JAZZ up your weekend this Sunday by attending An Evening of outstanding Songs and Jazz featuring Bermuda's number one jazz band The Unit.

The fundraising event to help finance the Units trip to Cuba in 2009 for the 25 Annual Cuban Jazz Festival will be held at The Berkeley Institute and will feature live music, dancers from the Sabor Dance School, and an awards ceremony honouring women who have had an impact on Bermuda's music history. There will also be a raffle draw for a number of prizes.

The Mid-Ocean News spoke with the promoter of the event Cultural Affairs Minister Dale Butler who spoke about the exciting night of music and awards.

Minister Butler said "The event is at the Berkeley Institute at 6pm and is sponsored by The Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation.

"At the event we will have the winning band of the Fathers Day Jazz competition The Unit. The Unit consists of five young Bermudian men and since winning the contest they have gone on to play a number of venues that include The Little Venice Jazz Club and The Fairmont. They are also the band that will represent Bermuda at the 25 Annual Havana Jazz Festival in 2009.

"On Sunday night they will be giving a command performance to raise money for their trip to Cuba at six p.m. At the event we will be honouring outstanding women who have made a contribution to Bermuda's musical history in song or in dance.

"The list includes Barbara Adams, June Caisey, Marlene Minks, Jean Howes, Thelma Tucker and Mildred Blyden. We are also giving another special award to June Lindsay and Derrick Symonds."

Minister Butler went on to explain the fantastic prizes that will be given away. "Your ticket alone for a hundred dollars includes the performance as well as being entered into the raffle draw the first prize of which is $1,500. Other prizes include two tickets to see Beyonce or Alicia Keys at the Bermuda Music Festival and numerous gift certificates to various stores around the island."

Minister Butler noted: "This event ties in and is all part of the musicians report that Stuart Hayward did when I was first minister in 2004. The focus is on finding opportunities for local musicians to perform here and overseas."

Tickets may be bought from Hott 107.5 in the BIU building, The Music Box, Shines Music School on St. John's Road and the People's Pharmacy.