is the season to be jolly and so it will be tomorrow evening on the grounds of Camden during the third annual Masterworks Carolling event.

The Magical Evening of Carolling takes place in the Botanical Gardens under the distinguished patronage of Premier Alex Scott and Mrs. Olga Scott. The festivities last from 5.30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art director Tom Butterfield and curator Elise Outerbridge said the event had gained popularity with families over the years.

?People have been calling us asking us when it is,? Mr. Butterfield said.

?We have had calls of some people saying it is their favourite event of the year. And it is nice to know that in a short period of time it has had that impact.

?Singing and bringing people is always the way to go. We always try for the first Thursday of the month and this year it comes as early as possible. It seems to be a nice way to start the month off and set the spiritual tone, which I think the season should be all about.?

Mrs. Outerbridge said it was never too early as Thanksgiving kicked off the holiday season.

?I think it is a wonderful way to start off the holiday and it gives a great sense to Bermuda Christmastime and the rest of the season.?

There will something there to sate all musical tastes, said Mr. Butterfield.

?It really embodies every kind of choir to be found on the Island ? youth choirs, inspirational choirs, the Salvation Army band ? I think it is terrific.

?East End Prep School is good and Dennis Fox has always been so kind on his time, with the keyboards. We don?t even have to phone him up he just tracks us down.?

Other groups taking part are The Warrenaires, the Southampton Inspirational Choir and Steve Easton. Also between groups there will be audience carolling.

Nell Bassett will also be doing part of the emceeing with Mr. Butterfield.

?She is one of our most enthusiastic supporters and volunteers,? said Mrs. Outerbridge, ?And she has great presence so it will be fun to have Nell on board and to have a female for a change.?

To help raise funds in support of the event they have put together a CD of all the participants. It will be on sale for $10 during the evening.

?Steve Easton of Just Platinum has put together the CD for us and I think there will be about 300 ready for sale that night. We are not going for platinum sales, but we have put together a variety. This will help offset some of the costs of putting this together, because this is done as a community get-together and unfortunately during the year we don?t go out and get sponsors.

?We get some sponsorship with Barritt?s and Burrows and Lightbourn for libations, but other than that there is a donation box, which gets filled up with people?s generosity. But maybe as we get older and more mature we will find sponsorship for it.

?But right now more than anything else it is about bringing people on to the property and bringing the community together for two-and-a-half hours.?

The organisers have had to iron out a few issues from previous years. ?We have found a way to cover over some of the plants so that we can make more room for people in front of the building,? added Mr. Butterfield.

?The other issue was because during the first year we have about 400 people and last year there was about 700 people, sound became an issue. So, we have solved that issue and now have more speakers to have more of a surround sound.?

They will also be providing seating for those who need it.

?We had a call from someone asking if we had chairs available for seniors,? she said, ?So, obviously the word is getting out.

?We have a little bit of traffic control, last year we didn?t realise how many people were going to show up and it was bedlam getting in and out of the Botanical Gardens, but we have addressed that. So, every year we learn a little bit more and because as Tom said we have no funding for it and we don?t charge anything for it ? it just an interesting organic growth.?

Mr. Butterfield added that last year it was a bottleneck because it was in and out of the north gate, but this year it will be in through the north and out through the south gate.

Admission is free and there will be light refreshments available. For more information ( Masterworks on 236-2950.

In the event of inclement weather there will be no rain date and announcements will be made on all radio stations.