Britain’s Princess Royal will award
the prizes to the Newport/Bermuda
Centennial race winners on June 24
JANUARY
The annual Bermuda Festival of The Performing Arts, is held each year in January. The festival presents professional international performers presenting theater and music at different venues on the island. www.bermudafestival.org ; email: e-mail: bdafest@logic.bm
The Bermuda International Race Weekend hosts the ideal escape from the winter weather and an opportunity to kick-start New Year’s resolutions with the Bermuda International Race Weekend. This three-day road running event begins with a series of fast-paced one-mile races on Friday night, a 10K run and charity walk on Saturday, and culminates with a marathon and half marathon on Sunday. Website: www.bermudatracknfield.com.
MARCH
The Bermuda International Film Festival features the best independent films from around the world. The festival screens feature-length narrative, feature-length
documentaries and short films by an array of emerging talent as well as by more seasoned filmmakers. Past attendees include actors Michael Douglas and Willem Dafoe. Website: www.bermudafilmfest.com.
APRIL
XL Capital Bermuda Open. The Association of Tennis Professionals Challenger Tournament features male tennis players from all over the world; past players include: Patrick Rafter, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang. Website: www.xlcapitalbermudaopen.bm.
MAY
Heritage Month. A month of cultural and sporting events to commemorate Bermuda’s heritage. May is also the time that select homes and gardens of Bermudians are open to the public on Wednesday afternoons. Admission $25 or season pass $80. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Bermuda; Tel: 236-0617. Brochures and information can be obtained at the Bermuda Visitors Service Bureaus.
JUNE
The Queen’s Birthday Celebration on June 13 is a public holiday. Beginning at 10:00 am, there is a traditional military parade down Front Street. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com.
Newport Bermuda Race 2006 Centennial Race on June 16. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Biennial Newport Bermuda Race is one of the world’s premier blue water sailing contests. The race will start off Castle Hill Lighthouse near the mouth of Narragansett Bay in Newport, Rhode Island and finishes 635 miles away at St. David’s Lighthouse, St. David’s Head, Bermuda. Britain’s Princess Royal will bestow the awards on the yacht winners at Government House on June 24. For more information, visit www.bermudarace.com.
AUGUST
Cup Match Cricket Festival, August 3-4. Held at the Somerset Cricket Club, this two-day cricket match between East and West End cricket clubs is an annual favorite. The concurrent and equally important commemoration of both Emancipation Day, the 1834 freeing of Bermuda’s slaves, and Somers’ Day, which observes the discovery of Bermuda by Sir George Somers in 1609, make this festival a not-to-be-missed event. For more information contact Somerset Cricket Club at 441-234-0327 or visit www.bermudatourism.com.
The Non-Mariners Race, on August 4 is an annual fun event for the entire family. Bermudians and visitors alike construct non-boats, using anything that may float – picnic tables, bath tubs, four post beds etc. The only rule: Nonboats cannot have a sail or motor, otherwise their means of propulsion can be anything. Every non-participant is a winner. There is no entry fee, but donations for charity accepted. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com.
OCTOBER
The Bermuda Music Festival 2006 held October 4 to 7 this year, brings world-renowned performers to Bermuda’s historic Royal Naval Dockyard where along with local Bermudian artists will perform on an outdoor, over-the-water stage with
picturesque turquoise waters providing the backdrop. Performers this 11th annual festival include the legendary Gladys Knight and longtime jazz favorites such as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes. Bermuda’s Gombey Revue will also engage the crowd, as they mix historic and rhythmic folk art with upbeat tempos and vivid dances.
Website: www.bermudamusicfestival.com or call 800-BERMUDA (800-237-6832).
Bermuda Culinary Arts Festival 2006 held October 26 to 29 presents cooking demonstrations, wine and food tastings, seminars conducted by guest celebrity chefs, live entertainment and tours. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com or call 800-BERMUDA (800-237-6832); email E-mail: info@syntuitive.bm.