A HAPPY atmosphere has been promised at a two-day festival of live music, dance and entertainment this weekend.

The Smile (Sunderland Music International Live Entertainment) music festival was launched in the city's Mowbray Park by the Mayor, Councillor Peter Gibson, yesterday.

It was first held last year to showcase the wealth of talent coming out of the city's burgeoning music scene.

Bands playing today and tomorrow include Mavis, Bubbles Pubble Project, Chips and Beans, BNM, Melissa, Sheldon and Metal Inc.

Several young people who performed last year have gone on to sign deals with record companies.

The one thing they all have in common is that they turn up week after week at the Sunderland City Centre Detached Youth Project (SCCDYP), in Toward Road, where they can meet friends and take part in music workshops.

Smile organiser Dave Murray said: "The whole emphasis is about providing a musical outlet for young people who would otherwise be knocking about the streets, and in so doing, helping them build up their confidence and self-esteem.

"Last year, we had several thousand people attend over the course of two days and we're hoping it will be equally successful this year."

Smile is a partnership between SCCDYP, Tyne and Wear Museums and Sunderland City Council. This year, young people have taken part in a Smile banner-making project in the museum with artist Sharon Wilson and cut their own Smile CD during recording sessions at the Bunker.

Elvis will also be putting in a guest appearance on the 25th anniversary of his death, as an impersonator takes to the stage.

The event is open to anyone aged 11 to 25, providing theytake their own backing CD and ask for Dave Murray when they arrival.