Week of September 24-30, 2025

Good morning St. John’s, This is St. John’s Living - the local newsletter that's the spice to your pumpkin.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Ever wanted to be in a Christmas movie? 🎥

• Are you a great dinner party host? 🍽️

• QMJHL Hockey is back! 🥅

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🎥 Open Auditions for The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon

Will you be on the Hallmark Channel this Christmas? Well, no. But this could be the next best thing! St. John’s Players is holding open auditions for their stage production of The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon on Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn downtown. The hilarious rom-com parody will run at the LSPU Hall from December 1-7.

🍽️ If You Love Hosting, Canadian Tourism Wants You!

Milo Casting is currently looking for a host with the most for a unique tourism activation campaign. If you’re a dinner party king or queen and would be open to welcoming 2-4 Americans into your house for dinner in October, read on. Selected hosts will be paid $1500 plus another $500 for food. Applications open now.

🥅 Newfoundland Regiment Start Strong

QMJHL hockey is back with a bang. The Newfoundland Regiment made their debut at the Mary Brown’s Centre this past week with two wins and currently stand on top of the Eastern Conference standings. We love to see it. The team is back in action this weekend with a pair of games on Saturday and Sunday. Will you be there?

Local Business

• MacGillivray Law has purchased the former Gahan House building and is requesting that city council approve an office.

• It’s Bernard Stanley’s final week - drop down for one last favourite.

• The First Light Orange Shirt Day pop-up store is now open at Avalon Mall

What’s Happening This Week

🛳️ Cruise Ships in Port

• September 24: Oceania Allura from 10am-7pm with 1321 passengers

• September 26: Ponant Le Boreal from 6am-1:30pm with 264 passengers

• September 30: Seabourn Venture from 7am-12pm with 264 passengers

• September 30: P&O Cruises Arcadia from 8am-6pm with 2388 passengers

Wednesday

🏆 Trivia at the Rooms is back from summer break! Put your knowledge to the test with host Ramona Dearing, as you dive into questions inspired by the history, geography, and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, and beyond!

🔍 Can’t get enough of cold case crime podcasts? Then you may want to join The Historic Crime Club at the A.C. Hunter Library! Investigate, research, and discuss historic NL crimes. This week they’ll be examining the Shooting of John Carter in 1875.

🍿 MUN Cinema Series is back at Cineplex! This week, check out The Penguin Lessons - follows Steve Coogan as a shy English teacher in 1970s Argentina who rescues a penguin during an oil spill, only to end up hiding the irresistible bird amid the dangers of a military dictatorship. 

Thursday

🎭 A hotline psychic. A haunted house. A dinner date gone horribly wrong. A graveyard in the woods. In this collection of short plays, St. John’s playwright Patrick de Moss explores the nature of lies, secrets, love, and death. In Short debuts tonight at the Barbara Barrett Theatre.

💃 Festival of New Dance continues this week with Paratopias at the LSPU Hall. It blends Indian classical, urban, and contemporary dance with live music and striking visuals to explore belonging, identity, and cultural intersections inspired by Bageshree Vaze’s journey learning dance in St. John’s.

🎸 Lynyrd Skynyrd is celebrating 50 years of rock at Mary Brown’s Centre, winding down their 10-appearance tour of Canada. Tickets are still available.

Friday

🎶 What better way to spend Friday Night on the Rock than with Johnny Reid at Mary Brown’s Centre? American Idol winner Iam Tongi kicks this off at 7:30pm.

🕺 This might be the greatest event on the go for folks who like their sleep. No Later Than 11 is the ultimate dance party for those who want to shake it, laugh it up, and still be in bed by 11pm.

🍺 Boomstick Brewing and Landwash are teaming up for an East + West Oktoberfest. One event, two locations! Live music, games, beer giveaways, and the launch of TWO brand new beers.

Saturday

🏞️ Join the City of St. John’s for Neighbourhood Connect at Markland Park - a family-friendly event celebrating “Harvesting Health” with gardening demos, nutrition tips, games, and community fun.

🎶 Catch award-winning Newfoundland musician Cory Tetford live at the Arts and Culture Centre this Saturday, as he delivers a soulful mix of rock, country, gospel, and heartfelt storytelling.

🍸 Savour an exclusive night of  craft cocktails, featuring premium spirits, fresh local ingredients, and one-of-a-kind creations in a luxury mixology experience. Catch Cocktail Fest at Oiche for one night only.

🎶 Experience the JUNO-winning Ennis Sisters live at the Colonial Building, as they open the 2025 Opera on the Avalon Fall Festival with their signature Celtic-tinged harmonies and heartfelt songs.

Sunday

📚 Celebrate Jen Winsor’s debut book SHIP MOMS by Breakwater Books at Theatre Hill Cafe with a fun afternoon of true tales and behind-the-scenes stories!

🌲 Join Certified Forest Bathing Guide Tina White for a playful, meditative woodland walk that reconnects you with nature, boosts wellbeing, and ends with a soothing tea ceremony.

🛍️ Discover unique finds at the Fall Etsy Market at St. John’s Farmers’ Market, featuring local Etsy makers, vintage treasures, and delicious eats!

🤣 The Two Asians, One Cup Stand-Up Comedy Tour hits St. John’s with two hilarious shows at the Black Sheep. Be prepared to laugh your arse off.

Monday

🧘 Experience the healing power of Spinal Energetics outdoors at Topsail Beach, where you can release, reset, and reconnect with your body as nature amplifies the session.

⛹️ Join Southlands Community Centre on Monday nights for open gym fun—youth from 6–8 pm and adults from 8–10 pm can play sports, games, or just hang out!

Tuesday

🧘‍♂️ Are you a guy looking to work on strength, flexibility, and balance with any fluff? Check out Yoga for Men at the Lantern. Slow things down to calm your nervous system and quiet your mind.

🧑‍🎨 Looking for the perfect fall/back-to-school activity? Drop by Clay Cafe and learn the basics of slab rolling, texture, and attaching pieces as you create your very own Desk Organizer.

🧶 Now that fall is here, are you itching to pick up the knitting needles again? Join like-minded folks at the A. C. Hunter Library. Bring your knitting or favourite stitchcraft and stay for tea, coffee, and conversation.

Municipal News

City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s Regular Council meeting:

• $186,000 to rent a shredder for Robin Hood Bay because of wildfires

• Change in health insurance for new councillors

• 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 yells at baseball umpires on TV like they can hear them.