Some 22 performers took centre stage at the Harquail Theatre for the annual Red Boat Experience, a celebration of the traditional Caymanian drum through improvisational performances.
Part of the annual Cayman National Festival of the Arts, known as Cayfest, the Red Boat Experience featured musicians, rappers, dancers, poets and storytellers on one stage creating new works, surrounding the story of ‘The Last Grasspiece’, written by Priscilla Pouchie, who narrated it along with Caymanian artist Nasaria Suckoo Chollette.
It explored the story of Calvin, a wayward son who returns home poor to Cayman from England and wants his father to give him his inheritance early in order to develop on the family land. Narrators then asked creatives to come up with new works related to that storyline on the spot.
The brainchild behind the event, held on Sunday, 16 March, is musician and multidisciplinary artist Randy Chollette, who told the Cayman Compass it’s his dream, vision and a “vehicle to channel my purpose as a creative and an artist”.
“The blessing to me is that all the performers are a part of that vision and give so freely of their inspiration and talent. This show feels spiritual, and the audience finds healing in experiencing it. It’s as if, for those short two hours, we are transformed by harmony. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Along with performers, audience members were invited to participate in the spiritual musical journey, as Chollette took them through breathing and Tai Chi exercises.
The backdrop of the performances was a colourful art piece, an expression of the human mind and soul, created by local visual artist Amrita Debnath.
“It’s a little bit about our Cayman Islands; our heritage is getting lost, so I portray fishermen and the people who are the main heart of our island.”
Debnath said she was pleased to be a part of the Red Boat experience for the first time this year.
“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of this show and to give some dimension of the human life – the music, dance, the visual art combined,” she added.
Red Sky at Night
This year’s Cayfest, which featured 20 days of poetry, music, film, visual arts and dance, will culminate this weekend with its anchor event, Red Sky at Night, on Saturday, 22 March at 4-11pm on the grounds of the Harquail Cultural Centre.
Residents and visitors will experience more than 50 local artists presenting a “dynamic mix of visual arts, music and theatre”, according to a Cayman National Cultural Foundation press release.
This year’s headlining act is Swanky Kitchen Band, the guardians of the Caymanian culture, who will take to the stage to celebrate the islands’ rich cultural heritage. Local band Heat will also be among the featured performers on the night.
Local artisans will be offering an array of creations, including jewelry, paintings and photography, and there will also be culinary treats from local vendors.
Tickets for Red Sky at Night are available online at ticketsplus.ky. They cost $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Tickets will be available at the gate on the day of the event from 3:30pm, costing $15 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.
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