Grand
Cayman, Cayman Islands – 15 July 2019 – The
Caymankind spirit for which the Cayman Islands is world renown will
soon be on full display as the largest-ever Cayman contingent shares
its talents and expertise with our Caribbean neighbours. More than
50 delegates will travel to Trinidad & Tobago this summer to
represent the Cayman Islands at the 14th
Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) where they will showcase
the best of Cayman’s arts and culture on the largest regional stage
and make our country proud. From music, dance and theatre to visual
arts, culinary arts and heritage arts, CARIFESTA attendees will be
treated to several aspects of Cayman’s vibrant culture, and the
diversity of talent that exists within Cayman’s arts community.

This
extravaganza of Cayman culture will not be limited just to CARIFESTA
attendees, however. For two weekends only, the Cayman public will
have the opportunity to experience just a taste of what the Cayman
group will be taking to Trinidad. The Cayman National Cultural
Foundation (CNCF) is putting on four nights of music, dance and
theatre at the Harquail Theatre. The Cayman Islands' CARIFESTA
Showcase fundraiser will take place on Saturday, 20 July at 8:00pm
and Sunday 21 July at 6:00pm as well as Saturday, 27 July at 8:00pm
and Sunday, 28 July at 6:00pm.

The
first weekend (20 and 21 July) will feature music from the Local
Motion band, and dance performances from the combined Cayman dance
troupe, which comprises dancers from the University College of the
Cayman Islands, Dance Unlimited and Dreamchasers.

Local
Motion is the collaborative effort of local musicians representing
the cultural diversity that makes the Cayman Islands unique. Along
with lead vocalist and President of the Cayman Music Association,
Jean-Eric ‘Mr Notch’ Smith, the band is comprised of some of the
Caribbean’s finest and most experienced musicians, some of whom
were part of legendary Caribbean bands. Included in this remarkable
line-up of talented musicians is Jeff Japal, the keyboard player for
the world famous Tradewinds and George Jones, keyboard player and
founding member of top Barbadian soca band, Square One. Lead female
vocalist Vashti Bodden has been a top performer on the local scene
for several years and is the 2019 Cayman Islands’ reigning Soca
Monarch. The other members of the band are Robert Ebanks on drums,
Mitchell Ebanks on guitar and vocals, and Roger ‘Bugs” Wilson on
bass.

Dance
enthusiasts will be thrilled by the performances which will feature
modern contemporary dances, other popular genres showcasing a fusion
of British, Indian, African and Caribbean expressions, and a
colourful display of Cayman’s folk forms, choreographed by Dr.
MoniKa Lawrence, respected dancer, choreographer and
Assistant Professor and Artistic Director of the Performing
Arts at University College of the Cayman Islands.

On
the second weekend (27 and 28 July) the compelling drama “Downside
Up”, written by Frank S. McField and directed and designed by Henry
Muttoo, will feature the talents of Jevaughnie Ebanks, Jerrin Carter,
Troy Rodgers, Leslie-ann Bernard and Giselle Webb. Dr. McField is
acknowledged as Cayman’s foremost playwright, whose dramas often
reflect his extensive sociology background. CNCF’s Artistic
Director, Henry Muttoo, is one of the Caribbean’s foremost
theatre arts practitioners, and is a household name both here and
abroad for his award-winning work in the theatre, arts and cultural
practices. “Downside Up” examines the fate of a
family caught in a cycle of secrecy, domestic abuse and infidelity,
family dynamics that are not uncommon but are so often covered up.
CNCF advises audiences to consider parental guidance, as the themes
may not be suitable for very young children but trusts that the play
will spark discussion that will lead to a better understanding of the
issues it highlights.

“I
hope that the public will come out to the Harquail and support our
artists who are working hard to put on professional, dynamic and
meaningful performances. We feel it is important that our community
both gives encouragement to and is able to feel proud of Cayman’s
arts and culture ambassadors to the regional stage,” said Marcia
Muttoo, CNCF Managing Director. “CARIFESTA is a significant event
and forum for Cayman because it gives us an opportunity to
demonstrate to our neighbours, and visitors from more distant shores,
the wealth and uniqueness of Cayman’s arts and culture and
establish a greater international profile in the arts realm.”

Also
making the trip to Trinidad are chefs Brittanni Seymour, Timisha
Edwards, and Jessica Moore from Women in White; Caymanian filmmaker
Badir Awe; UCCI student trumpeter, Cameron Gilson, who will take part
in the Caribbean Youth Orchestra; Debra Barnes-Tabora from the Cayman
Islands National Museum; heritage crafters Ms. Carmen Connolly and
Isaac Jeralow Rankine; and storyteller Virginia “Auntie V”
Foster. Members of the contingent will be sharing their expertise
and giving demonstrations and workshops in their own individual
area/s of expertise.

About
CARIFESTA

Held every two to four years in various islands of
the region, CARIFESTA is the largest, most far-reaching and longest
running arts and culture festival in the Caribbean. It was created to
showcase the artistic richness, creativity and diversity of the
region and its Diasporas. The event attracts artists and culture
professionals from more than 30 countries in the region and has been
held 13 times across eight countries. Trinidad & Tobago, the 2019
hosts, have chosen the theme The Tangible
and Intangible – Connect, Share, Invest
for this fourteenth edition of CARIFESTA which takes place from 16 to
25 August.

The
Cayman Islands has been attending CARIFESTA since 1981, and the most
recent participation was in 2017 when a group of 38 delegates
representing seven disciplines – theatre, dance, fashion design,
visual arts, artefacts, literary arts, symposia and music –
travelled to Barbados to showcase and celebrate Cayman’s arts and
culture.

Tickets
for the Cayman Islands’ CARIFESTA Showcase are $25 per person per
show and are available at Fosters (Airport & Strand), Funky
Tangs, Healthcare Pharmacy Grand Harbour, the CNCF office or online
at eventpro.ky. For more information call 949.5477 or email
cncf@artscayman.org.