Story telling welcomed back

(CNS): Gimistory returned to the Cayman Islands this week as part of the Cayfest celebrations after missing its traditional appearance last year. The much loved entertaining festival for all the family has for years been scheduled in December, however, the decision to bring the festival under the CNCF’s annual cultural and arts festival means Gimistory will now be presented each year in April. The first performance for 2009 was in West Bay last night which included veteran teller Ken Corsbie (left)  and making his first appearance Belize teller Brad Pattico as well as local acts.

Despite competing with election meetings and campaign fever across the island it opened to a full house on the public beach and saw Pattico reveal his interpretations of traditional Belize folk songs as well as Corsbie do what he does best — make people laugh. The story telling festival which is free to enter continues throughout the island this week with the tellers visiting Pedro Castle this evening, East end public beach on Wednesday , North Side at Capt. Ned Miller’s yard on Thursday and then on Friday the story tellers split between Smith Cove in South Sound and Cayman Brac.

This year’s line up includes local tellers Auntie V, Nasaria Suckoo–Chollette, Twyla Vargas & Friends, Michael McLaughlin, Divine Bush and Priscilla Pouchie. Musical storytelling will be performed by guests from around the region including David Bereaux & Friends and Black Sage of Trinidad. Alongside the stories comes the traditional fried fish, fritters and swanky but this year the chefs will be competing for what is sure to become the coveted title of Best Fry Fish, Best Frittas or Best Swanky. The winning districts will be highlighted on Best of Cayman’s website and branded Best of Cayman at the entrance to the district.