Tourism Minister Ewart Brown yesterday promised to put the sizzle back into Bermuda?s ?boring? nightlife as he unveiled a series of summer events.

The Government will spend $600,000 sponsoring a programme of entertainment ? including beach parties, street festivals, live music and club nights ? which will run from late May to October.

Dr. Brown, sporting a bright orange Bermuda-branded cap and jumper, told a Press conference yesterday that research showed visitors to the Island were generally satisfied but described the nightlife as ?the B word ? boring?.

He said: ?Vibrant nightlife, complete with music and entertainment, are the heartbeat of a destination and in order for the visitor experience to be a memorable one, visitors must feel the true pulse of a destination.?

He said the Ministry of Tourism had asked members of the community to submit entertainment proposals for this summer and had received an enthusiastic response.

The Deputy Premier added: ?I am pleased to announce that Bermuda?s summer entertainment scene will sizzle ? you have heard that word before ? with a series of on-Island activities designed to give our visitors and residents alike an experience they will never forget.

?This year we have partnered with an array of talented local entrepreneurs who will deliver what we feel is perhaps the best line-up of Bermudian entertainment options this Island has seen in years.?

He said the programme would include:

A series of themed events, dubbed Endless Summer Nights, at Splash, Square One, Mediterraneo restaurant and Bootsie?s Comedy Club plus Friday Happy Hour at the Pier and live rock bands at the Ozone on Saturdays.

Sunset Musicfest, featuring live jazz, a barbecue and drinks at the Snorkel Park, Dockyard, every Sunday afternoon.

Feel the Love Beach Party Sundays, featuring house and dance DJs, a frozen drinks bar and ?decadent foods?, at Horseshoe Bay.

? Culture Fest Street Party, on Court Street every Wednesday night, when boutique owners will be encouraged to stay open late and visitors will be able to ?experience the unique offerings and taste a bit of the Caribbean right here in Bermuda?.

The return of the Flatts Village Festival on Thursdays, a multi-cultural experience of food, fun and live entertainment for the family.

Live jazz nights at Mediterraneo Ristorante on Fridays.

Tony & Tina?s Wedding comedy show, which was hugely popular last year, on Tuesdays at the Hamilton Princess.

The Chewstick Neo Griot Lounge open mic jam session on Sundays at Champions, on Reid Street.

Cherie Whitter, Director of Tourism, said the Ministry was working with hotels and an advertising agency to ensure tourists were aware of what was happening.

Dr. Brown added: ?I would imagine that if our hotel partners help us, then the visitors who have to stay in hotels will know about these activities. We don?t think there will be many people left in Bermuda come May 1 who won?t know about the summer series.?

Dr. Brown told the Press conference that Bermuda?s tourism industry had got ?slow and sluggish? but that it was being fixed.

?I think it?s just a matter of time before Bermuda will take its rightful place. We are not there yet. Tourism has not been turned around.

?To the extent that turning it around will require a U-turn we are in the middle of the U. We just hope to continue along the same path.?

He said more than 350 people had signed up to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference which starts on the Island today.

?We are very pleased that there has been that kind of response. Any event that generates visitors to Bermuda is something that we appreciate.?