Close to 50 entertainers auditioned over the weekend to be a member of The Band, which will play at various events during the 35th America’s Cup.
The open auditions were held on Saturday, January 14 in the Earl Cameron Theatre beginning at 9:30am and were open to members of the public 16 and up. The majority of the contestants had pre-registered, but there were a number of walk ins who were also given the opportunity to showcase their talent.
The panel of judges has representatives from the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) and the ACBDA and includes The Band Musical Director Robert Edwards. They have narrowed the pool of contestants to 25 in the categories of female singers, male singers, drummers, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, percussionist and saxophonist.
The public can vote for their favourite contestants to reach the shortlist for final selection of The Band via a closed ballot on www.acbda.bm. The final decision of members of The Band sits with the panel of judges and an announcement will be made on February 2.
To vote for your favourite candidate, visit http://www.acbda.bm/the-band-finalists/. On that page, there is an audition video of each of the contestants who made it through to the next round. Simply click the voting tab to vote for your favourite contestant in each category by January 31.
Sancha Durham, Event & Business Solutions Support Coordinator, ACEA, says: “Firstly, we would like to thank all the performers who came out to audition for The Band. We were amazed at the wealth of talent in Bermuda from singers to drummers to guitarists. The auditions really opened our eyes as to the talent available on Island. We look forward to seeing who the public votes for to be shortlisted for the final round of The Band.”
The Band will play at various events during the 35th America’s Cup including Dock-Out shows, in the America’s Cup Village and at America’s Cup parties. They will learn each America’s Cup sailing team’s song as well as playing soca, reggae, Top 40 and traditional Bermuda-themed songs.
This is one of two major entertainment initiatives of the America’s Cup, which is also calling for all existing local bands, solo musicians and entertainers of all kinds to register to play in the America’s Cup Village during the five weeks of the events in May and June.
‘The Band’ is in addition to existing local talent scheduled for the America’s Cup Village, supplementing the local talent programme. To register for the local talent programme, email talent@americascup.com by January 31.
For more information, please visit www.acbda.bm.
About the ACBDA
Established in January 2015, the ACBDA is the organisation charged with delivering Bermuda’s obligations and responsibilities as host country for the 2017 America’s Cup.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the ACBDA represents Bermuda’s interests across all parties, including defining a positive, long-term legacy. The ACBDA also works to ensure effective communications with the broader Bermuda community relating to the America’s Cup and the associated impacts and opportunities.
Events set to take place in Bermuda include the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in 2017, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers and Challenger Playoffs in 2017, the America’s Cup Super-Yacht Regatta 2017 and America’s Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton in June 2017.
The ACBDA Board of Directors are: Peter Durhager (Chairman), John Collis, David Dodwell, Darren Johnston, Warren Jones, Donna Pearman, Jasmin Smith, Blythe Walker and Mike Winfield (CEO).
About the America’s Cup
The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851, when the yacht America, after which the trophy is named, beat the best of the British fleet in a race around the Isle of Wight, U.K. The trophy won on that day was donated in trust through a Deed of Gift and has since become one of the most difficult sporting challenges to win in the world. In the 165 year history of the America’s Cup only four countries have managed to win, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland.
The America's Cup is currently held by the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, USA. On September 25, 2013, its team, ORACLE TEAM USA, completed one of the biggest comebacks in sports history to retain the trophy it had first won in 2010.
On December 2, 2014, Bermuda was named as the home of the 35th America’s Cup, with the iconic Great Sound as the racecourse area where the new America’s Cup Class boats (15-meter, foiling, wing-sailed catamarans) from each competing nation will race for the America’s Cup in May/June 2017.
The America’s Cup is honored to partner with Louis Vuitton as the title partner of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs. Louis Vuitton is also the presenting partner of the 35th America’s Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton.
For further information, please contact:
Mikaela Pearman
Marketing & Communications Executive
ACBDA Ltd.
Email: comms@acbda.bm
tel: +1 441 537 1889
www.acbda.bm