Week of June 25-July 1, 2025

Good afternoon St. John’s, This is St. John’s Living - the local newsletter that’s the inbox equivalent of hitting snooze, then realizing it’s a long weekend.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• An edible orchard is on its way to the Mews Community Centre.

Let’s get into it…

Digest

Local fruit is the sweetest

Something delicious is coming to the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre - an edible orchard! Thanks to support from Tree Canada, the City of St. John’s is planting 60 fruit trees, including apple, cherry, plum, and pear. Once they’ve settled in, these tasty trees will offer free, fresh fruit for the community while helping grow a greener, more sustainable city. Talk about a sweet idea!

Local Business

• Is St. John’s ready for two tiki-themed bars? The Bamboo Room opened on June 20th at 268 Water Street, while the recently opened Rabble Room is at 201 Water Street. Which is your pick?

• Piatto is now selling their tomato sauce and Caesar dressing so you can recreate a little Piatto magic at home.

• Rockateer Treats is hosting their grand opening at the Avalon Mall on Sunday, and they’re bringing Dippin’ Dots!

• And speaking of the Mall… Fogtown Barber is going to be setting up shop this summer.

• Can’t make it into the studio? Soon, you’ll be able to get Verso on demand.

• Working from home just not cutting it anymore? Keep an eye out for St. John’s newest co-working space: Higher Ground.

What’s Happening This Week

Wednesday

🎪 Iceberg Alley: Glorious Sons, JJ Wilde, Mick Davis and Thin Love

🎹 Swing by the A.C. Hunter Library for Jokes & Jazz, a free night of smooth tunes from NSO’s Denise Lear and Gary Johnston, plus some light-hearted laughs from your favourite library staff!

🧘 Join Arkhe Collective for a magical Summer DJ Yoga Flow on Topsail Beach with an all-levels sunset class set to live beats, followed by an optional ocean dip to refresh and recharge.

Thursday

🎪 Iceberg Alley: Marianas Trench, LOLO, Jacob Lewis

🛍️ Downtown Pedestrian Mall Opens! Our favourite part of summer is wandering right down the middle of Water Street and saying hi to folks we haven’t seen since last summer.

💕 Speed Dating (38-50) at Wooden Walls Distilling - 5 minute dates, 1 minute in between. Meet potential matches and get notified of mutual connections afterwards, without using apps!

🎭 A Great Wilderness opens at the Barbara Barrett Theatre, telling the powerful story of a Christian retreat leader whose beliefs are shaken when his final client vanishes into the Idaho wilderness.

🎭 Step into a whimsical world of wish fulfillment at Dandelion Factory, an immersive live-action roleplay at The Lantern: part steampunk, part tea party, all interactive fun!

Friday

🎪 Iceberg Alley: Tim Baker, Dan Mangan, Born Ruffians

🤣 Get ready to laugh your face off at the Super Happy Fun Time Comedy Show at The Pearl Market, with Josh Menchions, Katy Warren, and a stacked lineup - all for just $10!

🤣 Harvey Road Comedy Corps kicks off its new monthly stand-up series at the C.L.B. Armoury with local favourites Veronica Dymond, Mike Fardy, and headliner Paul Warford.

🎶 Get ready for a feel-good night of Alan Jackson hits and beachy vibes as award-winning Aaron Halliday brings The Alan Jackson Experience to life on the “Margaritaville” tour at Holy Heart Theatre!

🚲 Celebrate summer and Pride with a fun, friendly Critical Mass bike ride for all ages, abilities, and wheels. Meet at the Loop in Bannerman Park and cruise to City Hall in joyful solidarity!

Saturday

🎪 Iceberg Alley: Down with Webster, USS

🌟 Fuel your morning with positivity and inspiration at the Positive Thinkers Club Breakfast featuring guest speaker Besh, a resilient military veteran and mental health advocate sharing his powerful journey of healing and hope.

🔍 Put your sleuthing skills to the test in Out of Circulation, a killer library mystery where A.C. Hunter Library volunteers may be a little too eager. Join Morrigan Mystery Evenings to crack the case!

🤣 Get ready to laugh out loud as Canadian comedy legend Harland Williams (Half Baked, Dumb & Dumber, Kill Tony) brings his hilariously offbeat style to St. John’s for one unforgettable night!

Sunday

🎪 Iceberg Alley: ZZ Top, Ruthie Foster Band, Nick Earle and the Reckless Hearts

🧘 Find your inner Peace & Joy through gentle movement, Reiki healing, and guided meditation in this welcoming workshop designed to help you reconnect, relax, and renew—no experience needed, just bring yourself.

🧘 Join Chic Socials for Pilates in the Park, followed by a healthy boxed lunch. Connect, stretch, and soak up summer!

🐶 Paint with your pet night at Pet Valu Ropewalk Lane! Unleash your creativity for just $10 and make a masterpiece (and a mess!) with your furry bestie, all in support of GPNL!

🍿 Catch a one-night-only 15th anniversary screening of Inception at the Majestic Theatre. Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending thriller returns to the big screen!

Monday

🎶 Celebrate the BIG Birthday Bash on George Street with Shawn Desman and Preston Pablo.

Tuesday

🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦

🎶 Continue the BIG Birthday Bash with Andrew Rodgers & Co, Music @ Work (a high-energy Tragically Hip tribute band), and Kelly-Ann Evans & Her 10-Piece Band performing the legendary music of Aerosmith.

🎆 Enjoy live music by Celtic Connection at 8 p.m. followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. at the Quidi Vidi Bandstand!

Municipal News

City Council Meeting

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

• Visit a Green Bench on the Pedestrian Mall on July 15th

• New rules may make it easier to create more housing

• 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 looking for a little peace and laughter in their life.