St. John’s Antigua- The Antigua & Barbuda Calypsonians’ Association has undergone a name change. It’s now to called Wadadli Calypsonians Association Incorporated.
The reason, according to president, Adelza “Lypstick” Sheridan: We had to get some things up to date and dealing with the Intellectual Property Office, we had to come up with a name change.”
She added that the former name wasn’t properly registered with the relevant authorities – a situation which rendered the association legally invisible.
“We had to get the whole things revamped so it would be totally legal,” she said. “If we’re being challenged in court or anything, we’re now legal or if we want to pursue a case about anything pertaining to the calypso, we can now challenge whoever the persons are…”
With this in mind, the body has incorporated all matters, documents and by-laws pertaining to the Antigua & Barbuda Calypsonians Association into the new entity, Sheridan said.
“All non-financial members need to bring their financial status updated by January 31 for the upcoming Carnival season,” the association’s president said.
The Wadadli Calypsonians Association Incorporated is a negotiating body, whose members are able to benefit from a cultural exchange programme, ongoing with St Kitts and Dominica for two years now. Under the initiative, members travel to the two countries to perform in their calypso tents and their artistes are hosted at Antigua & Barbuda’s shows.
“We also have the early prize release where the first five calypsonians to release are awarded prizes,” Sheridan said.