Entertainers’ group in bid to embrace all players

The Barbados Association of Calypsonians and Artistes (BACA) has changed its name but to better reflect the sector and not just calypsonians alone.

Keeping the acronym, the new name is the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA).

President of the association, Sean Apache Carter, explained that the need to be even more inclusive became even more apparent amidst the COVID-19 environment where numerous entertainers across the island were unable to work and as such, reached out to the association for assistance.    

“Some members contended that the original name gave the impression that the association was primarily for, and about calypsonians. This change will help to dismiss this misconception and further assist the association in recruiting new membership as it grows and progresses”, he said.

The meeting also saw a first for the association with all voting taking place using an online poll on Sunday, December 13. A two-thirds majority was required by the constitution of the association to effect this change.

Using an online app, members were allowed to vote anonymously with the live results being displayed.  These indicated that 90 per cent voted in favour of the change to the name of the association.

Along with the name change Anderson Mr. Blood Armstrong was elected Public Relations Officer. The post was previously filled by Ronnie The Announcer Clarke who resigned.

Mr Blood, a former Calypso King, Party Monarch winner and radio personality on the 100 per cent Bajan station 94.7, The Best 24/7, will have his hands full at the beginning of 2021 as two of BACA’s many initiatives will get underway in January.   

These include a weekly BACA radio show which is planned for the second week of the New Year. This show which will promote creatives and artistes of all genres, will seek to also allow producers, composers and arrangers, individuals who are often behind the scenes, the opportunity to share their stories and the history behind their projects, with the public.

The radio show is also expected to introduce new, young and upcoming talent from within BACA’s membership, to Barbados and the world. These will include some of its newest members, well-known Junior Calypsonians and Soca Artistes, who have been given free membership for their first year.

Don Ross Oliver and Asher Dynamo Murrell who featured in the inaugural Junior Soca Monarch competition (the latter emerging as the winner) were two of the first juniors to come on board. The first episodes of the BACA Radio Show will serve to recognise the contributions of four stalwarts of calypso who have passed within the last few years.  These individuals will also be honoured by BACA at the end of January in a tribute show.

The tribute show, Gems Gone: A tribute to our Calypso Heroes is scheduled for Sunday, January 31st at 7 p.m at the Roy Byer Centre.
(IMC)