< Previous8 LIVE MUSIC Cayman Cayman’s musical talent is a feast for the ears When passing by the bars and restaurants of Cayman in the evenings, it is likely you will hear the dulcet tones of live musicians, wafting through the air. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to live music on-island, with every night of the week offering a chance to see and hear a different artist, no matter what district you are in. Here are just a few. DAN EBANKS Dan Ebanks is a popular choice for music fans, with many remembering his previous moniker Danny Loops. Playing pop/top 40 and a mix of reggae and blues with a smattering of rock, Dan plays both covers and original songs. Recently he has been signed to record label Everheart Records, so he is definitely a local artist worth keeping an eye, or ear, on. Coming from a musical family, Dan dabbled in a variety of instruments before truly finding passion with his guitar. He is inspired by artists such as Tash Sultana and John Mayer, but creates a distinctive sound all his own, even presenting as a full band by using a live looping station. Expect much more music to be released by him soon due to his record label signing. Dan has performed at large events such as Taste of Cayman and Capella alongside UB40, Kes the Band, Leanne Rimes and Koffee. Regular gigs take place at the Holiday Inn on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and at Agua on Saturdays, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Dan.Ebanks dannyloopsmusic Dan Ebanks Music available on all major platforms. AGOUTI STEW Formed as an offshoot of the Fabulous 68s two years ago, Agouti Stew are billed as Cayman’s only New Orlean’s style hot jazz, folk and blues act. The original members of the band are Chris Sanchez on vocals and guitar, Adam Cummins on snare drum, Charity Putman on tuba, Michael Wilks on bass, and Freya Jane on clarinet, saxophone and ukulele. About one-third of a typical set is original songs written by Sanchez, such as ‘Shake, Shake, Clouded Clarity’ and ‘Long Way to Nashville’. Cover songs performed are from the 1920s and 1930s from such artists as Fats Waller, Leroy Carr and Leon Redbone. The band is currently recording ‘Circus Devils’ and the tune ‘Agouti Stew’ has been performed live in the Z99 studio for the past two years to promote Agouti Day at the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary. Dan Ebanks9 Z99 CAYMAN LOCAL ARTIST PODCAST Check out the Cayman Local Artist Series on Z99. Available as a podcast, Tim & Teri feature Cayman’s diverse and talented local artist community with studio conversations and song premieres. Recent artists featured have included Cam Kline, Coma Stone, Stuart Wilson, and Fa$hen. Besides corporate and local events, catch the band weekly at the Cracked Conch on Saturdays and once monthly, Thursdays, at Door No. 4. While Chris’s songs which predate the band can be purchased on all digital retailers, the Agouti Stew versions, as well as new material, are presently being recorded, so will be available soon. agoutistew agoutistew chrissanchezmusic.com HI TIDE If you’ve been on-island for more than fi ve minutes, you will be familiar with Hi Tide. First formed in 1993 as a fi ve-piece group, the now duo (with occasional guest musicians) is still going strong. Sean Hennings plays drums, guitar and provides background vocals, while Shane Allenger is lead vocalist and plays congas and keyboard. With 13 albums under their belts this easy listening acoustic group also describe their genre as ‘pop songs with a tropical twist’. They perform both original songs and covers, with some of their most popular originals being ‘Love you more’, ‘Wait’, ‘Open Invitation’, and ‘Begin Again’. A new single, ‘Island in the Sun’, is due to be released soon, and Sean and Shane are also busy co- writing and recording with artists in Nashville, Tennessee, so keep an ear out for more tunes soon. Catch them island-wide, with regular gigs at Ms. Piper’s on Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., the Westin lobby on Fridays, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m., and Abacus on Saturdays, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. hi_tide_music_345 Hi Tide hitidemusic.com Music available on all streaming and download platforms Members of Agouti StewHi Tide8 Contact t: 928-0707 e: hello@myhomevet.ky w: myhomevet.ky Caring for our fur babies in this tropical paradise has never been simpler than with My Home Vet coming to your own home. Dr. Andreea Sleahtenea and her highly experienced team of caring professionals deliver a multitude of services such as general exams, travelling services, physiotherapy, palliative care, and end of life care, without the waiting rooms. “Pet care isn’t just about vaccinations and prescriptions,” Dr. Andreea explains. “It is about developing a relationship with both the patient and their human. Visiting our patients in their own homes is the best way for us to understand and meet their needs.” My Home Vet’s dedicated team brings ideas and experience from all over the world: Cayman, Romania, South Africa, Great Britain, and Namibia. Flexibility, responsiveness, and ef ciency are the foundation of this highly dynamic team. Covering the entirety of Grand Cayman, and even the Sister Islands upon request, My Home Vet endeavours to resolve pet problems with as much nancial prudence as possible in our current economic climate— they even offer telemedicine appointments to help keep simpler consultations cheaper. Heartgard, Nexgard, Revolution, and dozens of other medicines are always in stock and ready to be delivered to your door whilst this groundbreaking team tours the island every weekday to help their uffy friends. Veterinary care with a concierge flair SPONSORED CONTENT O ering veterinary care with a concierge fl air, Grand Cayman’s favourite mobile vet service truly brings the vets to your pets. • Mobile veterinary services and physiotherapy • Convenient and highly cost-e ective for multi-pet households • Friendly and professional sta Enjoy the Finest Personalised Care at Orthodontics At Cayman Dental Services T: 345-949-5090 W: caymanorthodontics.com Located in Camana Bay Now with extended offi ce hours Specialising in beautiful smiles for all ages. Scan to book Now! 11A NOSE FOR QUALITY Brasserie’s SWIRL wine events educate the senses With numerous offerings for Cayman’s oenophiles, both at beginner level or for seasoned connoisseurs, Cayman does not disappoint with its wine tasting and education. Not only are there standalone educational facilities dedicated to the subject – namely Cayman Wine School and WINESCHOOL 3 – but there are also restaurants across the island offering wine tastings led by industry professionals. One such event series is The Brasserie’s SWIRL evenings. Led by Simone Ragusa, these monthly tastings are themed, whether by geography, type or style. Budding wine aficionados gather in The Patio Room, where a selection of wine is provided, alongside seasonal canapés paired by the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Artemio Lopez, utilising ingredients from the Brasserie Garden, “Coco Bluff” plantation, Brasserie catch fishing boats, Brasserie bees, and local farmers. Attendees learn how to identify tannin, acidity, sweetness and alcohol, as well as the specific growing conditions for the evening’s chosen wines. “SWIRL events offer guests a unique journey through the finest vineyards worldwide, all from the comfort of their table,” says Simone, who also notes the benefits of meeting new people and fostering connections outside of work. “Overall, SWIRL events offer a delightful and educational experience for guests, combining the pleasures of wine tasting with the joy of socialising and learning. It is an opportunity to indulge in the world of wines while creating lasting memories with friends and fellow wine enthusiasts.” Sommelier Simone is one of only 269 Master Sommeliers in the world, and his passion for wine is evident to anyone attending SWIRL. “Since starting my career in hospitality, I have been fascinated by the intricacy and mystery of wine,” he explains. “As a sommelier, my mission is to share my passion for wine, from the earth to the table, and this is precisely the driving ethos of The Brasserie. “My passion for wine has led me on a journey of discovery, from studying vinification to travelling to vineyards worldwide. I strive to share my knowledge and passion for wine with others, creating memorable experiences and fostering connections through the joy of wine tasting.” Visit brasseriecayman.com for more information. Upcoming 2023 SWIRL dates Thursday, 12 October Journey around best South African vineyards $65 Thursday, 9 November Sauvignon vs Chardonnay - Cabernet vs Pinot Noir $65 Thursday, 14 December Caviar, oysters and Champagne $109 12 Simone RagusaSearch logic.ky/bundles GET YOUR BUNDLE OF JOY TODAY www.logic.ky +1 345 745 5555 *T&C apply1415 GALA SEASON It’s that time of year when fun and philanthropy combine for a whirlwind of glamorous galas and social soirées in Cayman. From black-tie affairs to stylish evenings dressed around a theme, the islands’ charitable social calendar is an opportunity to support community causes while enjoying a sensational evening out. It’s a heady mix of Champagne receptions, dinner and dancing, live and silent auctions, entertainment and celebrity speakers. Gala season launches at the end of September with two black-tie events – the Heart of the Jungle Masked Ball in support of the Cayman Heart Fund at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on 29 Sept. and the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants Awards Gala, also at the Kimpton, on 30 Sept. The season then swings into high gear with the following events: BREAST CANCER GALA DINNER The Breast Cancer Gala Dinner in October is a highlight of Cayman’s gala season. Held in the ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, it is a black-tie -evening – make that pink tie – which is the main fundraising event for the Breast Cancer Foundation. It is a highly anticipated event – this year’s gala fully sold out by July, with a 100-plus-person waiting list. Keep this in mind for the 2024 edition and book tickets early. Funds raised help the foundation to offer physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support to breast cancer patients and their families in Cayman. A big buzz of the event is who will be the celebrity guest speaker – with the likes of Sarah, Duchess of York, and actresses Shannen Doherty and Cynthia Nixon taking the podium in past years. This year’s speaker is Mathew Knowles, male breast cancer survivor and father of Grammy award- winning artist Beyoncé. He will be talking about breast cancer diagnosis and early detection as well as speaking to men about the importance of early detection and testing. The gala features a bubbly reception, three-course dinner, entertainment, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Date: Saturday, 7 Oct. Time: 7 p.m. Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Tickets: info@bcfcayman.com Glamorous16 CCMI’S FESTIVAL OF SEAS This year’s gala marks the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s silver anniversary. This milestone gala will be an elegant soirée celebrating 25 years of CCMI’s marine research. It takes place on 4 Nov. in the ballroom of the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa. Guests are greeted with a Champagne reception, followed by a three-course dinner, live and online auctions, keynote address by free diver Tanya Streeter, and live music by Lionfish. To mark the anniversary, the dress code is black-tie and ‘silver sparkle’. Festival of Seas is CCMI’s largest fundraising event of the year, with money raised helping to support its operations, education and coral reef research programmes. Date: Saturday, 4 Nov. Time: 6:30 p.m. Venue: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa Tickets: events@reefresearch.org OPEN YOUR HEARTS TO THE CHILDREN Help for Children Cayman (formerly Hedge Funds Care Cayman) will hold its annual Open Your Hearts to the Children gala at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on 18 Nov. The evening includes a cocktail reception, three- course dinner, live and silent auctions and live entertainment. This year’s theme: Intergalactic Black Tie. The flagship event raised an impressive US$300,000 last year – which was dressed around a Woodstock theme – with funds supporting the non-profit organisation’s commitment to prevent, treat and end child abuse in the Cayman Islands. Help for Children is an international charity supported largely by the financial services industry. Since its inception in 2005, the Cayman Islands chapter has raised more than US$4.5 million to help prevent and treat child abuse. Money raised stays in Cayman and benefits a variety of local initiatives. Date: Saturday, 18 Nov. Time: 6 p.m. Venue: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa Tickets: ncoe@harbour.ky17 NATIONAL GALLERY COSTUME GALA The National Gallery’s gala fundraiser is another highly anticipated event, featuring elaborate themes and costumes. This year’s gala is set for 24 Nov. in the gallery’s outdoor gardens. Each year, guests are invited to use their imagination to engage with the annual theme. Over the years, themes have included everything from ‘Extreme Fashion’ and ‘The Night Circus’ to the ‘Surrealist Ball’ and ‘Night at the Museum’. The imaginative décor and performances make for a memorable, fun-filled evening. Proceeds benefit the National Gallery’s education programmes and free admission to exhibitions and programming throughout the year. Date: Friday, 24 Nov. Time: 6:30 p.m. Venue: National Gallery of the Cayman Islands Tickets: events@nationalgallery.org.ky A SPARKLING CHRISTMAS SEASON Gala season takes a breather once Cayman’s beloved Christmas season begins, which also features a whirlwind of events. A gala tree lighting ceremony at Camana Bay in November kicks off the holiday season in grand style. Other holiday highlights include the annual Rotary tree lighting ceremony in downtown George Town; Christmas at the Castle, a special evening at Pedro St. James that includes a tree lighting, carol singing and craft market; and the Mistletoe All White Christmas Party, a gala event at Abacus in Camana Bay, where revellers put on their best winter whites and dance the night away. Cayman’s festive season is also filled with fun runs, Santa sightings, Christmas fairs, markets and bazaars, holiday concerts and parties to ring in the New Year. Visit Compass Media’s events calendar for details of holiday happenings: compassmedia.ky/event-calendar.Next >