Top Caribbean stars headline Cayman’s carnival

(CNS): The Wailers, famous all over the world having played with legendary reggae artist Bob Marley, are just one of a list of artists performing in Cayman this weekend as part of the islands’ annual carnival- Batabano. Now in its 28th year, the event has developed into a celebration of Caymanian and Caribbean culture through cuisine, music, dance and other arts. The premier, McKeeva Bush, said the Cayman Islands government was pleased to provide support for the national carnival which has, for almost thirty years, helped to diversify the tourism product. “Through this event, residents and visitors alike are able to enjoy a colourful Caribbean parade with the scenery of George Town and Seven Mile Beach as the backdrop,” he added.

Acting director of tourism, Shomari Scott said the carnival is an import showcase for the culture, heritage and flavour of the Cayman Islands drawing international attention.

The centre of the carnival the adult street parade, from West Bay Road into George Town, will take place on 7 May from 3pm when the streets will come alive with elaborate and colourful carnival costumes, rhythmic soca music and energetic bands all playing mas. The Food Festival and Street Fete will immediately follow the parade in the centre of George Town, and the public can taste the best in local delicacies including conch, lobster and crab.

Famed Trinidadian Soca Artiste Crazy is set to take the stage on Thursday night at the Masquerade Fete, which will take place at the local hot-spot call the Roof Top and will provide attendees with excellent cocktails and the best in soca music.

The Wailers will perform live on stage on Friday, 6 May at 6pm at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal in George Town. This promises to be yet another world class event by the group, which has performed in venues around the world for reggae enthusiasts. Later on that same evening, the International Flag Night is set to kick off at the Royal Palms at 9:00PM, where the leading soca band in the Caribbean, Kes, is scheduled to deliver a lively performance. The Trinidadian group’s music is a mixture of various genres such as calypso, rock and reggae.

An event package to attend both concerts will be made available and this will cover both entrance costs and shuttle transportation between the two.

The Children’s Parade takes place on 14 May to provide both participants and spectators with a great opportunity to engage in youth arts.

Art In the Heart highlights some of the most creative artwork developed by local artists while the Teen Jam will provide great entertainment for the teenagers to take part in the festivities, with their very own event and Song Competition which is expected to bring out the best vocalists in the country.

Cayman Carnival Batabano was first launched by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman in 1983 and has since grown into one of the premier cultural celebrations in the Caribbean. The festival’s name is centred on the term Batabano, which was used to describe the markings left by female turtles along sandy beaches, as they crawled out of the sea to lay eggs in various nesting sites. The carnival is comprised of many different events which are geared towards both adults and children.

For more information on Cayman Carnival Batabano, a full listing of events and how you can take part in the festivities, please visit the website at www.caymancarnival.com