TOUR: Botanical Arts at The Rooms


Date: Jul 29
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Everywhere
tour

You will find botanical representations in art throughout The Rooms. Symbolism, representation, and science of botanicals will drive our curiosity and pull us deeper into the artists’ creative practices.

Offered Mondays 2:30 pm. Included in the cost of admission.

Events & Programs

10:30 am - 11:00 am
TOUR

What fills the void when a species is no more? Legends, folklore, and history worth learning from. Come listen to the stories of the Great Auk, the Newfoundland Wolf, and Endangered Whales as they echo across the ages through their body and bones. Commiserate with the extinct, heed the calls of the endangered, hold ossified bones, and see how artists transform tragedy into hope for a sustainable future.

Offered Wednesdays 10:30 am

Meet at the entrance to Level 3, in The Connections Gallery

10:30 am - 11:15 am
TOTS

Embark on a monthly musical journey with your little one at the Infant Sensory Music Group, hosted by certified music therapist, Renée White. Join us in exploring the unique art exhibitions at The Rooms, setting the stage for a sensory-rich experience that enhances your infant's development.

Who's Invited:
Newborns to 9 month olds and their caregivers. (This program is designed for younger babies, if your baby is on the move check out our other TOTS programs)

Monthly Sessions:
Immerse yourselves in a new art exhibition each month, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving backdrop for your infant's sensory exploration.

About Ms. Renée:
Renée White, certified music therapist and University of Windsor Honors Bachelor of Music Therapy graduate, brings her expertise to create a warm and welcoming environment. As "Ms. Renée," she shares her passion for using music as a tool for connection and growth.

Secure your spot in this unique program that blends art, music, and infant development.

Cost: $15 (+HST) per session. Cost includes 1 caregiver and 1 infant). 10% discount for Rooms Members. Get your ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

11:30 am - 12:15 pm
TOTS

Embark on a monthly musical journey with your little one at the Infant Sensory Music Group, hosted by certified music therapist, Renée White. Join us in exploring the unique art exhibitions at The Rooms, setting the stage for a sensory-rich experience that enhances your infant's development.

Who's Invited:
Newborns to 9 month olds and their caregivers. (This program is designed for younger babies, if your baby is on the move check out our other TOTS programs)

Monthly Sessions:
Immerse yourselves in a new art exhibition each month, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving backdrop for your infant's sensory exploration.

About Ms. Renée:
Renée White, certified music therapist and University of Windsor Honors Bachelor of Music Therapy graduate, brings her expertise to create a warm and welcoming environment. As "Ms. Renée," she shares her passion for using music as a tool for connection and growth.

Secure your spot in this unique program that blends art, music, and infant development.

Cost: $15 (+HST) per session. Cost includes 1 caregiver and 1 infant). 10% discount for Rooms Members. Get your ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Enjoy performances by local outstanding musicians as they fill The Rooms with music and songs from our province’s rich musical history.  Be prepared to sing along, tap your toes or just sit back and delight in the moment. This is a free, drop in event. 

July  29 – Sherry Ryan

On her fifth album, Shout for More, Sherry Ryan blends folk-pop with country and Irish-Newfoundland roots, affirming her place among Atlantic Canada's beloved singer-songwriters. Her pure voice, adorned with lush arrangements by producer Mark Neary, carries each song's soul into listeners' hearts. Born in Middle Cove, NL, Sherry's acclaimed career includes accolades from the ECMA, MusicNL, and CBC. Compared to Lucinda Williams and John Prine, her vocal style is unforgettable. Her 2018 release, Wreckhouse, featured the celebrated single "Stop the Trains." Shout for More showcases her fresh energy, new stories, and ability to captivate audiences.

AUGUST 2024

August 2 and August 30 - Port-Aux-Poutines: 

Port-Aux-Poutines is a MusicNL Award winning French-Canadian duo based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, formed by Jenna Maloney and Axel Belgarde. Since 2022, Port-Aux-Poutines fuses French-Canadian and Newfoundland musical traditions. Through original songs, folk songs, as well as translations of Newfoundland songs, the band celebrates the diversity of French-Canadian culture, tells stories and legends of the province, and celebrates the heritage of Francophonie in Newfoundland.

August 5 - Andrew Kagumba

Andrew Kagumba is a PhD student in Ethnomusicology at The Memorial University of Newfoundland. He also holds a PhD in Music Education from Texas Tech University. Born and raised in Uganda, Andrew's creative output is deeply influenced by the rich musical heritage of his Ganda culture

August 7, 14, and 28 - Jim Payne

From Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, Jim Payne is a leading performer and collector of Newfoundland traditional music. The multi-instrumentalist and singer, who has performed on six continents, is also one of the province's most prolific songwriters, known for creating musical mosaics that portray the lives of coastal people living on the edge of the Northwest Atlantic.


August 9 and August 21 - Maria Cherwick

Violinist and fiddler Maria Cherwick enjoys a diverse career, from symphony orchestras, to touring internationally with her Ukrainian speed-folk band, The Kubasonics. Twice named MusicNL “Side Musician of the Year” as well as “Celtic/Traditional Artist of the Year”, Maria maintains a busy performing schedule, dividing her time between several country, folk and bluegrass bands, and is highly sought after as a session musician. This year, Maria released her first solo fiddle album (self-titled) with her band Jockey Special.

August 12, 19, and 26 - Ana and Eric

Ana & Eric are a Brazilian duo based in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador. Having performed in Brazil, Europe, and Canada, Ana & Eric offer a unique combination of Brazilian bossa nova and North American indie-folk.  In 2020, the duo released two singles “Hope" and "Lights My Way" as well as their self-titled debut EP, which earned them one nomination at the 2021 ECMA Awards, and three nominations at the 2021 MusicNL Awards. In 2023, the duo released their debut album “Our House From Here” and the singles “I Can See Our House From Here” and “Manhã de Abril" (April Morning), which have received wide coverage in Brazil, Portugal, and Canada. The album was nominated as the 2024 Global Recording of The Year at the ECMA and received three 2023 MusicNL Award nominations.

August 16 and August 23 - Adrian House

Adrian House is a bilingual singer-songwriter from St. John's, NL. His music is an exciting, passionate journey through styles of folk, jazz and rock. Pêcheur de rêves, his first album in French, was released in June 2024, supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Workshop

Come Summer, capelin and squid swarm the shores of Newfoundland & Labrador.

The sight of capelin rolling, alongside stories and songs about squid jigging grounds and the elusive giant squid are the inspiration for this interactive monoprint workshop.

During the workshop, participants will hear facts and lore around these ocean creatures and we’ll share images of artworks and archival photos from The Rooms permanent collections as inspiration. We’ll visit “Davy Jones” the giant squid specimen on exhibit and learn about the important role capelin play in the ocean’s ecosystem. Finally, participants can get hands-on working with real fish and real squid to make their own unique set of one-of-a-kind artworks by inking up the actual fish to make monotype prints.

Participants will also take home a custom postcard set from our Archives of historic images of caplin rolling.

This is a workshop for adults. No experience necessary - all skill levels welcome! Allergy advisory: the workshop involves handling real fish.

Included in the workshop fee:

  • Guided tour of related exhibitions
  • All instruction and materials to create your own set of 6 monotype prints.
  • Light refreshments (tea, coffee and a cookie or muffin from The Rooms Cafe)
  • A voucher for free admission to The Rooms for a return visit

Cost: $50 (plus HST). 10% Discount for Rooms Members. 
Limited spaces! Pre-registration required. To register, please contact Visitor Services at (709)757-8090. For more information on the workshop schedule and content, please contact Joy Barfoot at joybarfoot@therooms.ca

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Teens

Join us at The Rooms for an inspiring two-hour drawing class designed specifically for teens. Whether you’re a budding artist or just curious about exploring your artistic interests, this class is perfect for you!

What to Expect:

Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques, from line work to shading. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbor view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.

This fun and relaxed atmosphere is a place for teens to meet fellow teen artists, share ideas, and enjoy a supportive environment.

Materials Provided: High-quality drawing supplies will be provided.

Unlock your creativity, express yourself, and create beautiful art! No prior experience necessary.  Let’s make art together!

Date and Time:  Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in August

Cost: $20 plus HST per session. 10% discount for Rooms Members. Reserve your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
TOUR

Gather: A Year of the Arts Exhibition

In celebration of Newfoundland & Labrador’s 2024 Year of the Arts, this exhibition features work by 30 artists who all have a connection to this place. Learn about celebrated influential artists like Mary Pratt and Michael Massie, and their contemporaries like multidisciplinary artists Brian Amadi, and Megan Samms.

Offered Mondays 10:30 am; Tuesdays 2:30 pm; and Thursdays 10:30 am.

Included in the cost of admission.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Workshop

Come Summer, capelin and squid swarm the shores of Newfoundland & Labrador.

The sight of capelin rolling, alongside stories and songs about squid jigging grounds and the elusive giant squid are the inspiration for this interactive monoprint workshop.

During the workshop, participants will hear facts and lore around these ocean creatures and we’ll share images of artworks and archival photos from The Rooms permanent collections as inspiration. We’ll visit “Davy Jones” the giant squid specimen on exhibit and learn about the important role capelin play in the ocean’s ecosystem. Finally, participants can get hands-on working with real fish and real squid to make their own unique set of one-of-a-kind artworks by inking up the actual fish to make monotype prints.

Participants will also take home a custom postcard set from our Archives of historic images of caplin rolling.

This is a workshop for adults. No experience necessary - all skill levels welcome! Allergy advisory: the workshop involves handling real fish.

Included in the workshop fee:

  • Guided tour of related exhibitions
  • All instruction and materials to create your own set of 6 monotype prints.
  • Light refreshments (tea, coffee and a cookie or muffin from The Rooms Cafe)
  • A voucher for free admission to The Rooms for a return visit

Cost: $50 (plus HST). 10% Discount for Rooms Members. 
Limited spaces! Pre-registration required. To register, please contact Visitor Services at 757-8090. For more information on the workshop schedule and content, please contact Joy Barfoot at joybarfoot@therooms.ca

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Global Music

Celebrate the diverse talent in our community with this exciting concert series! Led by MusicNL and the Association for New Canadians, this initiative aims to increase the representation and recognition of new musicians in our province. Stay tuned for weekly announcements of featured musicians!

This is a free event. All ages are welcome. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music on the lawn! Please check our social media for updates in case of inclement weather.

This event is offered in partnership with the Association for New Canadians and MusicNL.

 

AUGUST 28
 

7:10 to 7:40:   Baraka
From his home base of St. John’s, NL, Baraka carries with him a sound and spirit sure to deliver a world-class entertainment experience. Originally hailing from the coastal city of Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, Baraka has been performing and writing music since his early teens. Drawing influences from artists such as Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Tracy Chapman, The 1975, Drake, Kanye West, The Script, Usher, and Ne-Yo, he has a natural talent for writing clever lyrics and infectious melodies.

7:55 to 8:25: Eldin Husic
Eldin Husic is a singer-songwriter originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has lived and performed music all over the world. Eldin has more than 25 years of experience in the music scene. In 2002, he moved to South Korea and performed there for 16 years.

Eldin is a proficient instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. He sings and plays original and cover songs in English and his native language. In his compositions, he mixes folk and rock from diverse musical traditions. Since 2018, he is grateful to call Newfoundland home. Eldin likes to sing about love.

8:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Join Nature NL for a fun and informative Moth Night at The Rooms!

Discover the fascinating world of moths with biologists Sean McCann and Catherine Scott. We will set up a "moth sheet" with a mercury vapor lamp, which emits light that attracts moths. Watch as moths land on the sheet, allowing for close observation, photography, and identification. Other nocturnal insects, such as caddisflies, lacewings, and midges, will also be drawn to the light, providing a glimpse into the nighttime biodiversity of St. John's.

Recommendations:

  • Bring a mobile device with the iNaturalist app installed
  • Wear outerwear, as the event is entirely outdoors

This event is supported by Memorial University’s Office of Public Engagement in collaboration with Nature NL and The Rooms.

The alternate date is Wednesday, August 28 at 8:30 pm.

Photo credit: Dr. Sean McCann