

The charity's founder, reconstructive surgeon Christopher Johnson, is asking the community to help give the gift of life to the African nation.

Burundi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world and its hospitals are destitute of supplies and equipment following a 12-year bloody civil war.

The population of the east African nation is still recovering from the trauma of genocide. As in neighbouring Rwanda, neighbour was set against neighbour as Tutsi and Hutu waged a civil war of barbaric proportions.

Project Change Bermuda now hopes to assist in the reconstruction of the country by pledging to outfit two operating rooms at Roi-Khaled Hospital and Prince Regent Charles Hospital in the capital of Bujumbura.

The two hospitals serve eight million people but neither has the necessary medical equipment to carry out surgery.

Project Change plans to carry out its mission in May and November but needs another $120,000 to fully kit out the operating rooms and pay for the medical teams. At least six doctors, six to eight nurses, and up to five support staff are required.

Items needed range from ventilator machines and generators, to stethoscopes, wheelchairs and stretchers.

This weekend, Dr. Johnson wants the people of Bermuda to think about those less fortunate than themselves.

"We are living in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet and have the opportunity to help people who live in one of the poorest," said Dr. Johnson.

"At this time when the world economy is so bad it is even more important to help people in less fortunate circumstances.

"This weekend is an excellent opportunity to do this and enjoy yourselves at the same time. This is a gala weekend of wonderful events and we will be entertained by international stars while also helping people in Africa.

"I hope people will come out and support us."

Premier Ewart Brown said: "I would like to thank all of those who are supporting Project Change on this important benefit weekend.

"I am proud this fine organisation calls Bermuda home, proof that residents of Bermuda not only care deeply about their next door neighbours, but also about people the world over."

You can help make a difference by attending one of the following events:

FRIDAY:

6 p.m. at City Hall Theatre, Welcome Ceremony and Reception for Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia with Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros and the Town Crier; 7 p.m. Capoeira Luanda 'DanceBrazil' and 'Black Man Rising', with Mistress of Ceremony Lynn Whitfield (Emmy Award and NAACP Image Award-winning actress), tickets $100.

SATURDAY:

10 a.m.-12 noon, from the Hamilton Princess Dock, Luxury Island Tour aboard the Venetian, tickets $200;

1 p.m., City Hall Theatre, 'Black Man Rising' and British violinist Fenella Barton, tickets $50, students $25;

6 p.m.-12 a.m., Passport to Paradise Gala Ball, Hamilton Princess Harborview Ballroom, cocktails, presentation and dinner, followed by dancing to the Melky Jean Project (sister of Wyclef Jean), with Mistress of Ceremony Lynn Whitfield, tickets $250.

SUNDAY:

10 a.m.-1 p.m., Mickey's Bistro, Elbow Beach, Sunday Morning gospel brunch with the Seventh-day Adventist Inspirational Choir, Sia Spence and other local stars, tickets $100;

4.30 p.m., City Hall Theatre, Passport to Paradise Experience: A Fashion Demonstration, tickets $25, $35 on the door, VIP $50.

To purchase tickets, contact International Plastic Surgery Associates on 292-2000 or log onto: www.express.bm. Tickets are also available from the City Hall Box Office between 11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Contact 292-2000 or 535-7682 or e-mail info@projectchangebermuda.org or visit www.projectchangebermuda.org for more information.