For the sixth year in a row, Love Alive Ministries will be hosting Bermuda Sonfest beginning on Thursday August 24 at the Fairmont Southampton Resort and Spa.

In previous years, Bermuda Sonfest has been a one-evening event, but this year it will last three days, ending on Saturday August 26.

The event includes three nightly concerts, hosted by David Mann as ?Mr. Brown? from Tyler Perry?s ?Madea? plays. Concerts will feature such artists as Israel and New Breed, Total Praise, Deitrick Haddon, Chevelle Franklyn and Richard Smallwood and the Smallwood Singers, among others.

During the day, there will be a Pastors and Leadership Luncheon and a New Artists Showcase luncheon, both hosted by Gerard Henry, host of BET?s ?Lift Every Voice.?

A golf tournament will also be held on the Friday.

On Saturday, Love Alive will host an all-morning training institute. Attendees can choose from a variety of courses, including ?How does my prayer life affect my success in the music industry,? under the direction of Elder Veryl Howard of Faith Management Inc., ?How to publish, trademark, collect royalties and select the right style of music for your CD,? taught by Cedric Caldwell, producer and songwriter from Caldwell Plus Productions and singer-songwriter Angie Winans, and ?What is required to secure a distribution deal for your CD, video or book? by Judy Copeland, national sales and purchasing manager for Central South Distribution.

Other speakers for other sessions include Howard Gibson of Pathway Pictures, Bishop Terrance Williams, pastor and founder of From the Word International Ministries and dancer-choreographer Joyce Hayward from Richard Allen AME, among others.

According to Leroy Simmons, director for the event: ?Through the vision of Dr. Ewart Brown, Minister of Tourism, and Andr? Curtis, chairman of the Department of Tourism to establish a new entity in Bermuda of faith-based tourism, we moved to have this as a three-day event to encourage tourists to the island and to provide wholesome entertainment and opportunities for locals.?

Bermuda Sonfest is just one part of a larger vision of the Christian-based production and promotions company, Love Alive Ministries.

?Our vision is to effectively connect, develop and present in excellence performing arts and sports relative to our various cultures, races and generations in a wholesome environment,? said Mr. Simmons.

?Ultimately, our goal is to establish a convention centre that will adequately accommodate the needs of corporate Bermuda, performing arts groups and sports organisations.?

The groups mission is to develop excellence in performing arts and sport through education, promotions and productions that lead to professional opportunities and representation on the global stage, to promote quality entertainment that inspires the entire community by providing wholesome activities that will edify the body, mind and soul, and to develop and merge performing arts and sports through workshops, seminars, provisional materials and presentations.

Planning such an event has not been without its challenges.

?Bermuda needs more wholesome events and opportunities provided for our misguided youth and unsatisfied adults,? Mr. Simmons said.

The difficulty in creating faith-based events is the lack of interest by the corporate community to sponsor such events.

He further explained: ?As an event coordinator for several years, we are concerned with the lack of support from corporate Bermuda.

As responsible corporate citizens, we hope that corporate Bermuda will become more supportive of such events, regardless of the religious base or influence.

?Investments from corporate Bermuda can and will make a difference.

?This and other faith-based events are community orientated, provide a positive environment for all ages and stages of life and help bring people from all spheres of life into their destiny.?

The evening concerts will be held on the hotel beach and cost $65 in advance per night, or $150 for all three nights. Registration for the Kelly Zuill Golf Tournament is $125 (including lunch) and for the Saturday Training Institute is $150 (including lunch). Tickets can be purchased through Love Alive Ministries (236-5656), the Christian Book Store (292-3257), the Heritage Bookstore (292-0638) or online at . Mr. Simmons promises all who attend: ?You will enjoy a good laugh, great music, quality teaching and career opportunities.?