After sold-out shows in St. John’s and Halifax in 2019, well known Afro-German-Caribbean disco and funk vocal group Boney M. featuring Liz Mitchell return to Atlantic Canada for seven ‘Holiday Favourites and Classic Hits’ shows this November and December.

Tickets for Halifax, Moncton, Charlottetown, Truro, and Sydney go on sale this Friday, September 23 at 10 a.m. and tickets for Corner Brook and St. John’s go on sale this Friday, September 23 at 12 noon.

Tickets for the Corner Brook show will be available online at cbciviccentre.com

Tickets for the St. John’s show will be available at the Mary Brown’s Centre Box Office (50 New Gower Street), by calling 1-709-576-7657 and online at mbcentre.ca

Originally founded in Germany by writer and producer Frank Farian, Boney M. was one of the disco-oriented pop acts which dominated the European charts throughout the late seventies and early eighties with a string of hits well remembered to this day. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and their discography of hits is extensive. The group had eight #1 hits on the European charts, including Daddy Cool, Sunny, Ma Baker, Belfast, Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring, Rasputin, and Mary’s Boy Child. In addition to the successes of Boney M’s singles was the success of three #1 albums in the European market.

Now in the 21st Century, there is obviously no doubt that songs from the past are far more popular than ever before. Boney M’s international success during the past thirty-five years has proven that their hits belong to the collection of timeless classics. In 2022, Boney M. featuring Liz Mitchell is still a phenomenal live act drawing huge crowds across Europe.  The live show is as spectacular as ever and they are currently making live appearances in concert halls, arenas, and festivals around the world.

Boney M. live in Atlantic Canada is presented by VaughCo Entertainment: vaughncoentertainment.com

Unlike it’s December counterpart, the seasonal traditions of Easter aren’t nearly as universal as Christmas. The Herald celebrates some of the customs these Newfoundlanders hold dear

Easter has long had associations that fall outside of the religious observance, many of which hearken back to traditions and customs from many different societies and beliefs.

German immigrants to North American brought their Eastertide traditions to North America in the 17th century, with the most prominent being an egg-laying hare known as the Osterhase.

Decorating eggs go back to the 1200s for many Christian groups, although the idea of painting eggs can be found in Africa and Mesopotamia centuries before.

The lily flower originates in Japan and became a part of Easter celebrations in Canada following the First World War.

As for the fancy bonnet, it was long considered a Christian headcovering for Easter. It sprang up as part of a tradition of wearing new clothes at Easter, to coincide with the renewal, both natural and spiritual that comes with the changing seasons and religious redemption.

Here are a few of the memories some prominent Newfoundlanders and Labradorians recall about Easter traditions in their respective families.

SELINA BOLAND

“My mother, Laverne Squires, kept the Jewish Passover, which was often around the same time. We’d always get a chocolate bunny each regardless.

She taught us the enjoyment of the chocolate, but reminded us that the Easter Bunny wasn’t real and that the secular holiday shouldn’t take the place of the true meaning, which is how Jesus rose from the tomb, of course. I wrote a song about it years later, about how Jesus rode in on a donkey while people lay out branches for him. “A Man On A Donkey” was on my first album.”

JESSE STIRLING

My Easter memories of youth are of my mom always arranging an amazing Easter Basket for me, filled with all sorts of goodies like jelly beans, chocolate, and marshmallow treats. It was almost like a mini-Christmas morning, with anticipation for what the Easter basket would look like this year.

Now that I have a child, the Easter basket tradition continues. We also do an egg hunt with her three cousins (my sister Lydia’s kids). It’s so much fun to see the excitement on my daughter Olivia’s face as she races around and tries to collect eggs, and her older cousins are always gracious to make sure they don’t find all the eggs first, leaving some for Livvy.

My mom and dad love watching their three grandsons and one granddaughter run around on Easter morning looking for eggs, then we usually all go to church, followed by a big Easter brunch together.

My memories of Easter in Newfoundland is that it still felt like winter outside, with snow on the ground. Let’s get real – we are all ready for summer in Newfoundland by May 24!

With Covid restrictions lifted, this Easter will probably feel extra special for many, as we are allowed to now gather together. 

For me, this creates extra appreciation for the moment, for the little things, like going out to a restaurant or going to church. Being free and happy. And celebrating that Jesus is risen!”

BILL GREGORY

“A tradition for my family that started probably in the early 2000’s was flipper pie on Good Friday. My mother makes a mean pie and she says it’s all in the “prep work.”

I remember one year when I was a kid (late 70’s/early 80’s), I woke up really early on Easter Sunday and went to see what the Easter Bunny had left for me. Normally, I’d get a bunny and some chocolate, and then the egg hunt began. But this Easter, there was nothing! So, I went to my parents’ bedroom and said, “The Easter Bunny didn’t come!”

My mom was still asleep so she groggily replied, “Oh… he hasn’t been here yet. Go back to bed.” I did, and a few hours later as daylight finally shone though, Peter Cottontail had arrived. Looking back, it must have been a chore for the Easter Bunny to hide eggs in a small saltbox house with six kids.

These days, it’s fun being around my nieces and nephews, and others close to me with children. It’s the excitement of discovery as we watch them frantically look for eggs and toying with them when you hint that you can see more. Then, of course, the inevitable sugar crash. Sometimes, Easter eggs can still be found days, even months, after. It’s like needles from a Christmas tree.”

PETRINA BROMLEY

“We were a Catholic family, so Easter was more about church than chocolate. However, we did have a few days off from school! I remember a lot of girls in my class would take family trips to Florida at Easter and I was always envious.  They’d come back with shell rings and necklaces and tans, and it seemed like such an exotic thing to me. 

There was one Easter though, when my mom gave my sister and I handmade dolls. Someone at her work was making them and she bought us one each, a Raggedy Ann and a Raggedy Andy. They’re beautifully done and we still have them!”

AMY HOUSE

“I don’t remember having a basket when we were growing up in Stephenville, or an Easter egg hunt. It seemed like other people had baskets in hay and things like an Easter hunt. 

But still, I remember our table being full of chocolate eggs at breakfast, and this one Easter, I remember my father was out on the grass in his bare feet, and he got stung by a bumblebee!”

BERNI STAPLETON

“I actually have very, very strong emotional memories about Easter because my mother, Geraldine Stapleton, was a teacher and she always made sure that I had a new coat and new shoes for Easter.

It was always something that I thought was going to transform my life because I would usually order them from the Simpson-Sears catalogue. I always insisted on wearing them to mass on Easter Sunday, even though there was usually still snow around at that time. For some reason that was the tradition my mom created just for me.

But I also remember all these religious movies on TV portraying the crucifixion, and me with my little brothers would watch these horrible things being done to this poor man. 

We’d watch in terror and not be able to sleep the whole weekend. So, Easter Sunday was always a big deal for getting a new coat and being terrified.”

KELLIE CULLIHALL

“I grew up in Deer Lake and in Grade three, our teacher, Mrs. Luther, had us do a project making bonnets for Easter. I had no idea what an Easter bonnet was, but anyone who wanted could make one at home and bring it in for display. 

I’d use any excuse to dress up and even had my own tickle trunk and so my mother and I set about making what was basically a fancy hat. 

I very proudly went off to school with my “bonnet” and even though, not a lot of my classmates made them, we did get a picture of the whole class which I still have.

In our family, my grandfather was an expert at blowing eggs. He would put a small hole in both ends of an egg with a needle and then blow into one hole until all of the contents come out of the other end. 

It hurt my face, so grandfather would do them all for me so I could just focus on my expert six-year-old decorating skills.”

I ran into my sister at the grocery store the other day and we compared a few grocery cart items. One thing that became clear was our differences when it comes to snacking. 

In my cart there were nuts, dried fruit, and yes, a family-sized bag of chocolate covered almonds. In hers? Enough salted snacks to coat all outport roads in winter from November to April in a bad year. She was also sluggin’ two jumbo sized, very not fun looking jugs of some sort of pink floor scrubbin’ substance along with enough Javex to sanitize ten fish trawlers. The only cleaning product ready to be purchased in my cart was for dish washing, and that’s because it was for under two bucks on sale and I figured with the cost of everything these days there was nar bit harm in picking up a spare bottle. “Fine set of jugs,” I said to my sister as she slugged the sanitizing ammo out of her cart to check out.

‘Spring cleaning, maid’

“What are you planning on doing with those big things?” I asked. She gave me a look. “Spring cleaning, maid,” she said with a twinkly gleam in her eye. That made us both laugh. “A maid would have to come with this purchase to excite me,” I teased. Truth is, I still don’t have my house ready for last Christmas let alone being ready to welcome spring into my home. While she welcomed the spring-ahead time-change with the refreshing scent of bleach and forest pine needles, I’m more the open the window and let the stink blow off us all kind. 

In spite of my disdain for dutifully  disinfecting the works and walls and all of that, I do love this time of year. The evenings are longer, the air smells of hope for better weather and kids are a heck of a lot easier to love when they spend more time outdoors than in. 

Plus, what’s not to love about Easter?  For a chocolate lover like myself, it’s a bonanza in the form of an Easter bunny’s edible ears. Kids get all excited for the Easter Bunny and the goodies and treats he’ll bring. Clothing colours are bright, smiles delight as the frigid temps become but a memory and there’s a skip in everyone’s step as they step out to face the day with the promise of May two-four just around the corner.

Paradise in the sky

Plus, life has pretty much returned to a pre-COVID normal, and what’s not to love about that?  My nephew was out for a drive with my sister not long after our grocery store excursion and had me on speaker as we spoke. As always, his little rabbit ears were tuned in to make sure he missed none of the conversation. “Where are you now?” I asked, planning to connect once our running around for the day was done.

“In Paradise,” my sister answered, to which my four-year-old nephew – often babysat by his 70-plus year-old church-going grandparents – replied, “Hey guys. Nanny says Paradise is up in the sky…” That may be, kid, but this time of year, it’s pretty heavenly right here on earth too. Longer evenings, warmer temps (eventually), opened windows to let the dust bunnies fly, and access to all the chocolate bunny ears one’s heart desires.

Pam Pardy, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing pghent@nfldherald.com

Local trad legends Shanneyganock have unveiled plans for their annual Shanneyganock Christmas performance at the Delta in St. John’s.

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Special guests The Valley, The Craig Young Band and Celtic Connection.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday Nov 30th at The Mary Brown’s Centre box office at the cost of $50 plus HST and applicable service fees.

All Covid protocols in effect and proof of vaccination is required. Limited tickets available.

“We’re back for Tibbs Eve at The Rockhouse,” Whitty shared via social media. “A Christmas tradition now. Backing band featuring Nick Earle, Daniel George and Peter Green. Opening set by Andrew Rodgers.”

Tickets just $20 and are available at this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…/dave-whitty-tibbs-eve-at…

Official Bio: Dave Whitty has been a member of the music scene in St. John’s, Newfoundland since age seventeen. He got his start playing solo sets of original music and recording a couple small demos, while trying to learn how the music community worked.

As Dave’s talent developed, so did his focus. After three years of solo work, Dave formed At Ships End with a couple friends. The Celtic/Folk/Rock group soon gained notoriety in the St. John’s music scene, playing everything from Christmas kitchen parties to the infamous George Street Festival. Although At Ships End is still present in the St. John’s music scene, Dave decided after three years with the band to move on and pursue something different.

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Since then, Dave has been playing gigs around St. John’s, building his already loyal following, including a few weekly George Street residencies–one affectionately being called Quidi Whitty Tuesday at the historic Trapper John’s pub. During the other days of the week, Dave can be found in other venues, booked to open for touring acts as well as booking and promoting his own shows.

The Duds are Melanie O’Brien and Philip Goodridge, two artists from St. John’s, Newfoundland who have been working together for the past ten years. After touring Atlantic Canada in 2019 they released their debut album, “These Words I Can’t Forget” in March 2020. The Duds were subsequently nominated for two MusicNL awards: Bell Aliant Pop Artist of the Year and MDIIO Rising Star of the Year.

Produced by award-winning producer/songwriter/filmmaker Ian Foster, the record combined The Duds’ folk-tinged roots sound with bright pop beats, resulting in something elevated, elemental, spicy-sweet and fully their own.

Separately, Melanie and Philip have each carved out their own paths in the music industry. O’Brien’s debut solo album “Shining in The Blue” earned her three MusicNL Award nominations and as a vocal coach she holds the 2017 MusicNL Award for Music Educator of the Year. Goodridge is a multi-faceted artist and a seasoned professional theatrical performer, working in Newfoundland for over 20 years. Together, The Duds are versatile, playful-yet-confessional, upbeat-yet-balladeers ? they’re undeniably meant to be on stage

Not slowing down in isolation, Melanie and Philip used the time to write and record – they released a brand new pop single, “Til We Run” on Sept 10th and now they have four original holiday tunes coming this November and December. In classic Dud fashion, they have found a creative, fun way to release the songs. The theme is a “Dudvent” calendar – building momentum with one song landing on streaming platforms each Friday leading up to Christmas.

Also produced by Ian Foster, the three worked together to create music that captured the wonder and mystery of the holidays while also bringing a very honest, heartfelt perspective of the season. Wrapped in romance, truth and the seasons own magic, The Duds hope that these stories will resonate throughout the winter holidays for years to come.

Song Release Schedule
-Friday, November 26th
– Before The Night (Tibbs Eve) A Song that is a reference to Dec 23rd, a special date where people start to celebrate just a little early and end up romantically tangled in a time out of time moment.

-Friday, December 3rd
– Solstice An upbeat pop tune that reflects on winter seasons past andpresent and the life and light the darkest times can bring forth.

-Friday, December 10th
– The Party. A moving ballad that recognizes the joy while acknowledging the stress the season can bring, reaching out to those who suffer during the holidays.

-Friday, December 17th
– Christmas Daze. A bittersweet recalling of holidays past full of love and life and the hope for more to come.

Songwriters – Philip Goodridge and Melanie O’Brien
Production and arranging work – Ian Foster at If and When Studios
Mixing – Scott Hammond at The Blue Room
Mastering – Richard Bradley at Long Range Mastering
Graphic Design and Photos – Jerry Stamp at Jerry Stamp Creative

Melanie and Philip are currently working as resident artists with Terra Bruce Productions and are performing and touring in the Musical, No Change in the Weather coming to Mirvish Productions in Toronto November 20-27th.

https://www.facebook.com/duds4life
https://www.instagram.com/duds4life/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uEhjVdxyjCd_rlPVW6STg

https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/the-duds/1499586201

https://soundcloud.com/duds4life

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Tickets are $32 – $53 (including tax and service charge) and will available November 18th at the Holy Heart Theatre box office, by phone at 709-579-4424 and sonicconcerts.com.

JUNO-nominated, Newfoundland duo Fortunate Ones will celebrate the season at home in St. John’s with the return of their Holiday Show on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at the Arts and Culture Centre. Special guest is Nico Paulo.

Performing a collection of Christmas classics and their own festive tunes, including the Alan Doyle-produced “Hold On To Christmas Day” and their EP All Will Be Well, Fortunate Ones will warm up your winter with plenty of cheer to make your holidays merry and bright! 

“It’s true, it’s really happening. We’re hitting the road this December for some holidays shows with Matt Andersen and Reeny Smith in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island,” shared Catherine Allan in a video announcing the tour.”

Adds partner in crime Andrew James O’Brien, “It’s been a minute! We can’t wait to see you on the road with Matt and Reeny. We’ll see you soon!”

WE’RE GOING ON TOUR!!

December holiday shows with Matt Andersen & Reeny Smith

Dec 1 – Fredericton, NB – Fredericton Playhouse

Dec 2 – Saint John, NB – Imperial Theatre

Dec 3 – Moncton, NB – The Capitol Theatre

Dec 4 – Pictou, NS – deCoste Performing Arts Centre

Dec 6-7 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cultural Centre

Dec 9 – Glacé Bay, NS – The Savoy Theatre

Dec 10 – Charlottetown, PE – Confederation Centre of the Arts

Dec 11 – Wolfville, NS – Acadia University

Dec 16/17 – Halifax, NS – Dalhousie Arts Centre

Dec 18 – Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts