A Holiday Heartbeats concert went ahead at Hamilton’s City Hall despite Covid-19 restrictions.

The lunchtime event featured musical performances by island artists.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs said Covid-19 regulations were enforced to ensure a “safe, yet joyous occasion could take place and fill the air with seasonal music during the lunch hour”.

Artists featured were Joy T Barnum, Quinn Outerbridge, Toni Robinson, all singers, as well as Wendell “Shine” Hayward, a saxophonist, Paul Smith, a steel pan player for De Onion Patch Crew, and Leslie Tucker Jr, a violinist.

Arianna Hodgson, a senator and the Junior Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, who opened last Tuesday’s concert, thanked the department and the City of Hamilton for their support of the show.

She said: “As we can all appreciate, we are celebrating this holiday season under very different circumstances.

“This has meant that this year’s concert had to be hosted in a non-traditional way.”

But Ms Hodgson added: “We felt that it was important to continue the annual custom of the holiday concert because we recognise that our community could truly use some seasonal music to lift our spirits.”

She said: “Even though these are unfamiliar times, I hope that we remember the reason for the season.

“Let’s use this time to reflect on the things that have connected us like the importance of family and friends and keeping safe and healthy.

“I hope we also remember to extend kindness and support to those who are in need, as these have been incredibly challenging times for those most vulnerable among us.”

Members of the public can the concert on the Government’s CITV channel from Christmas Eve, as well as other festive programmes.

The concert can also be watched on the department’s YouTube channel, Bermuda Culture, over the Christmas season.