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The 2023 Cayman Arts Festival gets under way next week, launching a series of performances by acclaimed international musicians as well as outstanding local artists.

In addition to musical events in a variety of genres - including jazz, cabaret and classical - this year’s festival also features the musical drama, “Sold - The Story of Mary Prince,” as its final performance.

Cayman Arts Festival Executive Director Marius Gaina said this year’s festival involved an expanded slate of events.

“This year, the event is larger than in previous years, with nine events taking place at six different venues between 2 February and 26 February,” he said. “The lineup is star-studded and includes superb local talent as well.”

Since its inaugural event in 2004, the Cayman Arts Festival has continually brought highly accomplished musicians to Grand Cayman while fostering local musicianship through various education initiatives. This year will be no different.

“All of the visiting artists conduct workshops, master classes or concert demonstrations for the benefit of Cayman’s youth, which has always been a key focus for the Cayman Arts Festival,” said Gaina.

Some of the acclaimed visiting performers this year include noted jazz pianist Jon Weber, Cabaret singers Natalie Douglas and Gabrielle Stravelli, classical guitar superstar Alexandra Whittingham, the Julliard Jazz Duke Ellington Ensemble and Peter Donohoe, one of the UK’s - and the world’s - most renowned classical pianists.

Joining the visiting performers are a slate of the Cayman Islands’ most talented musicians, including jazz pianist Beneil Miller, flamenco guitarist Nathan Herrera, the Cayman National Choir and Orchestra and the Swanky Kitchen Band among others.

The musical drama “Sold - The Story of Mary Prince” at the Harquail Theatre on 26 February features actor Amantha Edmead and the UK drama troupes Knumba Nia Arts and Unlock the Chains Collective. This poignant drama tells the story of one woman’s spiritual struggle to overcome the brutality of slavery in the mid-19th century.

For more information and a schedule of all the performances or to purchase tickets, visit caymanartsfestival.com or the Cayman Arts Festival Facebook or Instagram pages. Tickets for each event are US$30 for adults and US$10 for students.