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This New Year means big things for Bermuda’s most endemic sound, Chewstick band, the glue that holds the whole Chewstick vibe together: Nigh-invisible, yet indispensable.

Chewstick International celebrates its third year of promotion and expression of Bermudian original talent on New Year’s Day 2006 at Champion’s on Reid Street, featuring surprise guests, an open mic, big band tunes and multiple DJs. Admission is free before 8pm, and $5 thereafter.

The celebration comes at the tail of a busy festive season, with performances at Friday’s late-night shopping event and opening for tree-dwelling-turntablist Kid Koala and DJ The Butcher at Volcanic Productions’ New Year’s party at BAA.

Chewstick’s CEO and one of the band’s lead vocalists, Gavin “Sundjata” Smith, described the band as a blend of musical styles ranging from folk and rock to hip-hop.

Sundjata said: “A few terms pop up such as “Folk-Hop”, or “Hip-Folk”, or “Neo-Griot Funk”, but one thing is clear: It is bona-fide new and Bermudian. No Brooklyn posturing, or Jamaican accents — just 100 per cent Bermuda creativity and representation.”[[In-content Ad]]

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