Bermuda Tourism Department Announces Performers for Music Festival

The Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) announced today that multi-Grammy winning performer and producer Ziggy Marley and five-time Grammy award-winning artist Toni Braxton will perform at the 15th Annual Bermuda Music Festival, taking place at the Fairmont Southampton, September 30-October 2, 2010. A number of additional A-list artists, including Angie Stone and Estelle, will also be performing at the annual event, where visitors and Bermudians alike are invited to enjoy three nights grooving in paradise.

“Bermuda is looking forward to the return of this highly-anticipated event,” said the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport for Bermuda. “With the high caliber of artists announced today, our close proximity from the East Coast and hotel offers available during the festival, we encourage travelers from around to world to visit Bermuda’s famed pink sand beaches, kick off their shoes and dance to the sounds of great music.”

Kicking off this year’s Bermuda Music Festival on Thursday, September 30 will be multi-Grammy winning performer and producer, Ziggy Marley. Celebrated as a musician and humanitarian, Marley earned his fourth Grammy in 2006 for “Love is My Religion” and most recently released his, “Family Time” album.

On Friday evening, Angie Stone and Estelle will take the stage. Southern gospel singer Angie Stone received a Grammy for her 2007 album, “The Art of Love & War.” Originally seeking musical success in Europe it was under producer Clive Davis that Stone released her albums “Black Diamond,” “Mahogany Soul, “Stone Love” and finally “The Art of Love & War.”

Called “a UK talent to look out for” Estelle broke into the charts with her hits “1980” and “Free,” winning a Mobo Award for Best Newcomer in 2004. On her latest album ‘Shine,’ the UK artist became the first to be signed by U.S. soul musician John Legend and has collaborated with talents such as Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Swizz Beats, Mark Ronson and Kanye West.

The festival will conclude on Saturday evening with a performance by Toni Braxton, a five-time Grammy award-winning artist. Braxton distinguished herself with such hits like “Un-Break My Heart,” “You’re Making Me High,” and “He Wasn’t Man Enough.” In 2000, Braxton received the coveted Aretha Franklin Soul Train Award for career achievement, amongst other honors. Most recently Braxton competed in ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and headlined the Dancing with the Stars tour.

Additionally, visitors to Bermuda can enjoy up to two free nights on hotel stays when booking a trip for the 15th Annual Bermuda Music Festival. BDOT has teamed up with 18 participating hotel properties to offer a program providing up to two free nights on hotel stays, based on two- to six-night bookings, during the tournament. Following suit, 13 celebrated restaurants across Bermuda are offering buy one, get one free entrée specials – all part of the Bermuda “Endless Summer” promotion, available for booking now through August 31. The promotion features accommodations ranging from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to beach clubs and historic beach-front properties.

Tickets for the 2010 Bermuda Music Festival go on sale Monday, July 26. Reserved seating tickets are available for $140 per person and general admission is $95 per person. The three-day general admission pass is $245. The above prices are inclusive of the BDA Tix processing fee, however a $3/ticket telephone order fee will be added to all orders placed over the phone. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bermudamusicfestival.com.