Published 6th July 2007, 10:36am

The music, the lights, the conversation, the company, the bright moon and the smorgasbord of traditional Caymanian fare provided just the right ambience for an unfolding of cultural presentations as the finale to the weeklong 32nd Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The delegates from 13 countries spent the night of Friday 29 June with guests at an evening organised jointly by the ministries of Education and Tourism in a well-orchestrated event at Boatswains Beach. In attendance were Ministers the Hon. Alden McLaughlin and the Hon. Charles Clifford, both of whom briefly addressed the gathering. Also present were local MLAs present and past, Chief Officers and other government officials as well as invited guests.

The attendees took a trip down yesteryears as they walked along a Cayman Street, made and carried away a piece of rope; and learned about old-time caboose cooking as well as traditional dresses and culture. They were regaled by traditional tunes played by the North Side Kitchen Band.

Under a tastefully decorated marquee and in the relaxed atmosphere of the evening's stage presentations, George Town MLA Alfonso Wright emceed the evening's stage presentations. This dinner segment staged under the stars showcased local talent featuring Cayman's youth.

This included a colourful group dance by George Town Primary girls; poetry recited with drama by students Shernell Seymour; Vincent Davis and Wayne Cato; two energetic dance numbers by the Cayman National Dance Company; and a music solo by the golden-voiced Ms Karen Edie. The infectious rhythm and melodies provided by the prize-winning steel-pan group Panoramers that had some guests breaking out in spontaneous dancing.