schedule is sure to make you stomp.

In addition to the Cup Match concert planned by the Department of Tourism, music lovers can also check out shows featuring Xtatik, Kirk Franklin, Sanchez and Fred Locks.

Xtatik, Trinidad's number one soca band, will be bringing in the Cup Match holiday with a bang tonight.

Xtatik and lead singer/songwriter Machel Montano are best known for hits such as Trini Carnival Road March songs "Footsteps'' and "Big Truck'' as well as last year's matador-styled mega-hit "Toro Toro''.

Promoter Choy Aming said he chose the Bailey's Bay cricket field as a venue for the concert so boats could pull up to enjoy the show and max out the East End holiday atmosphere.

"We're going to make it a real festival, not just a soca concert -- this is going to be a real carnival-type vibe,'' said Mr. Aming.

"Xtatik is number one all over the world, and after Bermuda they leave to go to Caribana in Canada,'' he added.

"This is what you call real soca... there's not just a singer with a band behind, everyone is part of the show.

"(Hip hop artist) DMX was in Port of Spain last week, and 40,000 people went to the show. They really needed something powerful, so they flew in Machel and Xtatik just to open the show -- that's how big they are.'' Mr. Aming said there will be a section of the show that will feature UFO Sky Dancer puppets which proved to be a hit in Trinidad as will as a mini-carnival complete with costumes.

Gates open at 8 p.m. and the show will run from about 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door and $35 for groups of ten.

Tickets are available at Sound Stage, Twenty-Seventh Century Boutique and the Clay House Inn.

For those seeking a conscious reggae vibe, tonight's concert featuring Sanchez, Fred Locks, Merciless, Don Cornelius and Bermuda's own Ras Mykkal may be just the ticket (see article this page).

Natasha York, vice president of Ras Chante Promotions, said they hope the concert will provide a positive night of entertainment for both the youth and older music lovers.

"It's a boost for tourism, we're aiming for that, and we've been promoting the concert on www.dancehallreggae.com,'' she said.

Music will be provided by Spanish Town, and Miss York said in the event of rain, the whole area will be tented.

The concert will be at BAA in Hamilton. Doors opens at 8 pm, show time is at 10 p.m.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the gate, and can be purchased at Dub City Records, Twenty-Seventh Century Boutique and Tiffany's 24-7.

Kirk Franklin, the man who brought gospel music to the dance floor, will be performing along with his Nu Nation group at Tiger Bay on Saturday night.

His first album, "Kirk Franklin and the Family'' went double platinum and still tops gospel and contemporary Christian music charts.

Subsequent albums "God's Property Featuring Kirk Franklin'' and most recent release "The Nu Nation Project'' have also enjoyed resounding success.

Tickets are $55 for adults in advance and $60 at the gate, $25 for children in advance and $30 at the gate.

Tickets are available at Chit Chat, the Christian Bookstore, Music Box and Twenty-Seventh Century Boutique.

The Department of Tourism has also organised events for the Cup Match holiday.

Celebrity entertainer Isaac Hayes, best known as the Academy Award-winning composer of the theme song for "Shaft'', will be on Island to open a Cup Match evening concert featuring local and overseas artists on Friday.

Mr. Hayes will be sharing information about Bermuda's cultural heritage with his KISS-FM New York audience.

He will also join Gita Blakeney, Jahstice and the Gombeys at Harbour Nights this evening.