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| Tonicia Hodge - Martin (Queen Anastasia) President of the SKNFCA |
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis (October 23, 2006): In the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis female calypsonians have thrust towards the development of Calypso. Two (2) of fifteen (15) registered female calypsonians Tonicia Hodge - Martin, Queen Anastasia and Petra Vonder Newton, Princess P have implemented the first ever St. Kitts Nevis Female Calypso Association (SKNFCA).
According to Martin President of SKNFCA, the association is currently working hard on different projects that will not only benefit female calypsonians but all calypsonians in the Federation. "The association has been progressing very nicely over the past few months, and it gives 'the females' a great feeling seeing our plans being executed" said Martin.
In most of the regional island there is the presence of a Calypso association for the benefit of the calypsonians. "The Dominica Calypso Association (DCA) is one of the most powerful calypso associations in the region. They host many work shops that benefit both judges and calypsonian and they also control the calypso competition in Dominica" Martin went on to say that she would like the SKNFCA to follow in the footsteps of the DCA.
"Calypso have been the background of carnival since its inception back on the slave plantations and should be viewed
~~Adz:Right~~ as a priceless cultural antique that can be passed on to our children and our children's children" said Martin.
Martin also informed SKNVibes that the association will be implementing various levels of development programs for all registered SKNFCA calypsonians. She said that these programs will play a critical part in maintaining and also raising the quality of the calypsonian and calypsos in the Federation. She also emphasized that the association in its young state is going through a process and her along with the executive body and management, is more than confident that they will achieve success.
The SKNFCA is planning to host a workshop in the month of November to aid in the development of the female calypsonians, areas to be covered will be: Writing and Stage and Attire etc.
