Today

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

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 Secret and La Perla. Numerous raffle prizes. Tickets $150 per person. (Beth Lindgren 236-7324 or e-mail bjslnorthrock.bm for further information.

Bob Marley, Tribute to a Hero Night of Reggae Awareness and Consciousness to celebrate what would have been the late reggae superstar's 59th birthday. 10 p.m. Bailey's Bay Cricket Club. Contributions $10 at the door.

More Crabs in a Bucket An artists' showing of poetry and music held by Alan Smith, Laurel Monkman, Saskia Wolsak and Sundatja at 8 p.m. at the City Hall Theatre. Tickets $20 from 27th Century Boutique, Bermuda Bookstore, Chewstick, Metaphysical Book Shop, Rock Island Coffee and True Reflections.

Bermuda Folk Club Open Mike Night. Old Colony Club, Trott Road, Hamilton at 8.30 p.m. Admission $5 members, $8 non-members. interested performers should call Paul Gibbons at 236-4831 or e-mail paulgibbonsibl.bm

Tuesday, February 10

Bermuda National Trust Children's Nature Walk, Warwick Pond. 10 a.m. to noon. Parents and children (ages five and over) are invited on a guided tour of Warwick Pond. Recently installed signs help walkers learn about the resident and migratory birds, the pond and the forest. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn more about Bermuda's unique plant and wildlife. The walk starts at the Olive Bank entrance. Participation is free, and cold drinks are available at the finish.

February 10, 11

Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society Auditions for 'Famous for 15 Minutes' plays. Actors/actresses of all sizes, ages, races invited. Daylesford Theatre, cnr. Dundonald/Washington Streets, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Audition material available from Daylesford bar Monday to Friday after 5 p.m.

EXHIBITIONS

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.

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 available. THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY: Black History Month: Running continuously: DVDs on flat-screen TV featuring music and autobiographies of such artists as Bob Marley, Charlie Parker, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker and more. 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.