To February 6

Bermuda Biological Station for Research Jason Project XV: Rainforest at the Crossroads Join scientists and students Argonauts from around the world on their exciting journey to explore the tropical rainforests of Panama. Live broadcasts at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Ferry Reach. For information, broadcast times and closed-captioned broadcasts, contact JP Skinner at 297-1880, ext. 241, e-mail skinnerbbsr.edu or visit www.bbsr.edu

Tomorrow

Bermuda National Gallery Lunchtime Series - Video Presentation. 12.30 p.m. Free. In honour of Black History Month. "Against the Odds". The Artists of the Harlem Renaissance tells how black artists triumphed over formidable odds. This documentary, narrated by actor Joe Morton, features more than 130 rarely seen paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures by black artists and even more rarely seen archival footage of those artists at work. The period of the 1920s and '30s known as the Harlem Renaissance encompassed an extraordinary outburst of creativity by African-American visual artists. Racial prejudice and segregation, however, not only kept them out of the mainstream museums and galleries where they could show and sell their art but threatened the very core of their personal artistic expression. Rich archival footage, including newsreels and photographs, recalls the influential force of the exhibitions, the vibrancy of Harlem in the roaring twenties and the many significant personalities that shaped the movement, such as William E. Harmon, W.E.B. DuBois and Alain Locke. Produced by the New Jersey Network.

February 6, 7

Bermuda Festival Black Dyke Band Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, Devonshire, 8.30 p.m. Further information: Festival box office, ferry terminal building, Front Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gen. inquiries during those hours: tel. 292-8572. Ticket sales: tel. 296-5774 or visit web site www.bermudafestival.com

Saturday, February 7

Bermuda National Trust Plant & Bake Sale, Waterville, Paget. The diverse assortment of unusual native and exotic plants is perfect for spring planting. Don't miss the mouth-watering selection of homemade baked goods and preserves. 8.30 a.m. to noon.

The Bermuda Junior Service League 'Aphrodite, Goddess of Love' extravaganza Gala Ball for charity. Fairmont Hamilton Hotel. Champagne cocktail reception (6.00), dinner, dancing and lingerie fashion show (7-12 midnight), featuring ensembles from Victoria's Secrets and La Perla. Numerous raffle prizes. Tickets $150 per person. RSVP by January 31. (Beth Lindgren 236-7324 or e-mail bjslnorthrock.bm for further information.

EXHIBITIONS

ACE Gallery Until February 6: 'Contemporary Vietnamese Painting' ? a collection of work by six contemporary Vietnamese artists: Tran Luong, Le Quang Ha, Mai Anh, Nguyen Minh Thanh, Le Quoc Viet and Nguyen Thi Chau Giang, whose work is influenced by Vietnam's traditions and history and is representative of Vietnam's vibrant art culture. The artists all have vastly different styles and approaches to painting, but are unified by the fact that their work draws from Vietnamese daily life. The ACE Gallery, located in ACE global HQ, 17 Woodbourne Avenue, Pembroke, is open to the public Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Groups welcome. ( 295-5200 for appointment.

Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard Until March 5: 'Sex' (juried members' mixed media exhibition). Guest artists: Peter Lapsley, Jon Legere. Also, visit our working artist studios and gallery shop for locally made gifts, prints and original art. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Further information: ( 234-2809 or visit website www.bermuda/bm/artcentre

January 25-March 5: "SEX". A Juried Members Show exploring the concepts of male and female, otherness, creation and primal urges. Featuring new work by guest artists Jon Legere and Peter Lapsley.

Bermuda National Gallery Art museum in historic City Hall, Hamilton. The collections show both historic and contemporary art from Bermuda and the world. You will find artwork relating to Bermuda's history through its fine and decorative arts, international art reflecting Bermuda's multicultural heritage and excellent temporary exhibitions. January 31-April 8: Main Gallery: 'Landscape: A Poetic Vision' (15 works by Bermudian/international artists). Watlington Room: 'Seascapes and Landscapes' (works from the Gallery's permanent collection of European masters); Upper Mezzanine: The African Collection (from the Gallery's permanent collection): various works by African artists. Lower Mezzanine: 'A Tribute to Georgine Hill' (Founding trustee of the Gallery, first art teacher in local public school system: exhibition shows her talent as one of the Island's foremost portrait painters); 'A Tribute to deForest Trimingham': Photographs by one of the Island's most passionate and pre-eminent exponents of photography. Includes images from his book, 'Buddha: The Living Way'.

Ondaatje Wing: 'The Bermuda Collection: 350 years of art in Bermuda' (paintings/photographs by notable figures in Bermuda's art history. Includes previously unshown painting by Prosper Senat, and rare Capt. John Smith 1624 map of Bermuda (on loan from ACE Foundation).

WEDNESDAYS: Lunchtime lecture series 12.30-1.30 p.m. In general: lively programme of lectures and evening cultural and social events (see website for listings: www.bng.bm). TUESDAYS: Special art and architecture tour, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $65 per person charge includes lunch at Waterloo House. Minimum eight, maximum 15 persons. Must be booked in advance. Gallery hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed public holidays. Admission free. THURSDAYS: Guided tours 10 a.m. Pre-arranged special tours for groups are available. ( 295-9428.

Bermuda Society of Arts Until early January: Onion Gallery: Members' unjuried winter show (mixed media). Edinburgh Gallery: 'Bermuda Dreamland' ? infrared photograph by Theresa Airey. Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located upper level City Hall, Church Street. Admission free. Further information: ( 292-3824.

Bridge House Gallery Original paintings by well-known local artists and watercolours by the late Alfred Birdsey. Also stocked: prints by local artists, local jewellery and cedar work. 1 Bridge Street, St. George's. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Further information: (297-8211 or 236-9897 after hours.

Bermuda Maritime Museum at Dockyard "Bermuda's Defence Heritage" : 10-room exhibit on the ground floor of Commissioner's House features 350 years of local military history, including tributes to Bermuda's local forces and war veterans. Open 9.30a.m. - 5p.m. daily. Last admission 4:30 p.m. Admission $7.50 adults, $6 seniors, members free. Museum information ( 234-1418 or e-mail marmuseibl.bm Dolphin Quest programme reservations 234-4464 or www.dolphinquest.org

Second floor: Until May 2, 2004: 'Bermuda Bound': An exhibition of rare books and manuscripts from the Fay & Geoffrey Elliott Collection, relating to Bermuda's maritime history. New Library located in Robert and Dena Dodson Room and Jack Arnell Library features Museum's rare Bermuda, maritime and military collections. Also, Hours: Daily 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. last admission. Admission: members free, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, under age 5 free. Annual Membership $50 family, $30 individual. For information ( 234-1418.

Corporation of Hamilton Stamp Exhibit. From the Benbow Collection: Decimal First Days, 1992-94 (including Royal visit and new definitives). See also memorabilia ofthe Queen's 50th atthe City Hall administrative offices, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Admission free.

Crisson & Hind Fine Art Gallery: Hand-carved African sculptures by master Shona artists of Zimbabwe, inc. stone heads, animals, abstracts. Located second floor, Crisson Building, 71 Front Street. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. ( 295-1117, fax 295-1125.

Desmond Fountain Gallery: Sculptures by the artist plus new works by Bernard Poulin, Matthew Alexander, Dan Dempster, Jason Jones, Bruce Stuart, Maria Evers-Smith. Emporium Building, 69 Front Street. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. ( 296-3518.

Kafu Hair & Gallery Located 8 Parliament Street (northern end). Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. FRIDAYS: Chill time until midnight. Come sit, relax, socialise, and chill with your friends amidst great paintings by Glen Wilks, Vernon Clarke, Sharon Wilson, Kevin Morris and Manuel Palacio, while enjoying music/videos. Refreshments. Admission free. Further information: ( 295-5238 or e-mail kafuhairhotmail.com Website www.kafuhairandgallery.bm

Masterworks at BF&M 'Famous Onions' ? paintings by Betsy Mulderig in the foyer. Open during normal business hours.

Masterworks at Colonial Foyer Gallery: New arrivals in the Masterworks Collection: works by Beiler, Stevens, Comfort and McBride. Open Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Masterworks Art Centre, Botanical Gardens Gallery situated in the Arrowroot Factory, Paget. Rose Gallery: Jennifer Stobo. West Wing: Kevin Morris and Stella Shakerchi. Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Further information: (236-2950.

Masterworks Foundation Gallery at 97 Front Street. Changing show of work by a variety of Masterworks artists. Also available: beautiful crafts by local artisans, cards, prints and unusual posters, and Masterworks limited edition 'Bermudiana Collection' giftware. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Late night openings: December 12/19 to 7 p.m. Further information: ( 295-5580/236-2950 or e-mail mworksibl.bm

New Heritage House Gallery At 26 Church Street (across from bus stop), Hamilton. Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Further information: ( 295-2615.

Regal Art Gallery Original oils, prints, greeting cards by Bermudian artist Robert D. Bassett. Also sold: sculptures, ceramics, original paintings/prints by innovative local and international artists. Located 86 Reid Street East. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. ( 295-7441.

Windjammer Gallery 87 Cnr. Reid/King Streets. CLOSED from January 16 for one month. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Further information: ( 292-7861.

EVENT PLANNING

The Bermuda Diary is a free public service to help you avoid conflicting with other major events when planning yours. For information ( 236-3570 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

EACH WEEK OR MONTH

SUPPORT GROUPS

Allan Vincent Smith Foundation Confidential helpline providing educational information on AIDS between 5.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday to Friday ( 295-0002.

Bermuda Alzheimer's Family Support Association SECOND TUESDAY each month: Meeting, Extended Care Unit activities room, upper level, King Edward VII Hospital, Point Finger Road, Paget, 5.30 p.m. ( Julie Kay Darrell at 238-2168.

Bermuda Schizophrenia Society FIRST TUESDAY each month: St. Brendan's Hospital, Devonshire, 7 p.m. For further information ( Gina Davis at 292-5613.

Coalition for the Protection of Children A 24-hour hotline for people who are concerned about or wish to report cases of child abuse ( 295-1150.

Guidance and Rehabilitation for Able Children's Enhancement (GRACE) SECOND TUESDAY each month: Support group for parents with special-needs children, Friendship Vale School, Warwick, 6.30 p.m. Child care provided if you ( Mrs. Furbert at 292-0543 in advance with number of children and ages.

Lupus Association of Bermuda For information ( Margaret Wade, support coordinator (234-1080) or Dawn Butterfield, public relations (295-8600 or fax 234-1952).

Overeaters Anonymous Group Meets every Tuesday from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Christian Science Church on Cedar Avenue in Hamilton. No fees. For information ( 295-2070.

P.A.L.S. (Cancer Care in Bermuda) Second WEDNESDAY each month: Volunteers meeting, opposite old hospital, 18 Point Finger Road, Paget, 7.30 p.m. For further information ( 236-PALS (7257) (fax) 236-7250.

Single Parents in Action Family Resource Centre Support group for single parents. ( 799-7726.

Reach to Recovery A 24-hour support line for women in ANY stage of breast cancer. ( 296-5517.

S.T.A.R. Support for persons who are HIV-positive or have AIDS and their families (( 292-5941).

Women's Resource Centre Support for victims of rape and sexual assault. Interested persons welcome. ( 295-7273.

Sickle Cell Foundation Support group for all whose lives are touched by this disease. For further information ( Mrs. Ivena Laurenceo at 293-8728 (day) or 293-2317 (evening).