Charity art show tonight

Artist Trevor Todd (Cosmic Consciousness) is opening a charity art show of his work this evening between 5.09 p.m. and 7.09 p.m. at Colonial Insurance Co. Ltd., 33-35 Reid Street. The show ends on Friday, January 9, 2009, and the beneficiaries of sales are PALS, the Masterworks Foundation, and Orchid Charity.

Caisey Family fundraiser for The Unit

Get 'em while they're hot! Tickets ($40 including refreshments) for the Caisey Family Productions show, "Celebration of the '60s, '70s and '80s', on December 21 at the Berkeley Institute cafetorium are now on sale at Kit 'n' Caboodle, and the iStore at 46 Reid Street. The event is a fund-raiser for The Unit, voted Bermuda's number one jazz band this year, who will be representing Bermuda at the Cuba Jazz Festival in February, 2009.

Doors will open at 3.30 p.m., and the concert will begin at 4 p.m. sharp. All proceeds will go to The Unit, so the public is being urged to give what promises to be a memorable event its full support.

The Caisey Family Band includes some of Bermuda's best musicians: Tony Dill, Lionel Edwards, John Lee, Dennis Moniz, Mike Payne, Derek Simmons, Andwele Simons and Michael Williams.

Albert, Clinton, June, Phiemma and Taur Caisey, Terri Burgess, Bethanne Thomas and Zion are the vocalists, while Wires, Dwayne Cox, Wayne Augustus, Mackeba Santucci, Keizia Caisey, Hannah Eggen and Vicky Camara are the dancers.

Caisey Family Productions is dedicated to producing shows, not only to keep entertainment alive, but to assist financially the needs of others.

It held its first show in 2000, and has been doing so each year since. Beneficiaries have included those requiring assistance with medical treatment or equipment, senior citizens, support groups and others.

The name Caisey is well-known on the local entertainment scene, and entertainment is in their genes. Members of the 'clan' include singers, dancers, and actoars.

Menuhin student orchestras Christmas concert

Members of the Menuhin Foundation student orchestras will be combining their talents to present a festive Christmas concert at St. John's church, Pembroke on Monday, December 8 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors and students.

The Menuhin Foundation, a registered charity, was formed in January 1976 and named after the world-renowned violinist, (the late) Lord Yehudi Menuhin. Through the commitment and dedication of its board of trustees, teachers and patrons, the Foundation has made music lessons accessible to thousands of Bermuda's children.

The Foundation offers a range of different programmes, including the schools' programme, which offers free group tuition to all of Bermuda's primary schools; the private tuition programme; the Saturday music centre (involving the First, Junior and Youth Orchestras), and music, aural and theory classes.

For further information on The Menuhin Foundation, or if you wish to support its work by donation or becoming a patron, please visit website www.menuhin.bm

Exhibition bonanza at Bermuda Society of Arts

Tonight marks the opening of not one but five new exhibitions at the Bermuda Society of Arts on the upper level of City Hall. The winter members' show will fill the Onions Gallery, while 'Edges', recent works by Proctor Martin, sales of which will benefit the charity, 'A Mile of Smiles', occupies the Edinburgh Gallery.

Studio A will feature an exhibition by Bermuda High School for Girls GCSE students; Studio B will host 'Layers', recent works by Ampah Tivakam Hubbard; Studio C will feature Emma Dounouk's recent works: 'Places, Figures, Faces'.

Tonight's opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thereafter, all shows will continue through January 14. For gallery hours/further information see the Bermuda Calendar.

Menuhin Foundation entertains

There's nothing like the beauty of Christmas music to heighten awareness of the festive spirit, as various Menuhin Foundation music groups will prove in the days ahead. Tonight, students aged six to 18, directed by Karen O'Brien on viola and Kerry Hawlam on piano, will perform in the Washington Mall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday, December 13 between 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.

On Friday, December 12 the Menuhin Foundation Youth Orchestra and the Menuhin Foundation Cello Ensemble will be performing during the Bermuda National Trust walkabout from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in St. George's. (See next item).

Finally, on Friday, December 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Menuhin Quartet (Caroline Gledhill, Charles Knights, Karen O'Brien and Alison Johnstone) will take listeners on a musical journey through a winter wonderland as they relax by the fireside in the lobby of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel.

National Trust gears up for Walkabout

December 12 is the date of this year's annual 'Walkabout' in St. George's, hosted jointly by the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) and Butterfield Bank. As always, the old town be festively decorated, and lit with candles and Christmas lights, in celebration of the holiday season. Water Street will host musical acts outside the beautifully decorated Tucker House, while King's Square will be a lively scene, thanks to different dance and musical groups. The unfinished church will come alive for the night with performances by school choirs. St. Peter's church hall will be a children's area, with arts and crafts, refreshments and Santa to occupy them. The World Heritage Centre is where members of the BNT can enjoy their traditional refreshments, and a Christmas movie will also be shown in its theatre.Refreshments for the general public will be found at some historical sites. In addition to the World Heritage Centre, the Old Rectory, Stella Maris Church, Buckingham apartment and Reeve Court will all be open and well worth seeing.

The Walkabout is always a great evening for the whole family, so come and enjoy. For further information, please contact Sionna Barton at 236-6483 ext. 210 or e-mail sionna@bnt.bm