The Progressive Labour Party chairman is predicting a sell-out for the Premier’s fund raising Gala Weekend which begins one week from today.

David Burt said emphatically: “The response has been excellent. We expect it to be sold out.”

Mr. Burt would not say, however, how many tickets constitute a sell out.

Nevertheless, if the chairman’s predictions are true this political fundraiser, the likes of which have never been seen in Bermuda, stands to be a blockbuster financial windfall for the PLP.

The weekend kicks off on January 12 with a Rhythm and Blues Concert headlined by Ginuwine.

Then the following night at the Premier’s Black Tie Ball, Ashford & Simpson will perform.

Local acts are also on the line up for both nights, including Gita Blakeney on Saturday.

The Premier’s Gala Weekend also includes events outside the music scene in a jam packed schedule from Friday through Monday — including golf at the Belmont Hills, lunch with the Premier’s wife Wanda Brown and dinner at the couple’s residence.

Ticket packages go as high as $25,000 for platinum level sponsors. Those are companies or individuals who want ten tickets to both concerts and a pair of tickets to just about everything else.

Supporters from overseas are expected to make up a sizeable portion of the ticket sales.

A local promoter who is familiar with international music talent spoke to The Royal Gazette on the condition he not be named.

According to the promoter’s contacts in the United States, Ashford & Simpson would fetch somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000 for a one-night performance, such as the one being put on by the PLP.

It’s not clear how much the group is being paid, if anything, for their performance on January 13.

Mr. Burt declined to comment.

Sometimes a performer will offer services for free or at a discount if the appearance benefits a cause the artist strongly supports.

Meanwhile, performance fees for Ginuwine can go as high as $50,000 according to a major concert venue executive in the United States.

In his estimation the young R&B artist would fetch higher contract fees than the long standing Ashford & Simpson act.

The Ginuwine Concert is $150 per ticket.

Tickets to see Ashford & Simpson are $500 a piece and include a black tie dinner and dancing.

Both events are at the Fairmont Hamilton and open to the public.

Ginuwine is a native of Washington DC with a ten-year music career. His most popular recordings include ‘Pony’ and ‘In Those Jeans’.

Ashford & Simpson is a group made up of Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson — a married couple in the music business since the 1960s.

They have worked with the likes of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Chaka Khan.

Premier Ewart Brown personally announced news of the musical acts on radio station Hott 107.5 FM earlier this week.

As the PLP’s highest elected official, Premier Brown is expected to play a role promoting the gala weekend in the days leading up to the event.