No question, COVID has caused challenges for many industries, particularly the dining and entertainment sector.
That being said, thanks to imaginative organisers, enthusiastic audiences, and the added elements of vision and investment, 2021 has seen some truly extraordinary projects and events happening in Cayman.
It would be impossible to feature them all here, but let’s recall some of the highlights that made this year so memorable.
Cayman Cookout
Despite being unable to host the usual contingent of international celebrity chefs and cocktail experts at the 13th Annual Cayman Cookout, The Ritz-Carlton was determined to move ahead with the much-anticipated weekend of culinary celebrations. Focussing on local talent from 15-17 Jan., it included signature events like Rum & Robusto and the Bon Vivant Cook-Off. The latter pitted none other than Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee against Community Kitchen’s Kathy Gardner-Nicholson.
In the end, the judges couldn’t decide a winner, and so General Manager Marc Langevin promptly declared the Cayman Food Bank the victor, with the charity winning $5,000 in Kirk Market food cards and $21,000 in donations overall from the three-day food festival.
Songs and Stories with Iggy Pop
On 12 Feb., an unprecedented evening with Godfather of Punk Iggy Pop unfolded in front of an awestruck capacity crowd at the Harquail Theatre. Created as a fundraiser for Inclusion Cayman, the concert sold out in minutes, making it the hottest ticket in town.
Over several hours, Iggy shared entertaining stories about his career, the inspirations behind many of his hit songs, and – much to the delight of fans – the brilliance of his stage presence as he spontaneously got up to perform with local bands. Sugardaddi, Suckerbox, Clever Knots and Kuhyah knocked it out of the park on the night, playing a variety of tracks from Iggy’s discography, often bringing people to their feet and dancing where they stood.
Safe to say, anyone who was there will never forget it.
Hollywood in Cayman
We weren’t far into 2021 before bonafide Hollywood stars began appearing on the local scene. Thanks to a collaboration between Productivity Media, Darius Films, the Cayman Islands government, Dart, and – later in the year – Balcony 9 Productions, many Caymanians had the rare opportunity to gain firsthand experience working in the film industry. Storied names like Ron Perlman, Harvey Keitel, Nicolas Cage, Joel David Moore, Tom Felton, Lynn Whitfield, Jackie Earle Haley, Bob Saget, Rick Fox, and Cayman’s very own Grace Byers worked on set at various locations around the island. When not in front of the cameras, cast members frequented restaurants and hotspots, popping up on social media pages daily.
Those who got the chance to learn on the job and interact with the famous actors, as well as producers and directors, said it was an extraordinary experience, allowing them to realise the dream of pursuing a career in film.
Seaspice
In an effort to promote the restaurant industry, while raising money for Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) and Feed Our Future, the Cayman Islands Tourism Association launched its inaugural Seaspice event at The Kimpton Seafire’s Beach Deck on 13 March. Multiple booths representing some of Cayman’s finest dining establishments served up tasty treats, while legendary group Swanky Kitchen Band got guests out on the dance floor under the stars. One of the driving forces behind the event, Markus Mueri, dubbed it “a huge success”, hinting that he would be hoping to bring it back in 2022.
Cayman Art Week
Artists’ income has been hard-hit by the pandemic, and so Natalie Urquhart, director of the National Gallery, founded the Cayman Art Week project. Held from 7-10 July, it brought artists and potential buyers together through a programme of art exhibition tours, gallery events and open studios. “Cayman Art Week aims to shine a light on the vibrant gallery and studio sector through a comprehensive website, interactive art map and week-long celebration that encourages the sale of art,” Urquhart said in a press release at the time. Guests gathered at various venues in the Seven Mile Beach area, George Town and the eastern districts, mingling with painters, sculptors and photographers. The plan is to turn Cayman Art Week into an annual event.
BAND AID 2
After a wildly successful BAND AID concert in October 2020, organisers Epic Day Entertainment and Sound Solutions decided to partner once again for BAND AID 2, held at Macabuca on 24 July. Just as before, the schedule featured a long lineup of bands, including The Fabulous 68’s, JC Blues Band and The Neverines. Proceeds were donated to animal charity CARE, which desperately needed a new van for transporting the animals it assists. Thanks to a large turnout and hundreds of raffle tickets being sold, enough money was raised for the charity to get its transport, while giving audience members a terrific day of live music.
Gay pride
On 31 July, history was made in the Cayman Islands when the first Gay Pride Parade took to the streets – a vibrant, mobile rainbow of celebration and joy. Organised by the LGBTQ Foundation, the event featured hundreds of supporters who came out to participate, led by Premier Wayne Panton, Opposition representative Barbara Conolly and Governor Martyn Roper.
“Tolerance for everyone, equality and fairness, that is really important to me,” said the governor who, in September 2020, assented to a Civil Partnership Law, which made same-sex partnerships legal in the Cayman Islands.
A post-parade party was held at Palm Heights, with a DJ, dancers and other performers on the main stage throughout the night.
Carnival
With restrictions on gathering numbers, organisers of carnival events had to be creative. In order for CayMAS to hold its parade, the mas bands had to be split into two groups, with only those complying with vaccination requirements allowed to participate. On 7 Aug., a riot of colour made its way along West Bay Road heading north, with onlookers lined up on the pavements to watch the spectacle.
Carnival is usually held in May/June, but it had to be postponed in order to get permissions in place for it to go ahead. As a result, it was certainly a hotter collection of revellers this time around with temperatures well into the 90s, but as they say in theatre – the show must go on!
Galas
Although some charity galas had to be cancelled, due to COVID restrictions or concerns, others were able to modify their usual setup – moving outdoors from ballrooms – in order to raise much-needed funds. Although the Breast Cancer Foundation Gala, usually the biggest one of the year, had to be postponed, the foundation held A Very Pink Christmas at Grand Old House on 27 Nov. with carols being sung by members of the Cayman Drama Society, a performance by the Singrays, and a DJ with sax player Denys Carbo. The hope is for the gala to resume in October 2022.
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