Against the backdrop of parks, beaches and various outdoor venues across all districts of Cayman, more than 10 local storytellers have been confirmed for the popular international storytelling festival, Gimistory, to be held 24 Nov. to 2 Dec.
Storytellers will share traditional tales through stories, poems, song and music/dance at the festival, hosted by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. They will tell stories that “illuminate their heritage, stories that explore myths and legends, stories that provide laughter, drama and wonderment”, according to the CNCF website. “Their stories engage audiences and stimulate the imagination.”
Local performers Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette, Giselle Webb, Rita Estevanovich, Lesley-Ann Bernard, Hylton Grace, Stuart Wilson, King Navassa, Camille Angel, Reshma Sharma, Dreamchasers and Evana Martinez will join returning international storytellers, Amina Blackwood Meeks and Black Sage.
Auditions for the annual festival, which “enables cultural exchange through the oldest art form of storytelling”, were held in October, which Nicole Durrant, programmes coordinator at CNCF, said went well.
She added, “Though small in turnout, we were able to find some very talented storytellers to add to the lineup.”
Below is the Gimistory schedule (all events start at 7pm):
- Jefferson Beach, West Bay – 27 Nov.
- East End Public Beach- 28 Nov.
- Jerald Smith Park, North Side – 29 Nov.
- Coe Wood Beach, Bodden Town – 30 Nov.
- Savannah-Newlands playfield – 1 Dec. (two shows, at 7pm and 9pm)
- Smith Barcadere, George Town – 2 Dec.
Along with the range of new and original stories, music and dance, audience members can also enjoy friendly district fish fry competitions, which “features the best cooks from each district selected by their district committees to represent them”, Durrant said.
“What makes it different from other competitions is the cultural/heritage aspect where the cooks must use traditional ways of cooking everything on the caboose.”
Members of the public are invited to vote for the best ‘fry fish’ in each district.
Durrant said the decision for the most authentic and “great tasting fish and fritter” will be made by a secret panel of judges on the final night of Gimistory.
Related Videos
