12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. -- times designed to ensure that those who dine early and later will be able to enjoy them.

As always, HPT have designated a local charity to benefit from the proceeds of ticket sales, and this year their choice is the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation.

In addition to their regular performances, the Ivy League collegiates have offered to do a special benefit at the Harbourfront for those who may be unable to attend the full-length shows, which open at City Hall on March 29.

While diners will pay in the usual way for whatever they order, and there is no charge for the entertainment, it is hoped that they will help to support the work of the Foundation.

"We hope many people will come out and make a donation at the end of their meal as they leave the restaurant,'' said Mr. Joseph Gibbons, President of the Foundation.

For table reservations telephone the Harbourfront at 295-4207. Further information is available from the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation at 295-6882.

Overseas visitors participating in the Bank of Butterfield's Grand Art Festival by the Sea on May 21 will have their own special prize to compete for, thanks to the Department of Tourism and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

The lucky winner in the newly-created overseas visitor category of the Quick Art competition will receive a return ticket for two from Tourism, and a complimentary four-night, five-day stay from the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The local winner in the same competition will receive a comparable travel prize.

Artists in the Quick Art competition have five hours to complete a blank canvas, on which they may draw or paint, while visitors to the Festival can watch them at work.

Several other prizes will also be awarded during the Festival, including a People's Choice award, where the public is the judge.

The Bank of Butterfield, which is sponsoring the Festival, will add $5000 to whatever funds the Festival raises, with the joint proceeds providing a visual arts scholarship for a Bermudian studying Fine Arts overseas.

In addition to the various competitions, the fun-filled event will provide opportunities for mural and sidewalk chalk painting, as well as food stalls, local musicians and dancers.

Meanwhile, entry forms for art exhibitors are now available from Artcetera, Frameworks, Masterworks, and all branches of the Bank of Butterfield. They must be completed by March 31, while the deadline for delivering the art to Masterworks on Front Street is April 28.

The last in the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society's series of staged play-readings takes place tonight and tomorrow night at Daylesford Theatre.

The plot of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, directed by Jacqui Draycott, revolves around a novelist who invites a lady medium into his home in order to learn the language of the occult. During the seance, the writer's first wife is summoned back and makes mischief for her husband and his new wife, who would prefer this blithe spirit to return to the great beyond. Admission is free, and seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Eddie Ming drum show.

Drum impresario Eddie Ming will present a special show on Monday with some of the Island's top musicians in concert.

A strong believer in the combination of music and food, Mr. Ming will offer dinner at his Rhythm Lab in the St. George's Community Centre across from the Bus Depot.

Dinner will be served at 6.30 p.m. sharp. Featured artist is solo percussionist Suzanne Atterby, a student of Mr. Ming's.

An all-star team Ghandi Burgess, Milton Robinson, Stan Gilbert, Lionel Edwards, and Max Maybury have been brought together for the show as Winston DeGraff and Friends, led by the trumpeter.

Power 95 radio jazz host Derrick (CJ) Simons will be the master of ceremonies.

Attendance is free, but guests are asked to make a donation for Mr. Ming's school.

Canvases and Curiosities: No matter what form artistic expression takes, entries in the Grand Art Festival by the Sea's Quick Art competition always attract attention. This year's open-air event on Front Street will take place on May 21.