THE Bermuda Folk Club is kicking off its new year tomorrow night with an Open Mic Night.

This year the club is hoping to attract some new faces as well as those who haven't performed in years. The club is also looking forward to attracting different faces to take the stage and enjoy performing, or at least come out and watch.

Budding performers who would like to perform or require more information about the event can contact Marcel Zettler, the event's organiser, at www.folkclub.bm.

I have seen Marcel perform alongside Ben Nunn (aka Ben Jammin') and it was worth the price of admission to see such home-grown talent.

Over the years, the club has served as a venue where local musicians and music buffs can get together and enjoy quality live music. The club is also committed to bringing in overseas talent that comes under the club's umbrella of 'folk music'.

On the local front, the club has been diligently working on a scholarship fund based on the funds raised through the Paul Gibbons Memorial fund-raising activities. In 2004, more than $2,000 had been generated for the fund. Paul was the lead guitarist for the local band Last Rites and his death sent shock waves through the local music fraternity. Every year since his untimely passing the Folk Club has a night in his honour and musicians from all walks of life showcase their talents.

The club has some great plans for this year, including bringing in people from overseas to perform, as they have done in the past. There is an increase in equipment that they use for sound, which should improve the audio quality.

The next Folk Club get-together after tomorrow is March 4, which will be Irish Night. It is always one of the most fun and well-attended nights. Unless you have the 'luck of the Irish', you better get there early as the club's doors open at 7.30 p.m. Showtime is at 8 p.m.

Admission is $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Memberships are $25 for tomorrow night and the Irish Night.