Performers young and old played to a packed house at the Harquail Theatre on Sunday evening as part of Cayman Arts Festival 2025.
The event, billed as ‘Cayman Youth Choir and New York Cabaret Singers’, saw children ages 3 to 17 years old perform alongside acclaimed Broadway performers including KT Sullivan, Natalie Douglas, Jon Weber, Arbender Robinson and Carole J. Bufford.
In spite of being in such experienced company, there was no sign of nerves from the youth choir, led by musical director Naomi Allnutt. To the delight of the audience, which included Governor Jane Owen, the youngest group kicked off the evening with a spirited performance of ‘Hey Tiger’ and then were joined on stage by Broadway star Natalie Douglas for popular musical number ‘Do-Re-Mi’ from the Sound of Music.
Natalie Douglas, introduced on stage as a “force of nature”, lived up to her billing with a powerful rendition of Cole Porter’s ‘Begin the Beguine’ and, later on in the evening, a moving, soulful performance of Roberta Flack’s ‘The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face’.
Lighter musical moments were provided by experienced cabaret singer KT Sullivan, whose notes sparkled along with her dress as she brought Porter’s ‘It’s De-Lovely’ to life and ended with a New York City-themed medley of ‘Give My Regards to Broadway’, ‘Take Me Back to Manhattan’ and ‘I Happen to Like New York’.
The other members of the New York Cabaret Singers also brought heartfelt and talented performances to the Harquail. Carole J. Bufford arrived in finger-snapping style to ‘Too Darn Hot’ before paying the perfect tribute to Judy Garland with her signature song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Arbender Robinson also entertained and moved the audience in equal measures with his passionate deliveries of ‘Sentimental Journey’ and ‘Make Them Hear You’.
The night, however, belonged to the younger stars, who were wholeheartedly championed by the established players. The Middles and The Teens sung with style and confidence, with The Middles singing ‘Even When I’m Not’ and ‘Permission to Dance’ and the older age group delivering an ensemble performance of ‘Something So Strong’ and ‘Die with a Smile’.
The teenage soloists stole the show, with Jamie Foster singing a stylish ‘Almost There’ to a hushed auditorium and Aaron Perera looking every inch the professional as he delivered a moving and accomplished ‘Stand by Me’, supported in song by his peers. His performance received a standing ovation from audience members. These soloists are definitely ones to watch for the future.
‘I was captivated’
Returning for her fifth visit to the festival, Douglas told the Cayman Compass, “I love it, everything about [it]. I mean it’s fun obviously to come down here. Beyond that, I think the audiences here are so warm and welcoming.”
Douglas, who held a one-day workshop with nine high-school students, including Foster and Perera, prior to the performances, said, “They know how to sing, but what I do is help them make a connection with the audience. I was captivated by them all, and I would love to come down for a bit longer and have more time with the kids. I definitely see how receptive they are, and I know another day would take them further.”
She added, “It’s truly inspiring when we get the chance to see little kids and you remember where you were, and it fills me with joy. I’ve been singing since I was 4 … It’s been 50 years, and I love it every day.
“Making my living solely as a singer, based in New York, I travel all the time, but Cayman audiences are special. There’s a way in which the Cayman audiences, every time I’ve ever sang here, the way the audience appreciates music … and is open and welcoming to everything … You don’t find that everywhere you go … It’s inspiring.”
‘It’s an honour’
Intertwined in the high and low notes of the evening was New York City- and Chicago-based jazz pianist and composer Jon Weber.
His arrangement, performances and compositions have brought in critical and popular acclaim in many countries around the world. Weber told the Compass it was an “honour” to return to the Cayman Arts Festival stage.
“The people here are really music smart. The kids — nobody is telling them that it’s scary to get on stage. They get on stage and they’re very brave. They had it in them,” he said.
“I love the enthusiasm of the audience. I love the enthusiasm of the artists, the people who come in from New York and those we get to join with on stage and often meeting for the first time. Just watching the growth, watching people grow from the very first time they were kids to now … blossom and follow their potential and do something they love to do.”
When it comes to his love for music, Weber, who has been performing for over six decades said, “It’s the best kind of automatic pick-me-up.”
Cayman Arts Festival continues until Saturday, 15 Feb. For tickets and more information, check out their website.
Shanda Gallego contributed to this story.
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