America’s Cup organisers are searching for Bermuda’s best musicians to form a professional band which will play throughout the five-week spectacle in May and June next year.

And they’re also seeking local comedians, steel band players, calypso, gombey troupes, dance troupes, fire-dancers, soloists, rappers, poets, stilt-walkers, jugglers and street theatre entertainers.

Several gigs will be lined up for the band, including the Dock-Out shows, America’s Cup parties and events in the America’s Cup Village. But the musicians will have to learn each of the sailing team’s song as well as playing soca, reggae, top 40 music and traditional Bermuda-themed songs.

Sancha Durham, Event and Business Support Coordinator, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Bermuda’s best musicians to be directly involved in and benefit from the 35th America’s Cup. We are looking for the finest of Bermuda’s talent to show the world what we have to offer. We are very excited to see the talent that will come forward to make up the band and I would like encourage all musicians to audition for this fantastic gig.”

“The band will be comprised of the best talent in Bermuda, ages 16 and up,” explained an AC statement. “Prior performance experience isn’t necessary as both amateurs and professional musicians and everything in between are welcomed. Contestants must be aged 16 years or older by December 31, 2016 and must be a resident of Bermuda.

“Round one of auditions will be held on Saturday, January 14 at the Earl Cameron Theatre in City Hall from 9am to 5pm. Round two will be held on Sunday, January 15 from 9am to 12 noon. Musicians are asked to register their interest and will be given a time slot to audition. Registration is available on www.acbda.bm.

“Walk-ins will be welcomed on the day and will be served on a first come, first served basis after the scheduled audition slots. No one will be allowed in the audition space aside from the judges and the contestants.

“For the initial audition, each musician will prepare three pieces. For round two, judges will select the top contestants who will be asked back to perform their final piece the next day, Sunday January 15.

“The finalists will be narrowed down to 12 and the public will then vote online for their favourites to make up the band. Public voting begins on January 18 for two weeks and the band will be announced on February 3.”

To register as an entertainer, e-mail talent@americascup.com. Entertainment in the America’s Cup Village will be scheduled before and after racing and into the evening on weekends, and professional entertainers will be paid.

The America’s Cup will be sailed between May 26 to June 27.

For more information, www.acbda.bm