Donna Myrie-Stephen, Chairperson of the Batabano Committee, dazzled in her
costume.  Photos by Christopher Tobutt.

Twenty-five years after its inception, Cayman Carnival Batabano continues to enliven the streets of George Town with dazzling colours, link Cayman with its Caribbean neighbours and contribute as an economic and tourism landmark.

This year, Batabano drove hundreds of revellers and spectators alike, beginning with the Junior Carnival, on to the Masquerade Fete, the Friday Night Fete and culminating with the Adult Carnival.

Masquerade Fete

The Masquerade Fete, the first major event on the annual Batabano calendar, took place on Thursday, 1 May at Pedro St James Castle.

Tim Adams, CEO of Cable and Wireless, welcomed the guests, and expressed his pleasure at being able to support the Batabano events.

As has become a tradition at the Fete, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires provided their unique blend of Reggae, Mento, Soca, and sometimes, even a little rock ‘n’ roll too, and encouraged everyone to dance.

Unfortunately, Byron Lee himself, who started the band nearly half a century ago in Jamaica, was unable to be there, but as Donna Myrie-Stephen, Chairperson of the Batabano Committee commented, at the time, ‘I’m sure he is with us in spirit.’”

As the evening progressed, and after everyone had eaten enough, inhibitions got lost as everyone, no matter their age, got up on the dance floor and did whatever dance the lead singer was telling them to do.


Friday Night Fete

Machel Montano kicked off the 2008 Batabano festival in grand style as hundreds of residents and visitors came out to party with the Soca King. “My quest is to make people happy and to make them wine and have a good time…”

At a press conference held hours before the Batabano concert, Machel was eager to express his gratitude to the event sponsors “First of all, I would like to thank all Caymanians for welcoming me, and the Batabano Committee and Cable and Wireless for inviting me”.

He went on to say “I look forward to being much more active in Cayman. I would like to see Caymanian singers rise and make their name because there are lots of talented youths here.”

Machel Montano, the Trinidad born soca star, started his singing career at age seven and has been trying to revolutionize soca by bring our unique Caribbean music to the mainstream and continuously improving its quality. “We have created a sound that we believe is palatable to all markets and can play on the radio in rotation with other popular songs. That is a dream I have always had and something I look forward to achieving.”

While Machel Montano was the main attraction at the 2008 Batabano concert, he certainly wasn’t the only attraction. Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, no strangers to Cayman, created quite a stir throughout the crowd as the lead singer Oscar B and the band gave Caymanians another one of their best performances.

Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy and Zan also, entertained the large crowd with their hypnotising performances.

As droves of entertained fans walked back to their cars after the show, Cayman Net News reporters were able to get some instant reviews “That was the biggest concert I have ever been to, and it was entertaining from start to finish”.

“All the performances were fantastic, I don’t think I have ever seen this many people at a concert in Grand Cayman before.”

“I hope that wasn’t a once in a lifetime experience, because I certainly enjoyed that concert”.


Adult Parade

The annual Batabano parade, which took place on Saturday, 3 May, once again entertained enthusiastic onlookers with an explosion of colours and sounds.

The marchers set off just outside the Marquee cinema and finished at the waterfront in the centre of George Town.

The parade was led by the band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, who have appeared regularly in Batabano for several years running, although this year Mr Lee was unable to take part.

Behind them came the men on stilts, skilfully walking amongst the crowd, and a juggler, giving the carnival a circus feel.

Once again, the parade showcased a variety of themes.

The Cable & Wireless team sported sparkling blue and silver costumes, reflecting the colours of the sea around Cayman.

‘The Chicken Run’ - a familiar sight for the past few years - returned with funny chicken and rooster costumes.

Other themes included the Roman Centurions, which featured a huge costume with wings that stretched across the width of the entire road.

A crowd favourite was a group of Marvel Comic characters, better known, perhaps, through their recent Hollywood incarnations. Spider Man, Batman and Robin, and Wonder Woman all joined forces to enhance the carnival spirit.

Amongst the superheroes, there was also a villain, a shady character dressed as the cartoon version of a burglar, with a big sack full of “stolen” goods, which he then tried selling to members of the crowd.

He elicited laughs by pulling a pair of ladies’ pink shoes out of the sack, and tried to give them to a man who was standing at the side of the road.

The parade finally ended at the waterfront, where there were plenty of refreshments for all the tired, yet happy revellers.


Batabano 2008 Adult Carnival Winners

1st Place
Caribbean Callaloo - The Art of War    

2nd Place
Cable and Wireless - Connecting Cayman    

3rd Place
Ministry of Education - Nautica        

Best Corporate Group
Cable and Wireless - Connecting Cayman      
Spirit of Batabano
Vibe - All Nations, One Celebration     

Best Female Individual
Raging Tidal Princess - from the band Nautica -  Ministry of Education   

Best Queen
Princess of Persia - from the band The Art of War -  Caribbean Callaloo

Best King
Conquest of Cassius - from the band  The Art of War -  Caribbean Callaloo