A full moon, champagne, music, theatre, a personal picnic basket, and an idyllic garden setting ? these are just some of the ingredients for a unique event, the proceeds of which will benefit the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard (BACD) and the Bermuda Society of Arts.

Entitled 'Soir sur l'Herbe' (literal translation 'Evening on the Grass'), the fund-raiser will take place on July 2 in the spacious grounds of 'Aberfeldy', the home of BACD chairman, J.C. (Kit) Astwood, and Mrs. Astwood, in Somerset.

The evening will begin with a champagne reception to the sounds of the Daylesford Quartet (Tommy Ray, Douglas Frith, Peter Profit and Stan Gilbert), following which guests will tuck in to individually-prepared picnic baskets containing sumptuous fare. During dinner they will be serenaded by a trio of professional musicians (Kate Ross, Nick Curror and Sarah Danby).

A special marquee will function as a "theatre" for the presentation of act two of George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion', directed by Annette Hallett, and featuring Shell Udoh, Eugene de Rosa, Chris Morrison, Brian Webb and Jo Shane; and the one-act play, 'Here We Are' by Dorothy Parker, featuring Ashley Rockwood and Eugene de Rosa. The interval between the two pieces will be filled by Deborah Raat singing, accompanied by James Burn on piano.

Dessert will be followed by dancing under the stars to DJ John Powell's Razzle Dazzle disco.

Original oil paintings by professional Bermuda artists are among the many items to be sold through silent auction. Dress is black tie/elegant but casual. Jackets are not required.

Tickets ($150) are available from the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard and the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society headquarters (Daylesford) on the corner of Washington/Dundonald Streets in Hamilton after 5.30 p.m., or on line at www.bmds.bm For further information 234-1661.