October 3rd, 2012

Hi Kids!

Hurray for October, probably the best month of the year! Oktoberfest, Halloween and, most importantly, my birthday to look forward to – what’s not to like?! Here is some of what’s going on in Bermuda this month:

There are still a few days of the largest Oktoberfest celebration on the island at Swizzle Inn, Bailey's Bay as they will be finishing up on Sunday, October 7th. The Beer Tent with authentic Oktoberfest tables, benches and music is already set up and Swizzle Inn have exclusively imported Oktoberfest Draft Beer, direct from Munich, as well as bottles of Weisse, dark and pilsner beer from Munich, schnapps and German wines. For soakage, Bavarian chef Edi Guntl has prepared a full Oktoberfest menu, including schnitzels, sausages, sauerbraten, dumplings, goulash, strudel and more authentic German delights. Groups of 8 or more who book in advance will get Beer tent seating, special pricing and Oktoberfest party favours. For bookings, contact Carolyn at 293-1854 or [email protected]

An opportunity to get away from it all while developing yourself, the third and final Chewstick Retreat Weekend of 2012 will be from Friday, October 5th until Sunday, October 7th on Paget Island. As usual, the Retreat will feature participant-led workshops, collaborations, group activities and quiet time dedicated to enhancing the overall process of personal and collective growth. The cost is $100 for members, $150 for non-members and $75 for students and under 18s. The Parent and Child (under 18) rate is $150, with $50 for each additional child. Full details and online signup are available at http://chewstick.org/2867, or contact [email protected] for more information.

The next installment of the Historical Heartbeats Lecture Series promises to be a high-energy family event on Saturday, October 6th. The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the West Indian Association (Bermuda), are bringing Caribbean Day to Victoria Park from 2pm until 6pm. This will be a celebration of the Caribbean culture in a festival that includes live entertainment, food, games, films, cultural talks, dance, displays and more. Best of all, this event is free to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Kim Dismont Robinson on 292-1681.

Whether you're looking for a bargain or have stuff to sell, you'll be delighted to know that the MAMA Car Boot Sale will be at Mount St. Agnes on Saturday, October 6th from 9am until noon. Stalls will be selling toys, books, baby stuff and tea/coffee/baked goods with a bouncy castle to keep the little ones amused while you shop. Entry is free, or you can reserve a table for $30 by emailing [email protected]

Court House Squash & Wellness is holding its first charity Spinathon in the courtyard on Saturday, October 6th. From 8am until 8pm, brave volunteers will be participating with spinning instructors, music, sponsored drinks, fruit plates and supporters to keep them motivated. Court House will be sponsoring the instructors’ bike for the day and all are welcome to sign up. The cost is $25 per hour or $300 per bike (corporate sponsors welcome) with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. Sponsorship forms available at the reception desk and there will be a prize for the participant who gets the most sponsorship. For more information, see Dee at the reception desk or call 292-8357.

More exercise in the name of charity that same day - this time it's the Eliza Doolittle Society Zumbathon in the BHS Main Gym. Featuring a variety of local Zumba instructors, ZumbAtomic for 3 to 12 year olds will be from 5pm until 5.30pm, followed by Zumba for over 13s from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. The cost is $10 for anyone aged over 13 and free for under-12s. This is part of the Eliza Doolittle Society's Making Hunger History Week so they also ask that you also bring non-perishable food items to contribute to their collection box.

If you like your fries to be topped with cheese curds then you’ll probably already be aware that Canadian Thanksgiving is on Monday, October 8th. To celebrate, the Association of Canadians in Bermuda is holding its Annual Thanksgiving Supper at the Mariners Club on Saturday, October 6th. From 6pm, a Canadian chef will prepare a traditional meal of turkey, Canadian seafood soup, autumn vegetables and desserts. After dinner, Bermuda Folk Club will provide Canadian-themed music. Tickets are $60 and available from www.bdatix.com.

The Bermuda National Trust presents two Classical Concerts at, and in support of, Verdmont Historic Home, this weekend. Anne Robert (violin) and Vincent Boucher (Harpsichord) will celebrate the music of Verdmont’s early years, including Bach, Händel and Scarlatti on Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th. The Saturday event will begin with champagne at 7.30pm, the concert from 8pm until 9.30pm and a wine and cheese reception afterwards. On Sunday, the concert will be from 3pm until 4.30pm with champagne and High Tea served afterwards. Tickets on sale at Waterville, Pomander Road and cost $65 for members and $80 for non-members. For more details or reservations, contact [email protected] or 236-6483.

I know there are a lot of Reiki fans out there but have you ever thought of becoming a healer? Cambridge Beaches are offering a Reiki Level 1 Workshop on Saturday, October 13th from 9am until 6pm. The workshop will include the history of Reiki, meditation to find your inner healer, how to explore your Chakras, receive Reiki Level 1 attunement, how to cleanse your aura and how to give a full Reiki treatment. The cost is $295. For more information, or to register, contact Bianca on 300-0505 or email [email protected]

Whether you are a budding (pun intended) artist, or a very experienced one, if you want to capture the vibrancy of Bermuda flora, you won't want to miss the two day workshop with artist Margaret Best at the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA). Exciting New Techniques in Coloured Pencil will be from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, October 27th and Sunday, October 28th. The cost is $225 for members or $250 for non-members. For more information, see www.bsoa.bm.

The West End of the Island is hoping to be invaded by the undead on Saturday, October 27th. Zombies From Dockyard, a Zombie Walk leaving the Dockyard Arts Centre at 11am will have participants dressed as zombies shuffling their way to Somerset Village. The Village will be transformed into "Mangrove Hallows" with spooky family activities from noon until 4pm, including the Great Pumpkin Race, Scariest Sand Sculpture Competition, Pumpkin Carving, Costume Parade, Ghouls and more. All proceeds go to the Art Centre at Dockyard. For more information, or for a pledge sheet, visit www.artbermuda.com or call 234 2809.

The Mariners RFC Annual Halloween Party for 2012 will be on Saturday, October 27th at Flanagan's and Outback. From 8pm until 1am, there will be frightfully good music by DJ Bitsy, prizes and drinks specials. Tickets are $20 in advance from [email protected] or any player. A limited number will also be sold at the door for $30.

No need to choose between the two rugby Halloween parties as the Annual Teachers TRFC Halloween Party will be the following week on Saturday, November 3rd at Docksiders. Supatone Sound will be providing spooktacular music from 9pm until 3pm, and there will be prizes for best, worst and most creative costumes. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available from any TRFC member or contact [email protected]

We're well and truly back into Lobster Season and Cambridge Beaches want to help you make the most of it. Their special offer, Lobster Madness, every Monday includes a half-shell lobster (boiled, grilled, baked, broiled, curried) with steamed vegetables, potatoes/rice, butter, lobster soup/appetiser, dessert and gratuities for $65 per person. This offer will run until they run out of lobster and is for over-16s only since this is an adult resort. For reservations, call 234-0331 or email [email protected]

Anyone interested in some spa offers? Thought so, here are the latest offers for October from The Spa at Elbow Beach, including body wraps, foot treatments and massages. For reservations, contact 239-8900 or [email protected]

Angelo’s Bistro in the Walker Arcade (formerly Bistro 12/The Plaza) is now open for dinner from Monday to Saturday from 6pm until 9.30pm. To celebrate, they invite you to bring your favourite bottle(s) of wine to dinner and the corkage fee is on them. This promotion will run until October 20th and reservations are recommended. To book your table, call 232-1000 - here's the menu!

Quick Recap of Upcoming Bermuda Events

Click on the event name to be taken to the original post with full details. No link means that the details are in this current post. For a handy Calendar view, click here to go to the Bermuda Calendar section:

Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Bermuda Art - June 15th to November 24th

Death by Disco - June 28th to November 1st

Oktoberfest at Swizzle Inn - September 27th to October 7th

2nd Annual Making Hunger History Week - September 30th to October 6th

Kirtan College - October 4th to 7th

Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Bermuda: The Producers - October 4th to 13th

Chewstick Retreat Weekend - October 5th to 7th

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Wear it Pink Denim Day - October 5th

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Annual Friday Fish Fry - October 5th

BHS 1st Annual Oktoberfest Beer and Bavarian Food Tasting Fundraiser - October 5th

Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation (KAF) Backyard Bash - October 6th

Bermuda Guild of Stitchery P.A.L.S. Fundraiser - October 6th