Putting the `Bermuda' in the Bermuda Festival this year is researcher, compiler and director Ruth Thomas' production, `Walk Together Children', which is billed as "a scintillating combination of dance, stories, dramatised conversations, history, Negro spirituals and gospel songs" presented by some of Bermuda's finest talent.

`Walk Together Children', originally entitled `Praise Ye the Lord', was first performed in the Spring of 1999 at St. Anne's church as a fund-raiser for that church's restoration.

It was then performed at St. John's church as a fund-raiser for a destitute church in the Caribbean, and again at Government House to benefit the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda.

The original cast included instrumentalists Nancy Smythe, Wendell (Shine) Hayward, Lloyd Matthew, vocalists Dr. Gary Burgess, Marcelle Clamens, Grace Landy and Edrene Malcolm; and the choral group Rejoice; The National Dance Theatre of Bermuda, and dramatists Leo Mills, Gary Phillips, Grace Rawlins and Miss Thomas.

Almost all of that cast will appear in the Festival production. Joining them will be trumpeter Conrad Roach and The Ensemble Singers (formerly Word).

Miss Thomas, MBE, who studied acting at Brock and Queen's Universities in Canada, and has been active locally as an actress, singer and television hostess, cites storytelling as one of her favourite activities.

She researches and writes the popular dramatic presentations, `Mosaic', based on Bermuda's history, traditions, legends and even gossip.

`Walk Together Children' opens tonight at City Hall theatre, beginning at 8 p.m., and will be repeated again tomorrow night.

For ticket/further information see today's Bermuda Calendar.