Events producers and promoters will meet the Island's wealth of musical talent over the coming weeks to assist them in planning concerts and entertainment.

A series of lectures is to start next Tuesday aimed at encouraging residents to stage their own events.

The six-week course of workshops will help people raise their profile and should provide a boost to the Island's entertainment industry, according to Culture Minister Dale Butler.

Announcing the Government initiative yesterday, Mr. Butler said its purpose was to "support local musicians and entertainers in Bermuda".

"The Department (of Community and Cultural Affairs) has organised a series of workshops starting next week, designed for people interested in learning more about event production in Bermuda, for musicians looking to learn more about promoting their own acts and producing events, as well as for non-musicians looking to produce music/entertainment events," he said.

"These workshops are being held in response to needs identified by industry stakeholders, and are part of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs' ongoing effort to support and promote musicians and entertainment in Bermuda.

"We are thrilled to sponsor this very relevant skills-based course."

Mr. Butler added: "I believe this course, unprecedented to date, will go a long way to help local musicians and entertainers raise their profile in the community, and help them to obtain key knowledge and expertise on establishing their niche in the industry."

The six-week course is being run through the Community Education and Development Programme. Topics include concept design; technical aspects of event production; marketing; sound; budgeting; and venue selection.

Speakers will include: Matt Strong of Fantasea Bermuda; Danilee Trott of the Corporation of Hamilton; Belcario Thomas of Unite Productions; Andrew Holmes of 441 Productions; and David Durham of Yhoshi Productions.

The lecture and workshop series will be held every Tuesday between April 28 and June 2 at CedarBridge Academy from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.