The Chewstick Foundation is launching 'Griot Sessions' tonight featuring some of the Island's best talents.

The Griot Sessions will take place at the Chewstick headquarters, on the corner of Elliot and Court Streets in Hamilton, at 7.30 p.m.

The first in the line up of artists is Chewstick founder Gavin Smith a.k.a. Djata, with a special guest performance from Caiside.

Upcoming events will include Joy T. Barnum and The Channel with special guest BLAC on December 16, while Alex Winfield 'Post-Apocalyptic Puppetry' will perform on December 30.

Griot Sessions is a new series introducing some of the Island's best talents. "If these sessions are anything like our legendary open-mic jam session, it is sure going to be a hit." said Mr. Smith.

"We are well known for being leading advocates of performing artists, and we have made consistent efforts to create opportunities for artists from the small stage to the big stage such as our incredible Beachfest Emancipation Celebration.

"The concept behind the Griot Sessions is to give artists a chance to really showcase all they have to offer in an event centred around them. Typical performance opportunities locally revolve around artists being included in a line-up, opening up for an international event, or doing a full set of covers for a bar crowd.

"This will be nothing like any of those extremes, Griot Sessions will be an intimate artist presentation designed to showcase the artist as they dream to be shown, with everything tailored to their specifications, with as much time as they need, and high quality sound, visuals and promotions.

"The idea of calling the series Griot Sessions is because the intention is to give artists the opportunity to share their stories, as artists, their process and thoughts.

He added: "The basic format for the show is a 15 to 20 minute opening act, and then a one-hour presentation by the artist."

Keeping a visual record of each event is paramount, said Mr. Smith. "Each Griot Session will be filmed, recorded and streamed live to www.chewstick.com.

"This will give artists a chance to reach audiences around the world. To date Chewstick has been experimenting with it's live stream and have had around 600 hits from all over the world and as far away as Taiwan!

"The recordings will be made available to the artist, and Chewstick plans to release a Griot Sessions Live CD/DVD combo in 2010, which will feature highlights from the series."

Tonight's session features Mr. Smith with special guest Caiside, followed next week by Joy T. Barnum and The Channel with special guest BLAC. Following them will be Alex Winfield with his hand-made puppets.

"In the New Year expect to see Ital Foundation, KASE, Heather Nova, Spring Flower and more as we master the format," he said.

If anyone would like to be a part of the series or would like to purchase tickets, contact The Chewstick Foundation 292-2439, email infochewstick.com, or visit www.chewstick.com, or their Facebook page.

Tickets $20, are available at ChewHQ, between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and not on the door. Part proceeds in aid of The Chewstick Foundation. There is limited seating.