the US are up for grabs for Bermudian musicians.

The prestigious dates will be given to two groups by former boxer Fred Thomas who is hoping to put the punch back into the local music scene by reviving the Battle of the Bands.

The winners will get the all expenses paid trip to the States as will the Saturday house band he is putting together at his Chit Chat night spot.

And Mr. Thomas said it wouldn't stop there.

He said: "I will find other openings and locations.

"I am an optimist - I met some nice people in Sweden and I would love to put together a package to take them to Sweden and Denmark and make sure they make a name for Bermuda and for themselves.'' He said he had 50 percent of his Chit Chat Swing Band formed but the rest of the places were up for grabs in the next couple of weeks. "There's a bass player I have my eyes on.'' "We had a singer who nearly pulled the house down the other night without ever playing with the band before. He blew my mind -- I've invited him back this week.'' He said: "I just want to give opportunities for musicians. They don't have to be qualified, I just want them to come and sit in.

"We have been jamming in front of packed houses on the Saturday night. Just bring your instruments -- we have a set of keyboards and a drum kit and there is a guitar and bass available if people don't bring their own. "We are playing a jazz, blues and a bit of rock. "The final decision on who gets into the band will be made after I talk to the musicians I already have.'' Mr. Thomas has links with two restaurants in Philadelphia -- one specialising in blues and the other in jazz -- where the Chit Chat Swing Band and the winners of the Battle of the Bands will play. "I reckon it's going to cost me between $75,000 to $100,000 to pay for promoting the two bands and paying for their trips.'' Local musician Ron Lightbourne said: "This is fabulous -- more power to his elbow. Good luck to everyone who tries out -- it's a terrific opportunity -- the talent is certainly here.'' And Mr. Thomas stressed his Saturday house band will have to be fairly versatile to cover both gigs.

Mr. Thomas thinks the defunct Battle of the Bands format can work again in a scaled-down format at his Queen Street eatery. Mr. Thomas hoped to get around 15 bands to enter -- each heat would feature three groups with the winners of each round fighting it out in the final. And Mr. Thomas is an old hand at promotions having put on midget and women's wrestling as well as boxing matches.

He said: "The youth are looking for something to do and it got a following before whenever it was promoted at the Rosebank Theatre.

"People used to sneak in because it was sold out.'' "But we lost the theatre and musicians weren't getting hired, local kids were not being promoted.'' The decline in tourism killed off much of the demand for live musicians, said Mr. Thomas.

"There are very few groups on the scene. It's not like it was 35 years ago but if the word is out they will form and get practising. The talent is here in Bermuda.'' And he said the audiences were responding well to the live music at Chit Chat which started seven weeks ago.

He said: "Milton Robinson played here recently and got a standing ovation.

"He's very, very good -- a great jazz guitar picker and very knowledgeable.'' Healthy living Ms Torkos has written articles for the American Journal of Natural Medicine and the Internal Journal of Integrative Medicine and penned two books -- Vanish Varicose Veins and The Secret of St. John's Wart Revealed.

She serves on the medical advisor board for the Canadian Celiac Association and is a regular contributor to Canadian publications like Health Watch Magazine, and Healthy Living Guide.

During her stay, Ms Torkos has addressed employees of the Bank of Bermuda, the nursing staff at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.

Today, she will visit pharmacies in Warwick, Paget and Collector Hill before stopping off at the Bermuda Pharmacy on Pitts Bay Road in Hamilton to meet the public.

"My goal is to provide education and information on complementary medicine as well as tell people what they should look for when selecting supplements.'' Ms Torkos said that judging by their response, she thinks her message was getting through to locals.

"I've had great response so far,'' she said. "I've met a lot of nice people who seem very interested.'' Phoenix spokesperson Pauline Girling said the store was pleased with the public's response to Ms Torkos and planned to facilitate more interaction between locals and the medical community.

"We want to do this more often and encourage two-way communication between the public and the medical profession.'' turned into a night club if the music scene really takes off there, said Mr.

Thomas.

He said: "It's in the right location with plenty of parking space. We do jazz every Friday.'' "Ours is a take-off of Hubie's -- as Hubie's closes at 10 we start our music up.'' Guitar man: Milt Robinson played at Chit Chat recently and got a standing ovation.