16 Best Performing Arts in Bermuda

This top-notch festival is a celebration of independent films from all over the world. A full week of springtime screenings takes place at City Hall in Hamilton. Tickets are sold for individual films as well as for workshops and seminars. Festival parties are also popular, as Hamilton mimics—for a few days at least—the glamour of Sundance, minus the fancy cars.

Despite a fire that destroyed its headquarters in 2017, Chewstick is still going strong as a community arts organization attracting a diverse crowd of artists. Open mics are still popular, but check the website for upcoming dates and locations as there is currently no permanent space. Anything goes, whether it's music, spoken word, or dance. Chewstick is a great place to mingle with locals.

Every Wednesday night in summer Front Street in Hamilton hosts a free street festival featuring Bermudian artists, crafts, Gombey dancers, and face painting. Harbour Nights encompasses most of Hamilton: Front Street and Queen Street are closed to traffic, stores stay open later, and throngs of locals and visitors alike sample local art stalls, bouncy castles and rides, food vendors, and live music. It's a great time to try local cuisine like fish cakes, fresh fish, fried chicken, meat pies, and Portuguese deep-fried doughnuts.

Make dinner reservations at a restaurant with a balcony overlooking Front Street for a bird's-eye view of the action (the Terrace and the Pickled Onion are very popular).

For over 40 years, the Bermuda Festival has featured internationally renowned artists and performers. The two-month program, which begins in mid-January, includes theater, as well as classical and jazz concerts. Most shows take place in City Hall and Fairmont Southampton; tickets are approximately $75 for adults and $35 for students.

Formed in 1944, this active theater society has some good amateur actors on its roster and stages performances year-round at its Daylesford headquarters, one block north of City Hall. The Christmas pantomime, which takes place at City Hall, is always a sellout, as are most other performances, especially the annual Famous for Fifteen Minutes. Visit or call the box office at Daylesford, on Dundonald Street, for reservations and information.

The gallery often presents a series of lunchtime lectures on art and film in addition to its revolving exhibits. Stop by or call the gallery for a schedule.

The school hosts a number of popular events including guitar and piano festivals, concerts, and the well-attended annual Some Enchanted Evening fund-raising event. Check the website for upcoming performances.

Feel the Latin beat with group classes in salsa, bachata, and other Latin dances at different locations around the City, including the Docksider on Thursday nights. Bermuda has a thriving salsa scene with classes open to all levels; no experience is necessary. Dancers also show off their fancy footwork at a series of social dancing events after classes and across the island; check the Facebook page for more information.

The Tradewinds Auditorium at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute hosts a film series showing award-winning films the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 7 pm. Films selected are particularly suited for film buffs and, in the past, have included, Academy Award-winner The Whale, as well as documentaries. The auditorium also hosts special events and other film-related days including BUEI Silver Screens for seniors as well as children's films during their Kid's Hour on Saturdays.

The "G & S" holds big-name theater shows and musicals once or twice a year at the Earl Cameron Theatre at City Hall. Bermuda may be a small island, but the talent is amazing; past productions have included South Pacific, The Full Monty, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver!, and Animal Farm.

Bermuda is the only place outside the United States where Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals perform. For more than 50 years this satirical troupe has entertained the island during March or April. Each of these Bermuda-based shows incorporates political and social issues of the past year and is staged at the Earl Cameron Theatre in Hamilton's City Hall.

The foundation funds workshops and develops local dance talent, attracting both local and international students as well as support from Bermuda's most famous resident, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. Check local events listings for information on upcoming performances.

Not only is Rock Island Coffee the unofficial watering hole for Bermuda's eclectic group of artists, but it also doubles as an informal art space. Stop by to find out where all the hip happenings on the island are.

Across the street from City Hall, the Speciality Cinema is Bermuda's most popular two-screen theater. There are usually three showtimes per day per movie. This cinema has a great café out front selling hot food, snacks, and baked goods that you can eat during the movie.

The major venue for quality cultural events in Bermuda, the Earl Cameron Theatre hosts local productions, comedic acts, and live music—all hugely popular with locals. Check local ticket agents  PTix.bm or  BDAtix.bm for current performances.

Every style of dance is taught to adults and children at this popular dance school. Performances are held at various venues throughout the year, including annual recitals in June. Shows include ballet, modern, hip-hop, and also musical theater.