By Kisean Joseph
The popular Antigua’s Got Talent show is set to make its return next month, with all proceeds going to support the PAAWS Animal Shelter, currently facing closure due to financial difficulties.
The third edition of the talent competition will take place on Saturday, December 14th at Lucky Eddi’s in English Harbour, featuring a professional stage and sound system. The event will be hosted by Ibis the Livest, with participants performing before a live audience and celebrity judges.
“We’re thrilled to bring Antigua’s Got Talent back for its third edition,” said PAAWS PRO, Gemma Handy. “After launching in 2019, we had hoped to make it an annual event, but COVID forced us to postpone our second show until 2022. Now we’re back and more determined than ever to make this our most successful event yet.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical for PAAWS, which has been operating its shelter in Parham for 21 years and serving the community for almost three decades. The shelter currently houses nearly 60 dogs and 30 cats in need of permanent homes.
“PAAWS exists solely on donations, and unfortunately, its finances have plummeted to such dire levels that the shelter is currently facing closure,” Handy said. “Every cent raised from the show will go directly towards keeping that shelter operational.”
Previous editions of Antigua’s Got Talent have showcased a diverse range of performers, from singers and dancers to musicians and unique acts. “We’ve seen some fabulous talent displayed in the last two editions,” said Handy. “We even had somebody painting to music. Any kind of talent will be welcomed.”
Registration for the event is now open to non-professional performers aged 16 and over. “We’d like to encourage people to sign up,” Handy urges. “Whether you’re a singer, dancer, musician, or have any other special talent, we want to see what you can do.”
The competition will feature attractive prizes for the top three winners, and organizers are also planning a luxury raffle to be drawn on the night. Handy emphasizes that the event promises to be more than just a competition: “We’d like to appeal to the general public to come out and support it, show their support to the performers, cheer them on, and it promises to be a fun and vibrant show.”
Interested participants can register by sending a WhatsApp message to 789-2662. The registration deadline is December 10th.
