Four years ago Premier Ewart Brown promised he would help boost the Progressive Labour Party's coffers by raising funds.

He feels that this weekend's gala will help fulfil that promise.

Speaking with The Royal Gazette, Dr. Brown said there were three things he pledged to do.

"One was that the party would no longer have a mortgage at Alaska Hall. Secondly, we would have more members of Parliament than we had when I came in and Mr. [Wayne] Furbert assured us of that."

The Progressive Labour Party paid off Alaska Hall's mortgage in 2008.

Mr. Furbert resigned as Opposition leader and became an Independent MP in December 2008. He crossed the floor of the House of Parliament to join the PLP in March.

His third pledge, said Dr. Brown, was that "I would be in a position to handle a significant contribution to the party's campaign pockets because campaigns are expensive and I wanted to make sure that the people following me had some".

A beach party, golf tournament, black tie dinner and church service are among the activities to be held during the Premier's Farewell Gala.

Events begin with a beach party at Snorkel Park tonight, and end on Monday with a celebrity brunch cruise on-board The Venetian.

"I'm most excited about the fact that there has been a fantastic response from people in Bermuda and outside. Even in this economic climate, people are coming from the Caribbean, Canada and the US for something that is really a Bermuda thing, a Bermudian activity," said Dr. Brown.

"So you know I'm really excited about that and thankful that people are prepared to make the financial sacrifice when the beneficiary is the [PLP]."

Noted R&B singer Gladys Knight is to perform at a black tie gala, reception, dinner and show at the Fairmont Southampton tomorrow night.

Dr. Brown said the Grammy Award-winner was his favourite entertainer. His favourite songs? 'Midnight Train' and 'Giving Up'.

"When I was at Howard University as student body president in 1968, I actually signed a cheque on the student government to a promoter for $1,250 for Gladys Knight and the Pips. I reminded her of that a couple of years ago when she came to [perform here for the] Love Festival and she said 'things have changed'."

Asked which part of his farewell gala he's most looking forward to, the Premier asked with a laugh: "Other than the golf tournament?"

"Actually I'm looking forward to the entire weekend," he said.

"When we kick it off at the beach, I think I'm going to have a chance to say goodbye to a younger audience. We've tried to attract the younger people by bringing in some personalities Rocsi, Terrence J, and Tisha and Duane Martin, Tichina Arnold.

"All these people, combined with local entertainment that will include Nadanja, Bootsie, are all coming to perform and the band is called Working Title. So I expect that Friday will be kicked off nicely."

He continued: "Then on Saturday we will be very busy with the golf tournament and I am really impressed and delighted that the CEO of the PGA, Joe Steranka is coming for the weekend and he will also be playing in the tournament."

Asked what he would say to those who are critical of the weekend, Dr. Brown said: "You know I learnt a long time ago that it is highly unlikely that you will ever make a decision in politics or as a politician and that it meets with everyone's approval.

"One of the songs that will be sung during the weekend will be 'My Way', a Frank Sinatra song. I just have to say that I feel entitled, you know, to do it this way. And the good news is that it's only for the people who want to come. I understand that there may be people for whom it doesn't fit, but that's OK.

"We're going to focus on the positive. As long as we raise money for the PLP it will be a great thing."

American entertainers Lynn Whitfield, Pauletta Washington and Star Jones will also perform tomorrow night as will Gene Steede and McCartney Darrell.

Bermuda Music Festival producer Rock Newman and Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney will serve as MCs.

Added Dr. Brown: "It's going to be nice. I'm really looking forward to spending the evening and my sons are coming in. It should be nice. We're going to have some fun."