Bali, Capri, Cozumel, Hawaii, and Jamaica probably sound mighty nice right now since summer is quickly ending.

But as tantalising as they may be, getting there is another story -- but that does not have to stop you devouring the foods.

Suckling pig with mango salsa, curried banana soup, beef and chicken satay, and Bermuda's codfish cakes are just a few of the items in store at Islands in the Sun -- a celebration of islands of the world and charity benefit in support of Bermuda's art groups.

At Government House on Saturday, October 19 you can pack that black tie and ball gown away because this affair requires smart and bright casual wear and maybe a pair of sun glasses for the bright decor.

Chefs from several of Bermuda's hotels will be whipping up entre mes and desserts representing the islands including Bermuda and Mauritius.

Chairman of the food and beverage section of the organising committee Louise Mellor said the idea for the evening stemmed from Lady Waddington, who wanted to get four of the arts charities together to have one big, large fund raiser.

"We wanted to have a great big splash and get all the different Islands together in the process,'' Mrs. Mellor said. "Various hotels have donated their chefs to cook for these Islands and lots of private companies, supermarkets have given donations of local foods for the ingredients for the dishes.

"We are having various entertainment from discos and gombey dancers and limbo dancers. And we have a super raffle with wonderful paintings donated by different artists in Bermuda.'' Mrs. Mellor also said that Curious Cook Edward Bottone was instrumental in coming up with the island theme and recipes.

Organiser of the event Jane West said: "The food is going to be absolutely fabulous and it's really going to concentrate on the island theme.'' She added: "In order to do something different we have a totally different menu and venue like most artists this is an off the wall presentation.

"Even the soft drinks are different don't come expecting to have Amstel light and a glass of white wine -- come for margaritas, Singapore slings, and mango ice tea.'' Mrs. West also said also said the menu offers dishes like everyone's favourite jerk chicken, surprises from Mexico.

And from Hawaii there will be things like suckling pig. "Don't come expecting roast lamb, two vegetables and jacket potatoes,'' Mrs. West advised.

Included on the men are "out old time Bermuda favourites like peas n' rice, cod fish cakes and fish chowder''.

Mrs. West explained that there will be food stations representing different island which guests can enjoy through the night.

"There are all kinds of desserts from the islands and it is probably a good idea not to be on a diet that day,'' Mrs. West said. She added: "We have received a generous donation from a member of the retailing establishment who will provide the island atmosphere, and our art community are getting together to create something phantasmagoric.

"Watch out for wild animals and you might want to wear sunglasses. We also hope people will wear island dress the more colourful the better -- dress cool and casual.'' But, Mrs. West warned: "You don't want to make it too long because you don't want to trip doing the limbo with the "How Low can you Go'' limbo show.

"And to work off all those calories you can join the Gombeys and dance to Island DJ Allan Young.'' She added that there are about 50 young volunteers who will serve food and drink and probably "teach us the new dances''.

Asked about the idea for the evening Mrs. West said: "The committee talked about what we should do and we thought that people loved to be surprised.

There is nothing more fun than going into the unexpected and being wined and dined in a new way.

"When you come to Islands in the Sun you will really get something for your charitable dollar,'' adding: "We all like to contribute but it is a little less painless when you are having fun.''