The Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival is set to bring a cultural blend of comedy, song and folk tales to the islands this month.
The annual Gimistory festival, which will run alongside the national Pirates Week District Days for a series of shows, unites local and regional storytellers at unique cultural spots in the Cayman Islands, including the Sister Islands.
Cassandra Shea, head of theatre and festivals of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, said the festival will include a “diverse lineup of stories that range from Caribbean classics to chilling duppy tales”.
“These stories resonate deeply with people of all ages, and we’re excited to share them once again alongside the Pirates Week District Days,” Shea said in a newsletter.
“Whether audiences are hearing these tales for the first time or reminiscing about the stories their family used to share, this timeless art form resonates with audiences of all ages. Experiencing it live, in a community setting, adds an extra layer of magic that we hope everyone can take home.”
Organisers confirmed this year’s festival will include a “fresh crop of storytellers alongside our seasoned favourites”, including Wendee Miller, Giselle Webb, Lesley-Ann Bernard, Josefa and Evana Martinez, Martin Keeley and Nasaria Suckoo Chollette.
Local artist and performer Josefa Martinez, who has participated with the festival for over 20 years, told the Cayman Compass, “It is always an honour to participate in Gimistory, given that it is a unique festival and everyone in Cayman is always looking forward to it. It gives great joy especially to see the elderly as well as all folks come out and enjoy a Caymanian tradition.”
Artist and long-time participant Nasaria Suckoo Chollette told the Compass, “I’m excited for this year’s Gimistory Festival and eagerly preparing my stories for telling. Hosting the writing and performance workshops for younger tellers has been a very rewarding venture and I am humbled by the opportunity to share some of my experience with then.”
She added, “We are all conscious that we are serving our ancestors by continuing to pass downs the culture and the heritage of our storytelling past.”
A calypso storytelling workshop is also being planned, featuring George Jones, Kairi Kaiso and Black Sage on 19 Nov. at 6pm at the Harquail Theatre for anyone interested in sharpening their storytelling skills through rhythm, melody and performance.
Kairi Kaiso, an acoustic, traditional calypso band from Trinidad and Tobago, told the Compass that they’re delighted to participate in this year’s festival.
“Gimistory is noted for offering a valuable and long-standing platform for storytelling in its various forms … not only for tremendous entertainment purposes but also towards preservation of the art form. We’re truly grateful that calypso was given a space again this year, and we’re looking forward to bringing our very best through the music,” Kairi Kaiso said.
Trinidadian writer, performer and Calypso artist Black Sage will also contribute to the workshop.
He told the Compass, “Gimistory is a festival I always look forward to participate and perform [in]. The performers are great, Caymanian hospitality is excellent, the audiences are appreciative, the venues are interesting … overall a beautiful experience.”
All other shows begin at 7pm and will culminate with ‘Duppy Night’ on 22 Nov. at Smith’s Barcadere.
In its usual format, the festival will also host the fish fry competition during Pirates Week District Days, “a celebration of Caymanian cultural heritage”.
Along with the traditional showcase of district storytelling, CNCF said this year’s festival storytellers will be heading to local schools, to “inspire kids to discover and share their own stories on stage guided by the CNCF Culture Keepers and their ‘Give a Story’ campaign.”
Admission to the festival’s events is free.
Gimistory festival schedule
Monday, 11 Nov. – George Town on Cardinall Avenue
Tuesday, 12 Nov. – North Side at Old Man Bay Dock
Wednesday, 13 Nov. – East End Heritage Park
Thursday, 14 Nov. – West Bay Heritage Park
Friday, 15 Nov. – Bodden Town at Nurse Josie Centre
Friday, 22 Nov. – Smith’s Barcadere
For more, visit the CNCF website, the Pirates Week website, or visit CNCF’s Facebook page.
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