Sign up for the 2016 Fall Retreat – October 7-9 on Darrell’s Island

The Chewstick Foundation’s thrice annual Island Retreat program for 2016 concludes with the Fall Retreat, taking place Friday, October 7th through Sunday, October 9th 2016.

Here’s the link to sign up!

The Retreat programme is now in its sixth year and has met and surpassed its purpose to bring people together to connect, to learn and to have fun while appreciating the epic beauty of Bermuda. If  you are a person who likes to tell stories, dance, play dominoes, swim, paint or pontificate on  life with others, the retreat is for you! If you simply need a moment of pause from the daily demands of work and home life take the chance to unwind and maybe learn something as well. In addition to participant-led break out sessions, there is free time to reflect and to get inspired by the beautiful surroundings, activities such as hair braiding, Bocce (Chewstick’s official game), fishing (provide own equipment) and the Retreat fireside where participants are encouraged to share a new skill, story, poem, song or anecdote and everyone gets to participate in the always fun, sing along vibe.

The price breakdown is as follows:

General: $250
Members: $175
Youth (ages 12-18):$125
Child (under 12): $50

 

The Standard VERY IMPORTANT Information 

Break-out Sessions are 1.5 to 2 hour workshops that offer insight into a variety of fields that all help participants to deepen personally and collectively. They are led by passionate people that want to share their fields of expertise and personal experience in a safe and organic environment. All attendees are invited (though not required) to submit a Break-out Session option for consideration, and everyone who attends is expected to bring a passion for learning and sharing. There are 3 Break-Out Sessions scheduled for each Retreat, with up to 9 options to choose from.

We don’t know who will attend well in advance, so it is difficult to let you know what each Retreat will offer specifically, but if you’d like to lead a session include a brief description in  the sign up form, we will let you know as soon as possible if yours has been accepted (there’s a discount for facilitators). Some useful information is below:

What do Participants Need to Bring?
The Retreats alternate between Ports Island and Paget Island, two of the most beautiful and fully equipped islands in Bermuda. Unlike traditional “camping”, each island is fully equipped with plenty of beds, full kitchen and dining areas and bathroom facilities –making this excursion quite the opposite of “roughing it”, but you still need to bring a few things.

Essentials:
Pillow, Bedding (fitted sheet & blanket), Sleeping Bag and/or something to keep you warm
Clothing (2 sets of day wear/night wear etc. recommended)
Sneakers, Sandals, Boots etc.
Pajamas
Swimsuit/Swim Shoes
Towel (bath and swim towels recommended)
Toiletries
Flashlight
Chair (if you don’t bring it, be prepared to sit on the ground!)
Camera
Plate/Bowl/Fork/Spoon/Butter knife/Cup/Water bottle
Good vibes
Optional:
Any snacks you may want
Any other tools you need for your craft (musical instruments, notepad, sketchbook, art supplies, etc.) If unsure, contact us for more information.
Lotion, sunscreen, hand sanitizer etc.
Bug repellent (though we haven’t had any problems with mosquitoes etc.)
Games (no electronic games please)

Please Do Not Bring:
Bad vibes
Portable game systems
Pets
Any illicit substances or materials
Anything you cannot carry yourself

Under 18
We are proud to be able to offer the opportunity for young people ages 6-18 to be able to attend and participate. The youngest will be taken care of by a child care provider away from the different workshops, while those willing and able to participate in deepening activities will be allowed to. Those under 18 will be required to get parental consent as well as an over 18 chaperone. If a chaperone cannot be identified we would be willing to ask other mature attendees if one would be able to be a personal chaperone for you. Please inquire well in advance if you will be bringing a child or if you need a chaperone.

Space is limited for this special event and we are inviting participants to take part in a journey along with roughly 50 participants for this tremendous, life-changing personal adventure. October 7-9 (the Fall Retreat) , participants will depart from Albouy’s Point on Friday evening at 6pm and return to the mainland on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm. Sign-ups can be made by phone on 292-2439 or by filling out the form. Cash or Credit Cards accepted; please make cheques payable to The Chewstick Foundation.

Post-Fire Press Statement

The Chewstick Foundation (Registered Charity #857) is still reeling from the devastating fire that took place on Thursday, July 21, 2016 that began in a nearby alleyway. The Chewstick Culture Hub at 81 Front Street has been under renovations for the past year-and-a-half and soft-opened in late May 2016 while final renovations continued to be worked on. The Chewstick Culture Hub was designed to be a safe space for the Bermuda’s community, catering to the development of the arts as an effective tool to help build bridges in Bermuda’s diverse community.  It was also created to be a primary revenue line to help underwrite general operations of The Chewstick Foundation, to help to subsidize Chewstick Foundation programming and to cover the significant costs incurred with creating a custom-built, multi-purpose performing arts community centre. With the primary revenue stream lost to the fire, and renovation costs that remain outstanding, Chewstick needs to raise money to recoup significant losses. A robust fundraising campaign will be launched shortly.

Chewstick has always been about more than a physical space: Chewstick’s power, strength, and inspiration has always been about the people that the organization empowered and united. The mission of The Chewstick Foundation is to empower storytelling, creative expression, and social justice to enrich youth, arts, culture, and community. This mission is achieved through a diverse variety of programming including; the famous Neo-Griot Lounge Open-Mic Jam Session, the Break The Chains Youth Poetry Programme, T.W.I.G.S. Youth Open-Mic Programme, creative outreach programs with inmates within the Dept. of Corrections, Chewstick Retreat Programme, Chewstick Community Art Programme, and countless events and initiatives highlighting the best of Bermuda’s music, poetry, film, art, and academia. Chewstick has provided a consistent platform for developing Bermuda talents and is consistently referred to as the only home for the local creative community. The Culture Hub was also quickly proving to be a vital resource for fellow charities and grassroots initiatives as one of the few neutral spaces that could accommodate deeper engagement and understanding. The loss of this space has become a depressing reality for so many in Bermuda, not only the creatives that utilize Chewstick as a resource and sanctuary, but also their families & friends, the audience, and supporters of the arts generally. Bermuda needs Chewstick.

It appears that all equipment, furnishings, instruments, art, and cultural items have been destroyed by fire, heat, smoke, water or structural collapse. We do not anticipate insurance to cover most of our losses and many of the items destroyed are truly irreplaceable. Some of the losses include original vinyl records from Lance Hayward and Ital Foundation, Gene Steede’s guitar, the lifetime collection of artist Michael DeSilva, Calix Smith’s recent art show, as well as the complete works of Chewstick Executive Director Gavin Djata Smith’s, along with countless other cultural and artistic artifacts of Bermuda.

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from the community. We wish to thank our families, friends, volunteers, and allies for their support and strength during such a difficult time. We are grateful to the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and the Bermuda Police Service for their brave response to the fire and working to help save as much as possible. We are deeply saddened for the devastating losses sustained by area businesses, who welcomed us in as neighbors and became our friends. We would also like to acknowledge our landlords who are sharing in this devastation, and have shown great support and understanding through this trying time.

Without raising funds to pay for the costs of lost renovations, equipment, and operational revenue streams, we will not be in a position to reopen, relocate, or rebuild. Without significant financial support, Chewstick will become inoperable for the immediate future, and possibly for some time. We urge all members of the community to donate to this charity that has worked tirelessly over the last 13 years to empower one, and to enrich all. Donations can be made online at www.chewstick.org/online-donation or at donation jars at participating businesses such as Dangelinis Cafe or Rock Island Coffee. If you would like to have a donation jar at your business, or produce a fundraising activity, or make a donation, or have questions or ideas, you can contact The Chewstick Foundation (Bermuda Registered Charity #857) through fundraising@chewstick.org or by calling (441) 292-2439. For more information, please visit our website and social media pages.

The future is uncertain, but like a phoenix, the community can empower Chewstick to rise from the ashes.

Culture Hub Fire Relief Fund

Updated: Monday, August 8th, 2016

Fight Cancer & Fete | Tuesday, July 19 | 7 PM | DONATION$

Fight Cancer & Fete. Fundraising for Team Tan Zaoui, Team Chentouf’s fight against cancer. Live performances by Yesha Townsend, Rowdy Piper, Joy Barnum, Matthew Johnston. Dj TanZ, D’general and Rusty G at the controls keeping you dancing through the night. ALL FOR DONATIONS. Bring your positive energy. Contribute to fight!!
7pm Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres
8pm Live performances
9pm Dance til it done
Live in the moment. Fight cancer. Fete.