Cayman Carnival Batabano 2015 Event Overview

Batabano Wednesday – Join us, Wednesday’s at Sky Lounge located on Mary Street for a night of sweet soca. From classic old school, to chutney and all the hits of 2015! Music by DVJ Carter.
Batabano Bar Hop – The Batabano momentum kicked off this year with our signature bar hop series. This initiative introduces the union between the Cayman Carnival Batabano committee and several locally owned bars on the island. Mas bands will have the opportunity to showcase their costumes at each of the participating bars and registration to jump in the various bands will offered. LIME, the presenting sponsor, will be offering some very exciting prizes at every stop.
Junior Batabano – The major sponsor is the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture. With their financial contribution the committee is able to provide the schools with costumes. There were 11 participating groups registered for the annual costume street parade for Junior Batabano this year.
Teen Jam – The Teen Jam this year was held at South Sound Community Centre. This event offered the teens a perfect opportunity to socialize in a safe, secured environment with added security. The committee had refreshments on sale, including burgers and sodas.
Le Masque – Thursday, April 30th, Batabano will host its annual Masquerade party at the historic Pedro St. James Castle. Each guest is presented a spectacular mask upon arrival at the champagne reception, which starts at 7pm. The evening offers an opportunity to personally thank all of our sponsors and pay tribute to them for their generous sponsorship and support of Batabano. The evening also allows us to show appreciation to the many volunteers who come together to make the carnival a reality each year. Featuring a full dinner buffet, which includes wine, this year’s attendees will be able to

experience a nice masquerade party that will “wine” down to a genuine Soca fete with a live performance by Lyrikal, AKA “Mr Cloud 9”. The event marks the OFFICIAL opening to Batabano and offers an opportunity for our government agencies and local business community to meet socially. Tickets for this event are C.I. $100.00.
Friday Fete – Friday May 1st, the King of Soca, Machel Montano, will descend upon our island! Bringing with him the FULL BAND and Dancers! This is a show for the history books, as he will also be joined by Angela Hunte!! Join us at the Festival Green at Camana Bay. Doors open at 8pm.
The Costume Street Parade will feature visiting stilt walkers, acrobats and female limbo dancers and will lead the parade in a colorful sea of happiness with music, masqueraders, floats and costumed individuals. The parade will start from Seven Mile Public Beach and head along West Bay Road and on through Harbour drive. Masquerade bands will compete for best overall band & “Spirit of Batabano” among other prizes.
International Food Festival – The International Food Festival continues this year with varieties of local offerings during the festivities of Saturday evening, following the Adult Costume Parade.
The Importance of Carnival
Statistics prove that carnivals worldwide are responsible for the highest economic yield per day to any given city. For example Miami carnival statistics prove that their carnival is the largest revenue source for any one day event. St Lucia took funding from agriculture and put it in to promoting carnival; it grossed more than agriculture ever did. We see our Caribbean neighbors gearing up for this industry as well as Asia, Europe, Australia and Japan. The Cayman Islands too can benefit from this tourism event.
Carnival is often declared to be the equalizer of people. It is a masked occasion when one expresses free-spirited movement adorned by beautiful costuming. Today’s activities spawn new friendships, business connections, new ideas and socio-economic development.
To revisit Batabano is to track 32 years of a tradition and a people’s vision and dedication to uphold a cultural event that is distinctively Caribbean.

MACHEL MONTANO BIOGRAPHY

Born November 24, 1974 in Port of Spain Trinidad, Machel Montano was destined to be great. Through his ever-evolving musical offerings, Machel works on his mission of depositing soca into the domain of mainstream music. Machel’s career began in 1982 at age seven; at age nine he formed his band, Pranasonic Express. Montano’s debut album “Too Young To Soca”, released in 1985, was an instant hit which earned rave reviews and standing ovations at live performances. In April of 1986, the young performer appeared on the popular television show, Star Search, bringing soca music to US national television.

One of Machel’s earliest and greatest achievements was his May 1984 appearance at Madison Square Garden in the Felt Forum in New York City at the age of 9. He was billed as a support act for the Mighty Sparrow and other top Calypsonians.

In 2008, Machel was awarded three titles, including the Bob Marley Award Entertainer of the Year at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at the

historic Apollo Theatre in New York. That year also found Machel receiving an award at the 1st Annual BET J Virtual Awards for Best Caribbean Artiste of the Year.

In January 2010, Machel became the first soca artiste to attain a headlining slot at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. On May 2, 2010 he made history as the only two-time recipient (2008) of The Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year at Martins International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). In May 2010, Machel, as special guest artiste for the U.S. shows, embarked on a 5-week tour with International Recording Artiste, Pitbull on his Mr. Worldwide Carnival tour.

Machel returned to Trinidad and Tobago carnival in 2011 after being absent in 2010. “The Return” concert was a return to the National Stadium to a sold out audience to witness the mother of all Machel Montano events. His return to the competition was spectacular where he emerged the Power Soca Monarch Champion 2k11 and also captured the prize for best presentation. The climax was his victory in the Road March. On the heels of Carnival he returned to Madison Square Garden in March 2011 another sold out event.

In 2012, Machel became a Triple Crown Winner, by winning the Groovy Soca Title and International Power Soca Monarch competitions. Carnival 2013 saw Machel Montano successfully defending his 2012 crown in the Power Soca Monarch (joint winner) and Groovy Soca Monarch.

Carnival 2014 brought Machel Montano continued success having won the Power Soca Monarch title with the hit “Ministry of Road” and further went on to take “Ministry of Road” all the way to Road March supremacy. “Ministry of Road” yielded even more success for Machel, as after being nominated twice for a Soul Train Award without a win, he brought home the award in November 2014 for Best International performance with “Ministry of Road.”

Machel began 2015 with a bang after he successfully defended his Power Soca Monarch title for the fifth time with the infectious song “Like ah Boss” which also won the coveted Road March title.

Machel is constantly working toward his mission of successfully ushering soca into the realm of mainstream music. He has toured extensively throughout out world to fulfill this mission. He has been pushing the envelope, trying to revolutionize soca and trying to improve its quality. While it is very difficult to bring this music to the mainstream and at the same time stay grounded at home he has created a sound that he believes is palatable to all markets and can play on the radio in rotation with other popular songs and genres. It is his dream to see soca being enjoyed in the international market. The mission continues and Machel is poised and focused on spreading soca music throughout the globe.

Batabano Key Points
Le Masque / Lyrikal LIVE in concert

Date/Time: Thursday 30th April – Le Masque from 7pm. Gates open for concert only attendees at 10pm.
Location: Pedro St James

Le Masque (Fundraiser Dinner):
Champagne reception at 7pm, dinner at 8pm
Full buffet dinner with wine
Silent auction
Steel pan
Show by Imagine Entertainers – featuring fire eaters, stilt walkers and limbo dancers

LIVE Concert featuring the legendary Dragonaires & Lyrikal, AKA “Mr Cloud 9”:
After dinner entertainment
Entry is included in the price of Le Masque tickets

Tickets:
Le Masque (inc. concert): $100 each or $1000 for a table of 10
Concert only (after 10pm): $20 in advance / $25 at the gate

The Official Cayman Carnival Batabano Friday Night Fete

Date/Time: Friday 1st May – Gates open at 9pm
Location: Festival Green, Camana Bay

Headline artist: “King Of Soca” Machel Montano
Also performing: Angela Hunte

International Hosts: EMAN & Dirty Dez (from Toronto)
Local artists:
Regeneration
FEVA
DJs:
DJ Soca Sweetness – Toronto
DJ Eternal Vibes – Trinidad
DJ Flex – Cayman
DVJ Carter LMP – Cayman

Tickets:
www.ticketgateway.com
Le Classique
Winners Circle
Funky Tangs
Reflections
General Admission: $55 in advance / $60 at the gate
VIP Admission: $100 in advance / $125 at the gate
*VIP admission includes: Front stage access, Batabano welcome rum & sampling station, finger foods complements of Margaritaville, corn-soup and air-conditioned bathrooms.

Road Parade

Date/Time: Saturday 2nd May, from 2pm
Starts from: Seven Mile Public Beach
Ends: Harbour Drive, George Town
Judging stations: Governors House, Lonestar, XQ’s and Harbour Drive

For more information:
www.caymancarnival.com

SPONSORS:
LIME (Presenting Sponsor)
Ministry of Tourism
Department of Tourism
Le Classique
Cayman Airways
Yabsta Digital
Cayman Compass
Intec
Spin 94.9 FM
Vibe 98.9 FM
Explore
Cayman Spirits Company
Securacore
Camana Bay
Margaritaville

IMAGES:
Machel Montano – Supplied
All others ieyenews.com