🎷Jazz, Magic & Speed Dating—Just a Regular Week in St. John’s!

Good morning St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living - the local newsletter that feels like reaching for the last Mary Brown’s tater and discovering there are two.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Changes coming to PayByPhone parking?

• Now you can “borrow” seeds

Let’s get into it…

Digest

Changes coming to metered parking?

The city’s contract with PayByPhone is up for renewal and for the past 7 years the city has paid $0.15 for every transaction. If the contract is renewed that cost will go up to $0.35/transaction (a yearly increase of almost $119,000), which the city plans to absorb rather than pass it on to residents. However, to cut down on the number of low-cost transactions, expect to see a new 15-min minimum roll out to paid parking if council approves the recommendation. Keep an eye on today’s Committee of the Whole meeting to see how it plays out.

The Seed Library is open for business

Did you know that you can “check out” seeds from the A.C. Hunter Library? Now you do! Bring your library card and come up to the 3rd floor to choose up to 5 packets of varying seeds to take home with you. Happy growing!

Local Business

• DYK: Lester’s Farm Market has discount days for students and seniors? Save 10% on purchases over $20 - students on Fridays, seniors on Sundays.

• Lester’s is bringing back cow cuddling this summer along with a new experience: Pony Picnics - groom, pet, and feed the mini pony herd then enjoy a picnic in the pasture with them.

• Cove Bouldering has expanded with The Narrows. Enjoy the new climbing walls!

• First Light is pausing its art and recreation programs for April & May to re-tool to better serve their community.

• Black Cat Pizza celebrates their first year on LeMarchant Rd.

• Fuego Streetwear is re-opening on April 6 after a vacation break.

• Song Hee is closed until April 26 while the owners are out of town.

• The Johnson Geo Centre re-opens on April 2 after a long winter’s rest.

What’s Happening This Week

Wednesday

🎭 Maiden Voyage debuts at The Majestic Theatre. Set sail for adventure with a brand-new Newfoundland musical packed with romance, betrayal, disguises, and toe-tapping tunes, inspired by the classic folk song.

🏖️ Have a mess-free beach day at Staples in Mount Pearl with a Kinetic Sand demo event.

🎥 The Beothuk Story: Film Screening & Book Talk at A.C. Hunter Library. Are the Beothuk extinct or can their DNA still be found ?Discover the unheard story.

Thursday

🌈 Create your own vibrant stained glass rainbow with Clay Cafe using the Tiffany-style copper foil method in a beginner-friendly workshop!

🖥️ Does technology seem tricky? iPad seem impossible? Do you find your phone frustrating? Bring your device to the 3rd floor of the A.C. Hunter Library from 9:30-11:30 and their staff will do their best to get you sorted out!

Friday

🎻 Enjoy a fun-filled night of nostalgia as the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra brings your favorite cartoon themes to life with Spring Pops: Toon Tunes!

🏠 Home Show 2025 kicks off at the Glacier. From the latest in landscaping to the newest trends in siding, designs, home heating, and more– it’s all there under one roof!

🎹 Jazz nights at the Battery Cafe with the Liam Kovitch Trio. 

Saturday

⚔️ Learn the art of Scottish sword dancing with Newfoundhighland and support Stella’s Circle at a fun, beginner-friendly workshop!

🎸 The Last Waltz takes the stage for a sold out show at JAG Soundhouse. I hope you got your tickets to this one to experience a fantastic local recreation of the Band’s farewell show.

🎷 The MUN Jazz Orchestra takes over the Black Sheep for an early set of Afro-Cuban inspired music.

💃 Then bop on over to the Rock House for some Cabot Power funky dance tunes you can dance your booty off to.

🎶 If you want something a little more chill, check out Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay live at The Ship!

Sunday

🪄 Prepare to be amazed as master magicians Michael Conway and Chris Pilsworth deliver an unforgettable night of spellbinding illusions and world-class magic at the Arts & Culture Centre!

📚 Re-live the school book fair magic at the Farmer’s Market. Get ready for all things books, stationery, and literature.

🎶 Celebrate with Youngtree & Carole Bee as they release their first EP at Bannerman Brewing.

🚶‍♀️ Want to meet people and get outside? Join Chic Socials for a Walk & Talk - back for 2025!

🧘 Looking for something new to get you moving? Give yoga dance a try! It combines gentle stretch, low/high impact aerobics, and free dance. The Elevated Experience has a new session starting today.

Monday

💕 Are you between the ages of 50-65, single and ready to mingle? Join the Newfound Happy Hour podcast for a round of speed dating at The Post Taphouse in Torbay.

💃 Intrigued by the Argentine tango? Learn the basics at a workshop by Hola Tango Studio where you’ll get the basics along with a little flair.

Tuesday

👟 Have you heard of Socarobics? Get ready to groove and move with a fun and engaging workout to live soca music at AMAL Unite & Empower.

🧑‍🎨 Join IceberGallery for a needle felting workshop as part of their Changing Tides exhibit where you’ll learn to make a 3D felted sculpture.

Municipal News

City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s Committee of the Whole meeting:

• Celebrate National Poetry Month with a reading

• Review strides made in improving accessibility in the city

• 90 semi-detached houses proposed for Southlands

• Will parking fees go up with a renewed PaybyPhone contract?

• See full agenda

The meeting is at 3pm, 4th floor City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading St. John’s Living today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who fell for an April Fool’s prank this morning.