A tour of Toronto by members of the Chewstick Foundation has been hailed as a huge success.The Chewronto Tour took place over the Easter weekend and was set up as a way of spreading unity and raising awareness about Bermudian acts.The Chewstick Foundation began the tour with a bang, taking over the Trane Studio on Thursday, a Toronto spot that prides itself on supporting all facets of the arts in all its many forms.Deidra Lee Bean, Chewstick media officer, said: “The laid back atmosphere fostered the free expression of the Chewstick open-mic set.“The evening kicked off with Chewstick executive director Gavin Smith sharing an original song, to represent the Chewstick pillar of respect. He was quickly followed by one of Bermuda’s most dynamic and industrious spoken word artists Stephan Johnstone.“Stephan blew the audience away with his high impact, thought provoking and vital words and flow. Artist Kombat was next, followed by Deidra-Lee Bean.“The rest of the evening blended together a mix of visceral poetic delivery, sensual R& B and reggae tunes and ended with Chewstick’s own prolific emcee K.A.S.E. and a patriotic waving of the Bermuda flag as the artists danced into the night in anticipation of things to come.”The audience was mixed, she said, adding: “There was an awesome mix of Canadians, Bermudian friends, and curious folk to make the night true to the Chewstick custom of breaking down barriers and bringing people together in an environment of creativity and sharing.“The Trane Studio performances were definitely worth the journey and all the artists that took the stage did Bermuda proud.”On Friday, the Chewstick tour went to Addis Ababa.“A wonderful medley of authentic Ethiopian Cuisine eaten in a communal fashion and the most delicious and the delectable flair of Bermudian cultural melded beautifully together to make this evening even more amazing than the first,” said Ms Bean.“On this occasion Chewstick Foundation co-founder Najib Chentouf, also known as Tanzaoui, hosted the evening’s entertainment, fortified by the spicy food and the spiritual warmth of space, the Chewstick Foundation put on a compelling show.“Gavin ‘Djata’ Smith was the opening act and he noted the Good Friday holiday and the Bermuda tradition of kite flying, his slightly raspy, but always soothing vocals wrapped around the audience with ‘Glue to My Kite’, which is a song depicting mutual support and respect through the metaphor of sky, kite string, sun and light. It was simply beautiful.”Making a comparison, she said that at the Trane the set started out with a heavy poetic presence, while the Addis Ababa night was different.“Instead, the audience was treated to a cluster of singers at the outset, first from Tanzaoui, with ‘United Status’, followed by Ramon Clarke, Joy T Barnum, and upcoming R&B singer and lady’s man JIV, whose original song “Invitation” had the ladies eating out of the palm of his hand.“The evening moved forward nicely with the poetry set being even sharper than the last, Stephan Johnstone again began the poets’ section, followed by Sharla Bean and later on with Deidra-Lee; however, the break-out performance was from Carlita Lodge who took us back to the musings of a young girl missing her island home yet ensconced in the fast pace of the Toronto metropolis and what it really means for her generation to move forward no matter where their origins are.“Bermuda’s own Roots, Reggae icon Mitchelle ‘Live Wires’ Trott not only treated the audience to his beautiful voice, but also showcased his eclectic talent with a short bout of tap dancing that was as impressive as it was unexpected.“The showcase ended on a high-note with upbeat music and a preview of the Beachfest ethos of good dance music, Bermudian pride, and fun all-around.“Much of the audience was left wanting for more, which heralds a phenomenal turn out for the last event or at the very least positive buzz about the Chewstick Foundation and Bermuda in the very near future.”