The organisers of the Bermuda One Love Concert Series say their aim is to promote peace and unity through the arts.

Eugene Dean, managing director of Startime Productions, and Glenn Doers, general manager of Spanish Town, have come together to provide the entire production of the 2006 Concert Series.

The Bermuda One Love Concert Series is a community programme, said Mr. Dean.

"The theme is unity in the community with world vibes.

"We are looking to do things in the entertainment industry to build and develop music, culture and the arts, which is something that is very dear to people's hearts all around the world.

"It is something that provides motivation and inspiration ? something that lifts people's spirits."

In recognising the above they thought to go into this arena as it touches all elements of the community.

"We all love entertainment and with the growth you can start to motivate and mobilise, and develop a lot of areas in the community that are socially challenged," he added.

"There are a lot of elements out there that require reform and our society has been at odds and the youth for example have been a major issue in the media.

"But we found success in developing people according to their interests and that when we do things in the interest of people they come on board and they take on a whole different behaviour with a whole new approach to life."

They are seeking to do this first by entertainment; they say at the moment potentially eight or ten events have been scheduled for this year.

"This is the first time that anyone has embarked upon a concert series and having this affords us to have a sustained presence in the industry.

"At the moment there is no real governing body that sets the standards, so it gives us an opportunity to actively bring those elements to the table by setting and attaining high standards ourselves. So we are raising the bar in terms of entertainment."

On the Spanish Town front that provides the sound quality, he said: "People have been crying out for quality sound, presentation of the stage, quality of the performing artists, live bands, environment and the actual artist turning up.

"There have been several things that have led to the demise of the industry and the quality or lack of quality in the productions plays a key element in that ? in addition to violence. Town and country and all of that and there has been another huge divide."

He also noted that another huge divide in the community is between young and old.

"The more mature crowds have shied away from the concert arena because of a lot of things that we just mentioned, but our goal is to bring them back by instilling confidence in them that not only will they enjoy the concert, they will also enjoy the production that they see. That is one of our main thrusts and that is how we have sought to get involved to affect change."

They also have educational components running alongside the concert series.

"Some of the artists that we are bringing down have agreed to do workshops, seminars and have discussions with local artists while they are here," he said. "We are basically looking to build a bridge. With this concert series we are mainly dealing with reggae artists and Jamaica's entertainment industry is far more developed than ours and by bringing the artists here allows them the opportunity to collaborate with them.

"We did something small with Charlie Chaplain and U-Roy. Steve Easton made his studio available and they did some dub plates together with the artists and it was very positive and those are the things that inspire hope in our upcoming entertainers.

"Charlie Chaplain and U-Roy were really impressed with the quality that our entertainers were bringing to the table and for them to endorse the local artists ? it means the world to them.

"It is invaluable and Jamaican entertainers in many cases are afforded that because they are surrounded by other artists."

Another addition to the concert series in a band, rather than artistes singing to tracks.

"That band backed some of the international acts as well as the local artists and all of them enjoyed having the opportunity of having a professional band backing them.

"We underwrote the whole cost of keeping them here for the two weeks and paying for the rehearsal time and so forth.

"We wanted it to benefit the artists.

"We are looking to provide the same opportunities to the local musicians and we are going to bring that band back to do workshops with the local musicians so that one day we can have local backing bands right here.

"So that all we need to do is bring in the artist."

The third concert in the series was an old school dance hall and the local acts were on stage right up until 3 o'clock.

"The international acts were calling to local acts up on stage during their performance.

The group is also looking at other ways of working with young people.

"We are looking to get them involved in staging and lighting, understanding how to erect and maintain the tent, we also have a fencing system, filming and audio recording," he said.

They also have a volunteer team that works on the gate, back stage, co-ordinating all the vendors and with venue design.

"In the beginning people were looking to volunteer with promotion and anyone who is interested in being involved in the concert series can come and get involved.

"This is all being done under our charity The Menelik Foundation."

All the concerts and dances, bar one, take or took place under the mega tent in Clearwater.

"Before this," said Mr. Dean, "You could watch all of your profits wash away."

The next in the concert series is Morgan Heritage, who will be playing on July 8.

"Morgan Heritage started in the late 90s and their music has really transformed," he said, "And they have been embraced both by the US and Europe and they have been invited on rock tours as the only non rock group.

"All of that has had an influence on their music. They have songs on a lot of the up to date rhythms. So it is a nice fusion and a family vibe.

"You feel the connection between them when they are on stage or when you listen to their music.

"We are looking forward to that concert because it means family and one love.

"Morgan Heritage is a family event and it is a family that we are bringing so come out and enjoy it."

The group will then be leaving the Clearwater venue when they do Splash Out at Horseshoe Bay Beach.

"We have chosen that weekend because traditionally that is the weekend when all the college kids go back to school.

"This time we will be featuring the international act Voice Mail.

"There is also Cup Match extravaganza and it will feature local and international acts and then we will have Culture Fest, which was started in the 70s and it became a national event in 93 and ran until 96.

"At that time Jazz Scape/Fest ? now the Music Festival ? and it is a celebration of all the cultures in Bermuda by music, entertainment and food.

"We have the African Village, Asian Village and so on. We will run right into 2007 and we have acts like Sean Paul, Capleton, Beres Hammond and we have them lined up for 2007."

For more information on the concert series telephone 292-4341.