BEACHFEST Crown Song Competition Videos Are Live
The song submissions are in and PRS for Music, the music rights management organization,
and The Chewstick Foundation are excited to share that Bermuda’s first ever national song
competition “The Beachfest Crown Song Competition” has had an incredible start with over 40
artists submitting over 70 songs in a multitude of genres, all competing for the chance to win
an impressive $10,000 prize package courtesy of PRS for Music, the music rights management
organization.
For Stage 1, song submissions were accepted between June 6th and June 27th, where The
Chewstick Foundation listening committee then screened submissions to ensure they met the
criteria and now the community is invited to pick their favorites and help them get to Stage 2.
During Stage 2, the community is encouraged to view their favorite artists’ song on Youtube
in order to secure their place in the semi-finals. Stage 2 will run from Monday, July 7th until
Friday, July 11th. The top 10 most viewed Youtube videos will move on to the next stage.
Each entrant and supporter is encouraged to share the video link to their favorite Song to
get the views up and promote their hit song. All links are available on the newly overhauled
www.beachfestbermuda.com, and the Beachfest Bermuda YouTube Channel as well as via the
artists’ social media pages. Only the videos with the top ten highest view counts will make it to
the semi-finals and be played on Vibe 103, with artists contending for you to text and vote for
their song.
More information on the Beachfest Emancipation Celebration and the Beachfest Crown
Competition are available at www.beachfestbermuda.com for other Chewstick Foundation
initiatives visit www.chewstick.org, questions can be addressed via email to info@chewstick.org
or by calling 292 2439. Remember to stay tuned to Vibe 103 for more details and support local
artists by listening, voting and getting involved.
Adult Education School Summer Soul-stice Fundraiser | $125 ($50 for Cocktail reception )
On Saturday, June 21st at 6:30p.m., musicians will come out to support The Adult Education School and The Chewstick Foundation in a night celebrating all things Bermudian at Pier 6 (Front Street Tent). The audience will be treated to performances from the dynamic Gita Blakeney-Saltus, Shine Hayward and reggae soul band, Fire & Ice against a beautiful backdrop of Bermudian art, good food and the sunset. This event is a fundraiser to support educational and arts programmes and to provide The Adult Education School Opportunity Scholarships.
The event will feature artists selected from a cross section of the community, including Gita Blakeney-Saltus, Shine Hayward, Paul Smith and Fire & Ice Reggae Soul Band. Most notably in the Fire & Ice Band is Adult Education School alum John Seymour who after finishing his GED through the Adult Education School, went on to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
John is now musical director of Fire & Ice and is happy to be able to give back to the Adult Education School, as the organization helped him to get back on track to fulfilling his dreams of making a living through music. John’s interest in music ranges from jazz to classical, and all things in between which is definitely evident in the broad mastery of genres the Fire & Ice has to offer..
John has also been a long-time supporter of The Chewstick Foundation’s mission to empower the individual to enrich all through story-telling and artistic expression and with his band mates Jesse Seymour, Alfie Wolfe, Montague, Jesse Seymour, Culture, Snaptooth and “Daddy Drum” Rogers, he invites members of the community to support the event to keep the doors of The Adult Education School open as a means to helping men and women serve their educational ambitions. It will be an event to remember, with a range of genres, styles and delivery, combined with the eclectic flair of the Bermudian spirit. The audience will also have the opportunity to partake in a silent auction with works donated from many local artists and vendors – including oils, pastels, photography, glass-works, jewelry, hotel/golf packages, adventure retreats and many other unique Bermuda ‘Staycation’ items. Some of the artists that have graciously donated works are Stephen Card, Robert Bassett, Otto Trott, Steve Conway, Lisa Rego, Manuel Palacio, Kelly Hunt and several more.
The Adult Education School has put together an evening of Bermuda’s most-loved talent, gifted visual artists, unique jewelry and delicious Bermudian foods for this fundraiser. A spokesperson for the organization shared that “It’s been amazing to develop this event, celebrating things that are uniquely Bermudian in order to continue to provide access to a life changing opportunity.” It’s happening Saturday, June 21st, at 6:30pm, starting with a cocktail reception and continuing with a buffet-style dinner all with Bermuda foods and flair. The entire evening will be one for the record books; you most definitely will not want to miss it.
Bermuda Summer Soul-stice tickets are $125, available on www.ptix.bm. The proceeds from this venture will cover travel costs, and accommodation for The Adult Education School fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 21st. If you have questions or need tickets delivered to you, call 292-2439. For more information, visit www.chewstick.org.
Live Fridays with Conscious Bermuda | Sat. James Richardson Jam – 9pm | $10
Local entertainers will be celebrated this weekend at The Chewstick Lounge starting with Roots reggae band “Conscious Bermuda”, taking the stage for the continuation of The Chewstick Foundation’s Live Fridays series, on Friday, June 20th at 9p.m. Then Saturday James Richardson will host a Jam Session as after the Bermuda Musician’s Jam taking place earlier in the evening at Victoria Park. Both these events should not be missed as there is a wealth of talent in Bermuda that is guaranteed to please people of all ages. Entry for each event is $10 and the shows will start at 9pm.
Live Fridays is a series that will feature a different band each week. It is a program that helps to break down barriers and support emerging talent that helps to revitalize arts and culture and tourism. Conscious are no strangers to Bermuda’s entertainment scene as they are a band that came together as the best of Bermuda’s reggae bands; they definitely have a very chilled out energy that will make for a very interesting night.
The whole band is eager to grace the Chewstick stage and bring their talent and inventive, soothing vibes to Bermuda in a different way. This is a tremendous opportunity to experience each of these artists performing live and unplugged at the Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge & Cafe. It is guaranteed to be a relaxing and uplifting event. Do not miss the opportunity to experience awe-inspiring performances every week, guaranteed to be relaxing, uplifting and enlightenment. Enjoy the vibes, celebrate live music at its best, and experience “Live Fridays” as this program showcases local talent and celebrates the Bermuda story in many different forms at the Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge & Café.
Then Saturday, June 21st Chewstick’s Neo-Griot Lounge will again host awesome talent as James Richardson hosts a Musicians’ Jam, inviting musicians of all ages play alongside each other well into the night. This is a chance to mingle with musical legends, novices and pros as in celebration of live music, amazing talent and inspiration across generations. Starting at 9pm and going until we’re done this is an event that should not be missed! The event will follow the Bermuda Musicians’ Jam that is taking place in Victoria Park, anyone coming from that event, with wristbands can attend the Chewstick event for FREE, others pay $10 at the door. The lineup for the Bermuda Jam will feature artists such as Bones Blues Band, Life Sentence, The Unit, Pulse, Gita Blakeney, Toni Robinson, Tooties Bean, Shine Hayward and many more and they’ll all be encouraged to head over to Chewstick’s Lounge to keep the vibes going!
Tickets are only $10, payable at the door. For more information call 292-2439 or email info@chewstick.org.
Summer Retreat Paget Island | June 13-16 2014
The Retreat Program is now in its fourth 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.
Past participants have had beautiful experiences making lifelong friends, learning new skills through workshops that range from Still Life Drawing and African Mask Making to Financial Planning and Song Writing, Salsa Dance and more!
All manner of folk are invited to attend; if you are a person who likes to tell stories, dance, play dominoes, swim, paint or pontificate on aspects of life with others, the Retreat is for you! In addition to the Workshops, there is free time to reflect and to get inspired by the beautiful surroundings, activities such as Hair Braiding, Bocce (Chewstick’s official game), Hiking, 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 Standard VERY IMPORTANT Information
Break-out Sessions are 1.5-3 hour workshops that offer insight into a variety of fields that 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 12 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
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. Participants will depart from King’s Wharf (behind St. George’s Visitor Center) on Friday evening at 6pm and return to the mainland on Monday afternoon at 3pm. 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.
The cost for the Summer Retreat is as follows:
General: $225
Members: $175
Youth (ages 12-18): $100
Parent & Child (under 12): $275 ($50 each additional child).
