Chewstick starts poetry group

ChewSLAM is a spoken word poetry club that aims to take participants on a journey through poetry, creative writing and spoken word performance.

It is led by two prominent local poets Chris Astwood and Stephan Johnstone.

Astwood recently received his Masters in Creative Writing and Poetry and has been published in several international journals. He has performed at The Bermuda Festival and at other local events.

Spoken word artist Stephan Johnstone regularly performs at Chewstick as well as every other stages locally including The Bermuda Music Festival.

He has even gone on to develop his career in Canada where he is well known in the spoken word community.

Deidra Lee Bean, Chewstick’s administrative officer, said: “It is designed to tap into young people’s creativity and give it a new medium to voice itself and to share it with the world. No experience is necessary to join, but great experiences will be gained.

ChewSLAM takes place every Saturday from 2pm-4pm at the new Chewstick Headquarters on the corner of Elliot Street and Court Street (on the other side of the parking lot by Jamaican Grill). The group  is free and open to participants 17 and under.