By Adeline Chia

THE economic downturn did little to dampen the spirit of giving at the President's Star Charity show, which raised $5.04 million this year, a slight drop from last year's total of $5.4 million.

The theme of last night's show was Singapore Cabaret, a jazzy trip down memory lane hosted by actors Adrian Pang and Michelle Chia.

Popular stars from the 1960s flew into town to perform, including 1960s local pop sensation Veronica Young, 60, who lives in France, and Dutch singer Anneke Gronloh, 66, whose Malay songs captivated audiences here and in Malaysia in that era.