🎸 Half-Price Ferries, Full-Volume Arkells

Good afternoon St. John’s, This is St. John’s Living - the local newsletter that’s like the group chat, but with better grammar.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Half Price Ferry Tickets 🛥️

• Know a Youth Who Likes to Sing? 🎼

• Know an Adult Who Likes to Colour? 🧑‍🎨

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🛥️ Get to Newfoundland for Half the Cost

In case you haven’t heard the news yet, starting on Friday, all individual fares on Marine Atlantic have been halved. If you’ve already made a booking, you’ll get a partial refund. We love that. Now, if only we could get another ship for the summer to handle the traffic.

🎼 Solara by QVE is Coming to Town

The Quintessential Vocal Ensemble is going to be launching a new youth choir for those aged 9-15 of all skill levels. The new choir starts on September 15th and aims to fill the gap between school choirs and other organized choirs. Registration is open until the end of next month.

🧑‍🎨 Adult Colour Contest at the Library

Did you know that the A.C. Hunter Library are doing a colouring contest just for adults this summer? Take one of the colouring sheets from the 3rd floor and create a masterpiece. Submit it to the 3rd floor staff to enter a ticket into our big prize draw! Deadline is August 29th.

Local Business

• Have any local business news? We’d love to share it!

What’s Happening This Week

🛳️ Cruise Ships in Port

• July 30: Azamara Quest from 1pm-5pm (+1) with 694 passengers

• August 2: Holland America Volendam from 8am-5pm with 1839 passengers

Wednesday

Happy Regatta Day!...if the weather is nice.

🍿 Blast off to the Johnson Geo Centre for a family movie night under the planets with everyone’s favourite trash-compacting robot: WALL-E!

💃 It’s summer, so let’s take the dancing outside! Join Lindy Hop on the Rock at Harbourside Park for an open-air social dance by the water, music and good vibes included!

Thursday

George Street Festival: Arkells, Neon Dreams

🛍️ Saltwater Under the Stars continues its 5th summer! Enjoy a magical outdoor night market featuring 60+ local vendors under the evening sky.

🐐 Paint pottery and play with goats at the Clay Café - an unforgettable, feel-good experience you goat to try!

🎭 Don’t miss your last chance to catch The Merry Wives of Windsor by Shakespeare by the Sea performed under the stars on the ALT Hotel’s stunning outdoor terrace!

Friday

George Street Festival: Blue Rodeo, Kellie Loder

🍺 Interested in local craft beer? St. John’s Walking Tours has their Newfoundland beer tasting tour this afternoon, where you can sample 7 different local brews and learn a bit about the history of alcohol in Newfoundland.

🎶 Head to The Ship Pub for Willow Sessions, a captivating night of original folk music with Valmy, Sherry Ryan, and Jessica Spurrell: three powerhouse storytellers sharing songs of heartache, hope, and everything in between.

🎶 Join De La Paz Latin Quintet at Harbourside Park for an energetic mid-day performance filled with the rich rhythms of Latin America - salsa, cumbia, merengue, and more - all infused with our Afro-Caribbean roots and the joy of live music!

💿 Celebrate the album release of Cloud Like Buffalo by Rev. Dave & The Sin Eaters this Friday at Bannerman Brewery with live music, vinyl, and good vibes - all in support of the Janeway!

Saturday

George Street Festival: The Kitchen Party on George with Celtic Connection, The Punters, Kitchinparti

♟️ Looking for your next checkmate? Swing by the A.C. Hunter Library’s weekly Chess Club. Boards are set, rivals await!

🚗 Rev up your Sunday with gleaming chrome and vintage charm at the Newfoundland Antique & Classic Car Club Show, rolling into Confederation Building from 12–4pm!

🧑‍🎨 Join St. Michael’s Printshop for a fun, beginner-friendly printmaking workshop where you’ll create quirky blind contour portraits and turn your favourite into a hand-printed design on paper or fabric!

💃 Unleash your inner rhythm at this Ladies Style Bachata Workshop. It’s a graceful, confidence-boosting hour of movement, open to all levels (ages 16+)!

🧚 Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Peter Pan Statue in Bowring Park with Wonderbolt Circus, Ignite Dance Company, live music, storytelling, and at 9pm, enjoy an outdoor showing of Hook.

Sunday

George Street Festival: DJ Pauly D, JBillz

🛍️ Shop local and support small businesses at The Mom Market’s vendor fair at the Johnson Geo Centre. Discover unique finds in a one-of-a-kind setting!

🐦 Join a Sunday Morning Bird Walk at the MUN Botanical Garden and discover the sights and songs of Newfoundland’s birds on a peaceful, guided stroll through the trails.

📕 Celebrate the launch of Cautiously Pessimistic with author Debbie McGee at the Ship Pub to hear a reading, buy a signed copy, and enjoy some entertainment by a special musical guest! 

Monday

George Street Festival: Big Sugar, Jacob Lewis

Tuesday

George Street Festival: Shanneyganock, Rum Ragged

🌮 Tacos, trivia, and good vibes - join Chic Socials at Casa Amigos for $5 Tacos & Trivia Night, where you can eat, compete, and connect.

🧘 Take a peaceful pause with free Tai Chi Chih on the lawn at Government House—an open invitation to move, breathe, and recharge in a stunning setting.

🧶 Calling all knitting enthusiasts! Bring your favourite stitch project and stay for tea and conversation at the A.C. Hunter Library this afternoon.

Municipal News

City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s Regular Council meeting:

• $5mil for winter salt, $3.5mil for a shared-use path, and more

• 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’s in a Killers mood today.