Gimistory? No, not until next year

(CNS): One of Cayman’s most loved family festivals won’t be happening this year as Gimistroy faces a permanent rescheduling. According to the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), it is moving the International Storytelling Festival to April to coincide with Cayfest – The Cayman Islands National Arts Festival and away from what is fast becoming one of the year’s busiest months for entertainment.

The CNCF said that Gimistory will become a signature event of Cayfest and will remain a travelling show with performances in the districts.  The move was made with a view of making the best use of resources, enhancing Cayfest and also because of the proximity of so many major events to Gimistory’s traditional dates. 

Since 1998 Gimistory has run for one week in late November  atradition maintained even after Hurricane Ivan but in recent times the CNCF says that November has become a very busy month for entertainment.

Pirates Week which involves a number of CNCF staff has also moved to November and next year it begins even later in the month November it closer to what would have been the Gimistory week. Jazz Fest has also been overlapping with the story telling festival as well as the Rotary Central Music Extravaganza and Taste of Cayman all bumping up against it.  

“With such major events taking place in close proximity of the storytelling festival it was thought best to look for new dates for Gimistory,” said CNCF. “Cayfest was a logical choice — one reason being that incorporating Gimistory into Cayfest offers an opportunity to make the best use of resources in these tough economic times when everyone must do some belt tightening. Gimistory is envisioned as a major Cayfest event that gives an added dimension and impetus to the overall festival.” 

Becoming part of Cayfest means a reduced scheduled for Gimistory. However, the districts will have a Gimistory show. The reduced schedule will only affect the greater George Town area, which previously had performances at Dart Family Park, Elizabethan Square and Smith’s Barcadere. Instead, George Town will have one performance. The 2009 dates for Gimistory are April 20 – 24.  

Cayfest offers three weeks of entertainment with performing, literary, culinary, and visual arts; a fashion show of original designs; a catboat regatta; films and cultural discussionin Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. Cayfest 2009 is from April 15 through May 3.  Volunteers are needed to produce the festival both in performing and support capacities. People wishing to be a part of Cayfest and Gimistory by volunteering can call 949-5477 or email admincncf@candw.ky.