The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA), the non-profit organisers of the Taste of Cayman Food & Wine Festival, have announced that tribute band ABBA Mania and popular local group Swanky Kitchen Band will be the entertainment acts at the 2014 Festival which takes place on Saturday, 8 February 2014 at the Festival Green Camana Bay.

ABBA Mania is rated as the number one ABBA production in the world. With authentic costumes and incredible vocals, ABBA Mania performs songs made popular by the 1970s Swedish group ABBA such as Waterloo, Fernando, S.O.S, Mamma Mia, Super Trooper, Voulez Vous, I Had A Dream and Dancing Queen.  Hailing from Toronto and Ontario, Canada, the cast of ABBA Mania not only look exactly like the original group but sound unbelievably like them, which has prompted many concert goers to question whether they are actually hearing the original ABBA.

Swanky Kitchen Band has been called the musical guardians of Caymanian culture, a designation that the group proudly embraces.  The Band is committed to their mission to preserve traditional Cayman Islands kitchen dance music while keeping it current for a new generation of listeners.

Originally formed by Samuel Rose (violin) Nicholas Johnson (guitar), Daniel Augustine (drums) along with Paula Scott (grater/shakers) and Stanley Ebanks (percussion), the group has also added Lammie Seymour (bass), Jonathan Ebanks (lead guitar), KK Alese (vocals), Devon Edie (sax) and Jeffrey Wilson (vocals).

Swanky Kitchen Band has opened for Natalie Cole, Arturo Tappin, Ravi Coltrane and Yolanda Adams, and also performed overseas in New York at Caribbean Tourism Organization Week and wowed audiences throughout Trinidad at Carifesta. Their impressive body of work and unfailing commitment to their craft has earned them the prestigious Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s Cultural Heritage Award.

“We are thrilled about the entertainment we have planned for the 2014 Taste of Cayman Food & Wine Festival because we think it will enhance the Festival experience for the attendees, sponsors and vendors alike,” said Jane van der Bol, Executive Director of CITA.  “Both of these acts have local and international appeal so Festival-goers will enjoy a full day followed by an amazing concert.”

Along with the food and wine that will be on offer, the Festival will also feature a chef competition, demo kitchen, mixology competition, heavy cake competition and fireworks.

Tickets are on sale now at a discounted price of $35 per person during the holiday season and can be purchased online at www.tasteofcayman.org, or at Books and Books, all Blackbeard’s and Big Daddy’s locations and the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Office.

For more information about the 2014 Taste of Cayman Festival, log on to www.tasteofcayman.org, email [email protected] or call 949.8522.

The Taste of Cayman Food & Wine Festival is sponsored by Camana Bay, Z99, Rooster 101, Blackbeard’s, Heineken, Appleton, Vibe FM, Spin 94.9, Hew’s Hotel & Restaurant Supplies, Picture This, McCormick, Scotiabank, The Security Centre, and Seven Fathoms.