🧀 Save the Folk Fest, Ditch X, and Eat Cheese – Your Week Sorted!

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living —the local newsletter that’s the tacos of local news. Everybody likes tacos.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Folk Festival Fundraiser kicks off 🎻

• The City is getting off the X train 🐦

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🎻 Help Save the Folk Festival

The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival has found itself in a tight spot. They took the motto Go Big or Go Home to heart last year and went big hosting Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle and making other big changes to the festival. They’ve since found themselves in the red and have had to cut all programs except for the weekly Folk Night at the Ship to save money. Now the future of the festival itself is in question so they’ve launched a fundraiser to save the festival. If you want to see the folk festival continue for another 50 years, consider donating today.

🐦 So Long X

Based on the agenda for today’s Committee of the Whole meeting, the City of St. John’s is ready to leave X behind. Despite having the largest number of followers of any of the City’s channels, there is limited and declining engagement, not to mention the concerns with the spread of misinformation, lack of moderation, hate speech, and more. They won’t be jumping aboard the Bluesky train until more studies have been done about Canadian use and engagement (and their social media management tool supports it) but we’re happy to see them leave X behind.

Local Business

• Jack Axes has re-opened on Water St and this time they include archery and a splatter room. Oh, and they’ve also rebranded. Welcome Halimac Entertainment!

• We’re not entirely sure what Be Our Guest is exactly but it looks like three downtown restaurants (The Merchant Tavern, Rabble, Terre) are teaming up to offer exclusive 3-course meals for $59 per person in April. Worth checking out!

What’s Happening

Wednesday

🍽️ The cost of food is going up but you can still eat well. Join this workshop at the A.C. Hunter Library and get ideas for meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking at home.

🧶 Have you ever wanted to get into felting? This workshop from the Anna Templeton Centre will have you creating a simple felted landscape masterpiece in no time!

Thursday

🪤 Power Productions presents Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at LSPU Hall. One of the world‘s most famous mysteries, this one will keep you guessing right to the very end. Live Description will be offered on Saturday. ASL interpretation will be provided on Sunday. All performances will have live captioning.

🎭 The 36th annual Multicultural Show is taking place in the atrium of the MUN Core Science building. Witness the talent and culture of MUN’s many international students.

Friday

🍿 A Lord of the Rings movie series kicks off at the Majestic Theatre with the Fellowship of the Ring at 7pm.

🎶 Celebrate the release of Lady Gaga’s Mayhem at the Rock House while your favourite drag artists take you on a journey through the evolution of one of pop music’s most iconic artists! Come dressed in your best Gaga-inspired attire!

🍕 Unwind after a long week with Pizza & Trivia Night at Chic Celebrations! Grab your friends, enjoy delicious pizza, and test your Friends knowledge.

💃 Total Request Live dance party at the Rock House - where you control the playlist. Make live requests and DJ DK will make it happen. Nothing but non-stop dance tunes.

🎤 Dies for a few 90s tunes? Have we got an event for you! Bring Back the 90s karaoke at Stanley’s Pub is where you should find yourself on Friday night.

😂 The Super Happy Fun Time Comedy Show is back featuring Tyler O’Dea, Jennifer Somerton & Tyler Hale.

Saturday

🫕 Join the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club for a cozy evening filled with delicious melted cheese, meats, chocolate, and great company. Fondue Saturday isn’t something you want to miss!

🔪 Love a good murder mystery and love chatting about them? Join the Murder Book Club at the A.C. Hunter Library.

🍿 LOTR movie series continues with The Two Towers at 7pm at the Majestic Theatre.

🧑‍🎨 Do you have a good sense of humour and a love for risqué clay? Join Clay Cafe for their hilarious naughty pottery night. Learn how to use clay to sculpt your naughty clay project that you and your friends will laugh and talk about for years to come.

🎷 Join the MUN Jazz Orchestra for an afternoon of enchanting rhythms from South America and beyond - groove-packed compositions and arrangements that will help you forget that it's still the middle of winter.

🏠 Thinking about buying your first home, but not sure where to start? Join this First-Time Home Buyer Seminar where you’ll be walked through the entire process—from mortgage pre-approval to getting the keys to your dream home!

Sunday

🎶 Join a Who’s Who of Newfoundland and Labrador’s top musicians and singers at the Arts & Culture Centre as they come together to pay tribute to two legendary NL bands – The Sons of Erin and Ryan’s Fancy.

🍿 Wrap up the LOTR movie series at the Majestic Theatre with The Return of the King at 7pm.

😂 Kenny vs Spenny live at the Rec Room after 2 decades of making you laugh with outrageous competitions, humiliations & a never-ending battle between two best friends! 

🧘 Join The Lotus Centre for a day of renewal, connection, and ritual. The event features meditation, crafting, live music, a potluck lunch, and a Witchy Workshop.

Monday

🎸 Have a guitar but not really sure how to play? Sign up for the 4 week beginner class through the A.C. Hunter Library and learn the basics to get you started.

Tuesday

♟️ It’s the last Tuesday of the month so you know what that means… board game night at Boston Pizza Water Street by Downtown Comics. Bring a friend or just bring yourself.

🪴 Get your craft on and paint some mini planters at the A.C. Hunter Library to celebrate Spring.

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

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

• Will the city finally dump X?

• See full agenda

The meeting is at 3 PM, 4th Floor City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

Thanks!

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