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Cayman Carnival Batabano was launched in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Held annually during the end of April and/or the beginning of May, Batabano is one of the Cayman Islands most popular festivals.

"Batabano" was the original name of Cayman Carnival, chosen as a salute to Cayman's turtling heritage - Literally, Batabano refers to the tracks left behind in the sand as turtles drag themselves along the Cayfest and Batabanoes to nest. Finding turtle tracks on the Cayfest and Batabano was and still remains a good enough reason to warrant celebration in the Cayman Islands and so Cayman Carnival Batabano continues, year after year.

Batabano is a true Caribbean tradition - a cultural kaleidoscope of music, dance and pageantry with roots mirroring the region's diverse history of African and religious influences. Batabano's colorful costumes reflect the vibrant landscapes and traditions of the Cayman Islands, while the music beats the very rhythm of life in the Cayman Islands.

From Trinidad and Tobago, to Jamaica and the Virgin Islands, carnival is the Caribbean's cultural expression of the arts. Cayman Islands Carnival Batabano has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception and now requires a tremendous amount of coordination every year. While Rotary remains a major sponsor, Batabano is now organized by an independent committee of local volunteers, chaired by Donna Myrie-Stephen since 2001. Under Mrs. Myrie-Stephen's leadership, the committee renamed the carnival "Cayman Carnival Batabano", which also carried efforts to bring the look and feel of Batabano events more in line with traditional Caribbean carnivals.

In response to the growing interest of local schools for student participation in the street parade, the committee introduced "Junior Carnival" in 2002 as part of the overall one-day street parade. However, the continued growth and development of the Juniors prompted the committee in 2005 to launch a stand-alone street parade for Cayman's youth called "Junior Carnival Batabano", which takes place the weekend before the adult parade. The objective of developing the Junior Carnival is to create a safe environment for teenagers to play mas and to place more emphasis on teaching the students the art of costume-making for generations to come.

Thousands of visitors flock to the streets every year to watch and celebrate Batabano and now Junior Carnival Batabano. Major corporate sponsors continue to come forward in support of this cultural event, while the Ministry of Education and the Education Department offer their endorsement and sponsorship of the Junior masqueraders. The energy of Cayman Carnival Batabano is electrifying. Districts and corporate groups join together in costume to compete for prizes as the design and choreography become more elaborate each year. It is a time to celebrate the Cayman Islands beautiful local surroundings; to display the creativity of the people of Cayman; to voice Cayman's social issues and most importantly — to party and have fun!

Batabano Schedule of Events:

April 25th – Junior Batabano 3pm George Town

April 30th – Masquerade fete – Pedro St. James

May 1st – Friday night fete International soca

May 2nd – Costume Street Parade – Street dance and Food Festival – George Town

More information – Phone: 949-7121 Email: batabano@caymancarnival.com Fax: 949–7604

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Cayfest Schedule of Events:

April 13 – 17 Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase…………. National Gallery 6pm Free Admission Screenings of independent films from around the Caribbean.

April 15 Clip Art ………………………………………Cayman 27 television Cable Channel 12 Time: 6:30pm to 10:00pm Sponsored by Cayman 27 An evening of Cayman video productions.

April 16 to 25 Art & Photography Exhibition & Sale ………….Harquail Theatre 2pm to 7pm Mon.- Sat. Exhibition opening on April 16 is at 7pm. An exhibition of select paintings, sculptures and photographs from local artists.

April 16 Cayfest Caboose…………………………………..Daybreak, Cayman 27 TV Cable Channel 12 7am Sponsored by Cayman 27 Traditional and nouveau Caymanian cuisine cooking demonstrations.

April 17 Literary Reading & Culture Jam.........................5:30pm... Readings from the winning entries in the Cayfest Literary Competition and presentation of awards followed by a commemoration of CNCF’s 25th anniversary at Abacus and then musical performances interlaced with open mic segments at Gardenia Court.

Adults only after 7pm Schedule: 5:30pm Literary Reading & Awards – Books & Books 7pm Commemorate CNCF’s 25th Anniversary - Abacus 8pm Culture Jam – Gardenia Court

April 18 Catboat Regatta ……………………………………Public Beach, Seven Mile Beach 11am to 4pm Free Admission Sponsored by Dart Realty & Cayman National Cayman’s tradition of racing catboats LIVES! A day of fun, music, food and racing at the beach for the whole family.

Dance Vibes ………………………………………..Harquail Theatre 7pm Tickets: $10 Adults $5 School age children Ballet De La Television Cubana; Dance Unlimited and Barnes Dance Academy perform in an exciting evening of dance.

April 19 Dance Vibes…………………………………………Harquail Theatre 6pm Tickets: $10 Adults $5 School age children Ballet De La Television Cubana; Dance Unlimited and Barnes Dance Academy perform in an exciting evening of dance.

April 20 Cayfest On Air………………………………………Radio Cayman 89.9FM Time: TBA Sponsored by Radio Cayman A panel discussion of various cultural topics.

Gimistory…………………………………………….West Bay Public Beach 7pm Free Admission Sponsored by C.I. Department of Tourism & CLICO Storytelling for everyone in the traditional style and musically.

April 21 Cayfest On Air……………………………………..Radio Cayman 89.9FM Time: TBA Sponsored by Radio Cayman A panel discussion of various cultural topics. Gimistory……………………………………………Pedro St. James 7pm Free Admission Sponsored by C.I Department of Tourism & CLICO Storytelling for everyone in the traditional style and musically.

April 22 Cayfest Caboose…………………………………..Daybreak, Cayman 27 TV Cable Channel 12 7am Sponsored by Cayman 27 Traditional and nouveau Caymanian cuisine cooking demonstrations.

Gimistory……………………………………………East End Public Beach 7pm Free Admission Sponsored by C.I. Department of Tourism & CLICO Storytelling for everyone in the traditional style and musically.

April 23 Cayfest On Air………………………Radio Cayman 89.9FM Time: TBA Sponsored by Radio Cayman A radio presentation of Caymanian stories.

Gimistory……North Side @ Capt. Ned Miller’s Yard 7pm Free Admission Sponsored by C.I. Department of Tourism & CLICO Storytelling for everyone in the traditional style and musically.

April 24 Cayfest On Air……………………Radio Cayman 89.9FM Time:TBA Sponsored by Radio Cayman A radio presentation of Caymanian stories.

Gimistory……………………………………Smith Cove 7pm Free Admission Sponsored by C.I. Department of Tourism & CLICO Storytelling for everyone. It’s duppy night. Stories of duppies and ghosts.

April 25 Praise ……………………………………………….The Governor’s Residence 7pm Free Admission Gospel music performed by church choirs, groups and individuals from various congregations.

Lights Camera Action…………………………….Harquail Theatre & Harquail Studio Time: 9am-6pm Free Admission A mini film festival of children’s films from around the Caribbean region. Some are with English subtitles.

April 26 Fresh! Cayman Couture …………………………Harquail Theatre 6 pm Sponsored by Cayman Islands Film Commission A fashion show featuring original creations by Cayman’s designers with special guest Uzuri International Designs.

April 27 Granny Backyard …………………………………Island 24 Cable Channel 9 TV Time: 8pm Sponsored by Island 24 “The Cayman I Know”… A panel of varied backgrounds discuss Cayman from their individual perspective.

April 28 Cayfest Caboose…………………………………..Daybreak, Cayman 27 TV Cable Channel 12 7am Sponsored by Cayman 27 Traditional and nouveau Caymanian cuisine cooking demonstrations.

April 29 Distinguished Lecture…………………………….Harquail Theatre Time: 7 pm Tickets: $15 Speaker: Dave Martins – This renowned Caribbean singer, musician, writer and humorist speaks on CULTURAL IDENTITY – Finding A Voice To Stand On.

Granny Backyard ………………………………….Island 24 TV Cable Channel 9 8pm Sponsored by Island

24 “The Cayman I Know”… A panel of varied backgrounds discuss Cayman from their individual perspective.

April 30 Cayfest Caboose…………Daybreak, Cayman 27 TV Cable Channel 12 7am Sponsored by Cayman 27 Traditional and nouveau Caymanian cuisine cooking demonstrations.

May 2 An Evening of Classical Performance.............. Harquail Theatre 8 pm Tickets: $40 Dress: Formal A benefit performance for the Restoration of Miss Lassie’s House featuring a classical viola solo performance by Matthew Daline followed by Izumi Ashizawa in a one act play about a man-killing old lady performed in a classical Japanese theatre style.

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