associate producer for the event reported yesterday.

James Farrar said the 1,100 seats available for Friday and Saturday night on a reservation basis sold out several weeks ago but some general admission seating was available each night.

However he added that thousands of spaces in this category had also been sold and the remaining tickets were selling rapidly. There are 5,000 spaces -- including the 1,100 reserved and 3,900 general admission spaces -- available each night.

"We are expecting a near sell-out or to be completely sold out,'' said Mr.

Farrar. "The event has been well received overseas and locally.

"We are ahead of ticket sales as compared to last year when we had a sell-out crowd and we are anticipating the same this year.'' Organisers for the event also offered packages to visitors through several travel wholesalers, he continued, and these bodies had sold out of the packages they reserved.

Headliners at this year's event at the Royal Naval Dockyard include Boney James and Diana Krall on Friday night and Roberta Flack and Spyro Gyra on Saturday night.