Seventeen artists are today due to leave Bermuda in readiness for their New York City debuts.

The Chewstick Foundation's performers are performing in three different locations, the Shrine, the Nuyorican Poets Café, and The Galapagos Art Space, from today to Sunday.

Chewstick Foundation director Gavin Djata Smith said going on tour was something he has been working on for several years.

"We always wanted to do a tour and to take artists off-Island and it would be a great way of showcasing Bermuda and getting the artists on an international stage."

The Shrine, which was started by Nigerian nationals, is based in Harlem and the Chewstick performers will play there tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

"We were trying to find a Harlem venue, as we are trying to spread ourselves all over the City to break down the walls of social segregation and the Shrine is perfect," said Mr. Smith.

In addition they are aiming to hook up with Brotherhood SisterSol (www.brotherhood-sistersol.org), who run outreach programmes for Latino and Black youth.

"We are hoping to do a couple of workshops there to share as much as we can and to learn as much as we can.

"They also have a wonderful fundraiser, which we are hoping to attend on the Thursday night. It is going to be hosted by CNN's Soledad O'Brien and some other big names.

"We are trying to understand, network and deepen our understanding of what similar organisations like Chewstick are doing, so that we can actually figure out how we can be more effective."

The Galapagos Art Space link came out of the Bermuda connection with Jon Legere, who is also of Volcanic Productions.

"He is working at the Galapagos Art Space and as you can tell with the UZICAL, he is doing his best to get Bermudian artists exposure, so when we told him about the tour he said, 'it was a natural fit'.

"Friday night is going to be special, because each night we are going to be doing something a little different.

"We will be doing the showcase, which is a formal show and it won't be open mic, it will be a show, just because we have an hour and a half.

"We have the time, we have the space, the lights – it's going to be a real upscale Chewstick presentation."

Another venue is the Nuyorican Poets Café, which has been the industry leader with regards to spoken word poetry communities for more than 40 years. The Bermuda contingent will perform there on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"They are kind of like the Chewstick of New York," explained Mr. Smith.

"The Nuyorican Poets Café was started by Puerto Ricans, who moved to the City in the 40s. We are building a relationship with them, although this is the first thing that we are doing with them."

He added that some of the world's most renowned poets have performed at the Nuyorican.

"So whenever we went to the City we would check them out and vibe with some of the artists. It's going to be hot!"

The Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. (133-134 St) New York, New York 10030. 212-690-7807 or e-mail info@shrinenyc.com. Showtime: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. For more information and tickets visit www.galapagosartspace.com or telephone 718-222-8500. Doors open 11.30 p.m. and showtime at midnight. Tickets $15.

Nuyorican Poets Café is located on 236 East 3rd Street (between Avenue B and Avenue C) New York, New York 10009. For more information visit www.nuyorican.org or telephone 212-505-8183. Saturday at 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets $15 can be purchased on site.