Cayman’s Got Talent – and throughout April the general public will have ample opportunity to see this.

Cayman’s National Festival of the Arts, better known as Cayfest, kicked off towards the end of March and will run until 1 May. The festival aims to showcase some of Cayman’s finest artists and performers through a number of events which are open to the public. The programme, organised by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, includes shows, exhibitions, concerts and dance performances designed to encourage and nurture home-grown talent, giving them the chance to shine, and providing great entertainment for the less talented masses at the same time. 

Financial cutbacks mean that this year’s Cayfest is smaller than it has been in the past, and some regular features have been cut from the programme. However, there is still plenty on offer, covering a diverse range of artistic endeavours. 

Photography

An exhibition of winning entries in the photography competition marked the start of the festival on 24 March at George Town public library. On 4 April the exhibition begins a tour of the districts, with the photos being displayed for several days in each of the public libraries in Grand Cayman before exhibitions in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. 

Rundown

Cayman’s most popular comedy review returns to the stage this year, and, after a year’s hiatus, is more eagerly anticipated than ever. Rundown returns with more gentle satire, light hearted social commentary and lots of laughs. The show will run for three weekends, starting on 25 March at the Harquail theatre, and ending with a final performance in Cayman Brac. 

Culture Jam

Anyone hiding their light under a bushel will have an opportunity to show off their hidden talents at Culture Jam on 15 April. While there will be a core of regular performers, be it poets, singers or musicians, any spectator wanting to get up and get involved will be able to do so at this open mic event held at Camana Bay.

Film Premiere

On 16 April the red carpet rolls out for Cayman’s budding movie makers’ premiere. The finalists in a short film competition open to 10 to 15 year olds were invited to attend a film making workshop. The short films made after the workshop will be screened for the first time at the Harquail theatre and the winner announced that night. 

Dance 

Alchemy and Potpourri is the title of this year’s dance production, in which various local dance schools have come together to put on a show that will be a fusion of dance forms. The performance will take place on 17 April at the Harquail theatre. 

Mind’s Eye

A fundraising concert will take place at the Mind’s Eye cultural heritage site, home of visionary artist Miss Lassie, on 29 April. Restoration work has now begun on both the structure and the artwork that covers the interior walls and ceilings of this historic house so this soft opening celebrates the achievements so far, and also seeks to raise money for continuation of the project. The Cayman Islands Folk Singers will be performing, and attendees will be able to view some of Miss Lassie’s paintings as well as see how the ongoing work is progressing.

Treasure Hunt

Cultural clues dotted around George Town will lead participants on a hunt for hidden booty in the Cultural Treasure Hunt, presented by the Department of Tourism. Open to all, the hunt will start at the cruise ship port at 10am and there will be prizes up for grabs for those who can decipher the clues most swiftly.

Folk Singers

Cayfest closes with Music Unplugged, a concert by the Cayman Islands Folk Singers, on 30 April and 1 May. The folk singers were very well received when they made their debut last year, only two months after forming the band. In the ensuing year they have continued their task of preserving Caymanian folk music for future generations, taking it one step further, and truly keeping a cultural tradition alive, by writing their own songs. 

Entry to many of the events at Cayfest is free of charge and it is an excellent way of showing support for local artists and keeping culture and tradition alive.    WH

The programme includes shows, exhibitions, concerts and dance performances designed to encourage and nurture home-grown talent

For more information on the event, visit artscayman.org.