Students and seniors can get special deals for the Bermuda Festival as part of a plan to widen membership.

They will be offered annual membership for $1, which would include 50 per cent discounts on festival tickets for students and 25 per cent discounts for seniors.

Benefits include special access to specified rehearsals, priority seating for student outreach programmes and discounts from participating vendors.

The festival is also offering $50 gold membership packages for families until January 1.

Festival executive director T.J. Armand said: “In our 44th year, our audience is growing. For the first time in Festival’s history, we wanted to start a comprehensive membership plan which will continue to evolve, giving Bermudians the opportunity to support the festival and receive considerable discounts on festival tickets, along with other benefits.

“The festival brings many international acts and features the very best of local talent. We certainly want more and more people to enjoy the robust programming.”

Chaka Khan and The Manhattan Transfer are among the star acts at the 44th Annual Bermuda Festival between January 19 and March 9, as well as local performers including Sheila Smith, Gita Blakeney Saltus, Heather Nova and Rebecca Faulkenberry.

The Festival’s 2019 Student Outreach Programme will start in January.

For more information about membership, visit: www.bermudafestival.org/festival/festival-memberships.

Festival tickets are on sale at www.ptix.bermudafestival.org.