Spotlight on Music


Date: Aug 9
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Level 2

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.

Events & Programs

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Auks, Wolves and Whales

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 Fridays 2:30 pm

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

"The Forgotten Warriors", directed by Noel Joe, is the unbelievable true story of the courageous last stand by Mi'kmaq activists from Conne River, NL. 

In 1983, 9 individuals risked their lives by beginning a hunger strike in a desperate plea to the government to release funds owed to them.  It was an act of courage and determination fueled by a hunger for justice - justice for their families, those who came before them, and those who would come behind. 

This is a free event but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709 )757-8090.

About the Director:
Noel Joe was born and raised in Miawpukek First Nations (Conne River) Reserve in Bay D'Espoir, Newfoundland.  

A strong advocate for Indigenous youth,  Noel served as Co-Chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council. He was elected to Miawpukek First Nations Band Council in 2012 and served two consecutive terms.

Noel has been involved in several community initiatives, most notably The Red Road Walk from Miawpukek to St. John’s, raising $12,000 for homelessness and youth at risk in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In 2012 Noel was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II diamond jubilee for his many efforts in volunteerism and involvement.   

His love of politics led him to pursue a bid for Federal and Provincial politics under the NDP banner. In 2022 Noel began working for the Office of Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before returning home to Miawpukek.  He sits on the Board of Directors for the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation and is a member of Art’s NL Indigenous Advisory Circle.

Noel is an emerging first-time filmmaker having directed his first documentary film “The Forgotten Warriors” produced by Up Sky Down Films.

Closed captioning is currently unavailable for this film. We understand the importance of this feature and are working to include it in future screenings. Thank you for your understanding.

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Teens

Join us at The Rooms for an inspiring 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!

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