🔥 Fire ban, free yoga, and a chance to win $20K? Yes, please!

Good morning St. John’s, This is St. John’s Living - the local newsletter that cuts the crust off your local news sandwich and leaves only the tastiest bits. 

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Fire ban is currently in effect 🔥

• Free yoga is back for the summer 🧘

• 2025 East Coast Trail Raiser 🌲

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🔥 Put down the matches

A fire ban went into effect in St. John’s on May 30th and is likely to be extended today until we get some rain. This means absolutely no fires, including outdoor wood-burning appliances, charcoal BBQs and open fires. Your BBQ and propane fire pit are still good to go, though.

🧘 Modo Yoga brings free yoga to Victoria Park

Starting this Saturday, Modo Yoga will be hosting free yoga classes in Victoria Park at 2:00pm (weather permitting). You’ll need to register in advance, which opens up weekly. All classes are beginner-friendly friendly and kids and pets are welcome. What a great way to get active and enjoy summer.

🌲 $20,000+ up for grabs in the ECT 50/50

If you’ve ever hiked any of the East Coast Trail, then you know how special it is. Help keep it going by taking part in this year’s annual fundraising effort. Your share of the 50/50 jackpot is up to $20,000 and it could be yours this Saturday. You can also register a team and take part in the big community hike this weekend. Support a great organization and maybe win some prizes, what more could you want?

Local Business

• AYRÍSTA, a new brand from Le Boudoir, is now open at Avalon Mall.

• The Salvation Army has closed its thrift shop in CBS.

• Chafe’s Landing is set to reopen in the coming days.

• Hot Girl Socials YYT has launched to foster in-person connections.

• Namjim is launching a meal subscription service starting at $68/week.

What’s Happening This Week

Cruise Ships in Town

• June 4 - Silver Seas, Silver Dawn - 8:00am-6:00pm with 660 passengers

Wednesday

🎉 Lawnya Vawnya kicks off today. It’s a seaside celebration of new independent music and art, rooted in the spirit of having a good time.

🎟️ It’s the first Wednesday of the month so that means free admission at The Rooms today from 5pm-9pm.

🎙️ Join The Battery Cafe for a free poetry open mic night hosted by Blake Cryderman—anything goes, performers get a free drink, and donations support CMHA.

Thursday

🚶 Explore the Grand Concourse and maybe make some new friends with the Trail Explorers. Today they’re exploring Bannerman Park to Government House.

🌈 Join Quadrangle NL’s first MADE RIGHT QUEER networking event for 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and allies—connect, showcase, and celebrate your unique business with a free vendor table!

📚 Join Theatre Hill Café and Breakwater Books for the launch of Here by Heidi Wicks—an evening of readings, music, and a Q&A celebrating her time-bending short story collection set in a historic St. John’s mansion.

Friday

🎭 Escape into Alice by Heart at the Majestic Theatre—a whimsical, moving musical set in a WWII bomb shelter, where Alice turns to Wonderland to find hope, love, and resilience.

🩰 Metamorphosis – Be there for a bold new chapter in Kittiwake Ballet’s nearly 40-year history, as three world-class choreographers premiere transformative new works in one unforgettable night at the LSPU Hall.

🎶 Ben Haggard, the youngest son of country legend Merle Haggard, takes the stage at the Arts and Culture Centre to perform his father’s beloved hits—backed by The Strangers—for a night of unforgettable classic country.

🤣 Join Kevin McDonald from the legendary sketch comedy troupe - The Kids In The Hall - for an evening of stand up at The Black Sheep featuring stories from the show. 

Saturday

💃 Celebrate the beauty of movement at Dance on the Edge 13 with The Neighbourhood Strays and a dynamic lineup of local dancers showcasing belly dance and more in this joyful annual celebration of dance at the LSPU Hall.

🕺 Get ready to kick off the summer season with a bang at our Welcome Summer Dance Party at Bella Vista - it's gonna be lit!

🛍️ Don’t miss The Village Market, featuring over 100 vendors, family entertainment, exciting giveaways, and a chance to support the Community Food Sharing Association with a food donation!

Sunday

🛍️ Celebrate your passion for crafting, building, and collecting at the SJFM Happy Hobbies Market, showcasing handmade goods, vintage finds, DIY projects, and more—perfect for hobbyists and curious explorers alike!

🎪 Canada’s Circus Spectacular brings family-friendly fun to Mary Brown’s Centre with two 90-minute shows featuring clowns, aerialists, and thrilling motorcycle stunts at 1:30pm and 4:30pm.

❓ Get your game face on and join us for Trivia Night at Theatre Hill with the legendary Tony Moores for an all-ages showdown full of laughs, fierce competition, and brain-busting fun! Rally your dream team and show off your smarts!

Monday

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

🧑‍🎨 Get ready for a sparkling good time with Glass Fusing at Clay Cafe—no experience needed, just bring your friends and create your very own dazzling 4x6" sun catcher to brighten up any window!

Tuesday

🌟 LDANL’s Blind Date with a Star is a fun-filled fundraising evening where guests are paired with local celebrities and whisked away to mystery dining venues for a delicious 3-course meal after a kickoff reception at the Sheraton Hotel.

🛍️ Love Local: Sip. Savour. Shop. is a vibrant evening celebrating Newfoundland and Labrador’s makers, flavors, and creative entrepreneurs with local food, drinks, shopping, and live music by The Hallidays.

🎙️ Don’t miss a special live taping of CBC Radio’s The Current at The Majestic Theatre, hosted by Matt Galloway, featuring music, laughter, and captivating conversations with Tim Baker, Michael Crummey, Holly Hogan, Deantha Edmunds, Matt Wright, and more!

Municipal News

City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s regular Council meeting:

• Hudson & Rex filming on Forest Rd

• 34 microunits potentially coming to Duckworth Street

• 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 got a sunburn this week.