Maypole dancing, artisans and storytelling, African dancers and reggae, all feature in a community celebration of Verdmont this weekend.

The free 'Day and Night' party on Saturday to mark the Museum's 50th Anniversary, 'Celebrating Verdmont', takes place from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features an afternoon of cultural traditions, re-enactments, games, artisan craft demonstrations and house tours, followed by an evening open-air concert.

Between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. visitors can enjoy maypole dancing by Somerset Primary School, the percussion of Whitney Drum Line, performances from the Bermuda African Dance Company and Warwick Gombey Troupe, plus storytelling and the living history of Remembering Verdmont. Other attractions include herbal remedies, gardening and beekeeping, bluebird boxes, chair caning, quilting and embroidery, archaeology, genealogy, and a Conversation Porch.

At 5 p.m. people are then invited to bring a blanket and savour the sounds of calypso artist Lord Necktie, the folk of Mike Cacy, the Flightline & Friends jazz, blues and reggae band, plus vocalist Gene Steede and the 'folk, funk and issues' of Djata.

'Celebrating Verdmont' is free but donations are welcome, and food is available in the grounds of the Museum. Verdmont is situated in Collector's Hill, Smith's. Parking is available at Elliot Primary School, Hermitage Road, and there will also be a shuttle service.

For more information, telephone 236-6483.