An outspoken band leader has claimed that Government's entertainment showcase at the weekend was simply a political exercise to please a few of the Island's performers during an election year.

But Tropical Heat bandleader Tony Brannon said the United Bermuda Party (UBP) had done exactly the same thing years ago, just before they were voted out of power.

"The Government was using the entertainment showcase as a political exercise to placate a few disgruntled performers," said Mr. Brannon last night.

"All of Bermuda's talented performers are working. There is a need for diversity on the Island - I saw no real new talent on Sunday."

The Entertainment Showcase took place at the Fairmont Hamilton Hotel on Sunday afternoon.

Its aim was to expose restaurateurs, hoteliers and industry partners to local talent and some 36 performers took part in the seven-hour show.

Mr. Brannon said while some people may have enjoyed the show, he believed it would do little for the Island's entertainment package.

He said: "Showcasing Aaron Daniels, the 12-year-old saxophonist pianist, was useless, as he would not be ready to play in public until he was much older.

"And an ageing, retired historian who reads poetry, not even from memory, is hardly of interest to any hotel, night club owner or bar.

"If you forced hotels, night clubs and bars to hire these individuals, it would be unthinkable - they would close their doors."

Earlier this week, Minister of Tourism Ren?e Webb, who is currently off the Island, said that she was very pleased with the outcome of the show and of the local artists that took part.

She said she had sat throughout the whole show, and while she was slightly disappointed with the turnout of the general public, she felt it had been a very worthwhile event.

But Mr. Brannon suggested that the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) look at allowing casinos to operate on the Island as a way of attracting more tourists and increasing revenue, which would, in turn, help to fund entertainment across the Island.

He said: "If the PLP was serious about restoring entertainment on the Island it would open up the Caribbean to Bermuda and do Caricom right.

"Get rid of this ridiculous immigration policy of sending all foreign entertainer applications to Lloyd Simmons - the one man union.

"Give all local bars and hotels tax-free status in return for putting on entertainment."

The Department of Tourism's media relation officer David Dumont said that the event was not politically motivated.

"Our mandate is to always improve our product, off Island and in Bermuda, whether it is physical or attractions.

"We are the middle people and we are not a talent agency. We simply put the word out there so that people could come to the event.

"As for there being no new talent in Bermuda that is a total fallacy and that's the mindset that we are trying to dispel, because there is a tremendous amount of talent out there.

"If I were to accept that then the average age of a talented Bermudian entertainer would be 65."

Mr. Brannon also complained about the airport entertainers in the arrivals hall, and claimed that it was not the right place for them.

He said: "Instead, the money could be allocated to the hotels to hire Gene Steede and his Calypsonians on a rotational basis, where they will be much better appreciated."

He suggested diversity, where Bermudian bands could go to other countries and gain exposure and other performers from other nations could come here, as well.

"Many of the current crop of working Bermudian musicians spent many hours watching foreign entertainers at The 40 Thieves, Clayhouse Inn, Southampton Princess Empire Room etc, and this exposure was what helped these Bermudian musicians to be where they are today," said Mr. Brannon.

"People have complained that there is not enough entertainment in Bermuda, and this is true.

"We can bring musicians in to meet the demand - there should be a free exchange of musical talent and it should know no borders," said the band leader.

Flanagans Irish Pub and Restaurant owner Mickey Adderley said he was not able to attend the showcase, but his manager San Bezant did and said the acts that he saw would not have been suitable for the pub.

Mr. Adderley said: "We are looking for a band that can play Irish Pub music and three 45-minute sets a night, but most of what was available was Calypso."

Loyalty Inn manager Dennis Carter said that he was not informed about the event, but said if they had known, a group of the staff would have attended.

The management of the Spinning Wheel said that they would have liked to have gone, but they were not invited.

The manager, who preferred not to be named, said: "We have always provided a facility for local entertainers to showcase themselves.

"A few weeks ago we had Eddie Ming in with a group of drummers."

But Maurita Andr?, a jazz singer who performed at the event, said that, apart from the Karaoke performance at the very end of the show, it was an overwhelming success and she would encourage the Department of Tourism to do it again.

"There were all types of music and different acts and they were good," said Ms Andr?.

"I am surprised to hear that someone is saying something negative about it. I am still hearing from people how much they enjoyed it.

"I am a perfectionist about my work, so if there was a band or a group that wasn't good I would say - I was impressed by the performers.

"I'm sure that everyone did not have a flawlessly perfect performance, but they were really good."

After the show, she said she was given a host of business cards and is waiting on an offer from a local hotel to sing jazz three nights a week.

"It was a great place for networking and meeting people who are looking for acts," said the 22-year-old jazz singer.