Bermuda Festival Unveils 2018 Programme

The Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts today [Oct 31] launched its 2018 programme, an exciting unique mixture of local and international performances running from Saturday, January 13 to Saturday, March 17 next year.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts today [Oct 31] launched its 2018 programme, an exciting unique mixture of local and international performances running from Jan 13 to March 17 next year.

“The Festival, now in its 43rd year, is expanding on its successful 2017 programming model which included a variety of local and visiting artists, a move that brought a significant increase in ticket sales.

“Consequently, the 2018 programme will offer an extensive local line-up, including two classical pianists, music school students, a classical violinist, a mezzo-soprano, a dance school troupe, gospel choir, several poets and local bands.

“The outstanding international artists will continue to offer the best in drama, ballet, jazz, pop and classical music, including The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, a rock bagpipe band, as an opener, contemporary ballet and tap dance, smooth jazz and gospel artist Jonathan Butler, powerhouse vocalist and Grammy award winner Lisa Fischer, a moving performance of the Olivier Award-winning play The Mountaintop, and a Summer of Love visit to the music of the Woodstock era which completes the Festival.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers – We Will Rock You & Eye of the Tiger

“The student outreach programme continues to be an important feature of the Festival. For 2018, the programme will again be expanded and continue to bring artistic inspiration to local students through masterclasses, workshops and interactive performances.

“Specifically, 2018 will see the introduction of a youth musical competition, entitled “On Stage”. The competition is still hoping for more entries, and consequently the Bermuda Festival organizers have decided to extend the deadline for entries until November 14. The Festival is also pleased to announce that cash awards will be available to the winners.

“Brochures for the 2018 programme were distributed this past weekend to numerous locations across the island, ranging from Visitors’ Information Centres to retail stores and supermarkets.

“Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday November 1 at 10 am here with special rates this year for students and seniors. More information on the Festival programme, including video clips of many of the artists, can also be obtained on the Bermuda Festival website www.bermudafestival.org.

Bermudian Artists

• “Sisters Michelle and Kimberley Cann are both internationally renowned classical pianists. Kimberley played to a sell-out Festival audience in 2006 and in the words of the Royal Gazette reviewer “left them transfixed”. They will give two different recitals, performing together on two pianos on January 22 and Michelle giving a solo recital on January 24 at City Hall. The Menuhin Foundation String Ensemble will play in the foyer before each performance.

• “Twelve local poets and word artists inspired by the legendary Jeremy Frith, will present a unique Bermudian evening of poetry, spoken word and music in collaboration with the BEST environmental charity.

• “In 2009, the Bermuda Festival featured two rising Bermudian stars, mezzo-soprano Kerri Dietz and violinist Leidy Sinclair, who this time has brought with her the prize-winning Halycon Quartet. The two talented musicians will perform separately and finally together in a stunning combination of voice and musical instruments.

• “And speaking of combination, when renowned South African gospel music singer Jonathan Butler appears at the Fairmont Southampton Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre, he will be joined on stage by the Southampton SDA Inspirational Choir under the direction of Conrad Roach. Let the rafters ring! The Unit will also be featured as an opening act for these performances.

• “And we should also mention that the Wall Street Band will open for the Grammy Award winning singer Lisa Fischer, United Dance Productions will perform the opening dance for the international tap dance company, Rhythmatic, and the Bermuda School of Music students will perform in the lobby prior to the appearance of Ballet X.

• “Finally we come to the new youth ensemble competition designed to select the best winner and runner-up band to give their own featured performances as part of the Festival. In order to attract more young people, the Festival has decided to open the competition to soloists and extend the deadline for entries until 14 November. We know the bands are out there and will continue to beat the bushes.”

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