Mixed blend of music and entertainment

Ja-Po-Ro-Set - a series of five shows at St George's Square, Valletta - will raise the curtain on this year's Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal on October 6.

Kicking off at 7 p.m., the gigs will be presented by Morena and Spectrum, the band Explicit, Mike Spiteri and Band and Fabian Kallerdahl, who will take the stage in turn.

Gozitan vocalist Morena and Spectrum will kick the evening off.

Formed in the late 1970s, Spectrum is composed of Patrick, lead guitarist, Joe, bass, Ino, drums, and Ismael, keyboards. During their concert they will be joined by guest guitarist Edmond and young vocalist Christine.

Explicit will take centre stage between 9 p.m. and 10.15 p.m. The rock group is made up of Andrew, Charles, Marco, Mario and Stephanie. This year they have released their first single album Explicit.

On a completely different note, Malta's leading ethnic band Etnika will present their show Kabare Malti, featuring an 11-piece brass band in a 90-minute music, dance and theatre spectacle. Kabare Malti is set in the tradition of the notorious Valletta city port cabarets. The production features repertoire from the CD Zifna and shows from Bumm Bumm, The Giant Dream and a variety of Maltese traditional instruments. Etnika will be performing between 10.30 p.m. and midnight.

Mr Spiteri will be joined by the accomplished Paul Giordimaina on piano and keyboards and double bassist Mario Il-Cocker. For his gig, Mr Spiteri has also engaged drummer Ruben Navarro, Mark Attard on keyboard and Andrew Zammit on guitar. Mr Spiteri and band will perform pieces of jazz and blues mixed with fine soul between 12.30 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Jazz lovers will be treated to a unique mix of Swedish jazz tradition with the rhythms and colours of rock music, reggae and world music by Swedish pianist Fabian Kallerdahl and Company from 2.30 a.m. to 4 a.m. Fabian Kallerdahl is one the most prominent and proficient musicians of the younger generation. He has been named the "Jazz in Sweden" artist for the year 2006 and his work is considered as jazz of the future.