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

Gillian Phillips is the director of The Trinity Market – George Street’s only local market. The Trinity Market happens every second Sunday afternoon from 12-5pm at the Trinity Pub located on George Street in downtown St. John’s. 

“We kicked off our market again this weekend (catch them Aug. 21, Sept. 4th & again on Sept. 18th) after a very long wait, and starting up the Market again earlier this summer was great and we couldn’t be happier,” Phillips said. 

Phillips, who owns Gingerly Bakery, can be found there on market days selling her incredible and yummy plant-based treats. 

In its third summer, the market was started in 2020 in an effort to connect the growing tourism base on the island with home-based business owners themselves right in the heart of downtown St. John’s. 

“We wanted to showcase local businesses all over the island who may not have an opportunity to sell their products in other places or at other markets. This market rotates its vendors and features a different lineup every event, ensuring everyone a fair chance to sell their goods. We wanted to bring the beautiful artisans of this province into the heart of downtown and have done so successfully,” she said.

A wide variety

The Trinity Market started just a month before the pandemic. Despite travel restrictions and decreasing numbers in tourism, the energetic crew of vendors continued to operate. 

“With the addition of the pedestrian mall and the foot traffic in the downtown core, we saw an incredible amount of visitors and vendors were able to prosper from this alone,” she continued. 

“This year we have received hundreds of applications from small businesses island wide seeking a place to sell their products. Many of us have lost store fronts, or downsized our businesses during the pandemic. Many have turned to online forums to sell products, therefore we were eager to be able to sell face to face again.”

With a large number of cruise ships visiting this summer – a major reason for choosing their market location – Phillips shared that things have turned around. 

“Oftentimes these tourists do not have time to go to St. John’s Farmers’ Market, and they have only a few hours to explore downtown. The Trinity Market offers a space for these tourists to shop for souvenirs and purchase directly from the maker.”  

The Trinity Market has a wide variety of vendors from hand crafted items, knits, jewelery, baked goods, art, clothing and with hot food vendors on site and great specials on drinks and beer all day, it’s a great way to spend some time. Plus, it’s a family friendly market. “We even welcome dogs, with The Trinity Pub having one of the only pet friendly patios in the city. We aim to be a friendly and inclusive space for all to enjoy.” 

Help spread the word about this community event, or better yet, visit them in person or online @trinitymarketongeorge and on Instagram @the.trinitymarket

“I’m looking forward to it very much,” shared frontman Robin Wilson in advance of the showcase. “It’s a beautiful community and a lovely countryside. I’m planning to make the most of it. I’m coming up with my girlfriend and I’m a big fan of Our Lady Peace, so to share the bill with them is exciting. I’m a big fan, so that’s exciting.”

The band have been touring in support of the chart-topping sophomore record New Miserable Experience, with the exercise in revisiting their breakthrough record a bittersweet one, Wilson shares.

“Yes, it’s very heavy,” Wilson admits of revisiting their sophomore record, one that spawned the hits Hey Jealously, Until I Fall Away and Found Out About You.

“There’s a lot to think about, there’s a great deal to unpack when thinking about New Miserable Experience. Of course, most of it is pride and pride in the band for surviving and for continuing our career, but there are many bittersweet memories associated with recording New Miserable Experience”

For our full one-on-one with Wilson check out an upcoming issue of The Newfoundland Herald. Tickets are still available for the inaugural Churchill Park Music Festival!

Doctor’s House Inn & Spa ~Green’s Harbour, NL

Jerry Byrne is the ultimate energetic host, and his passion is on bust the day we visit as he shows new summer staff – mostly come from away university students – the ropes as well as the premises. 

While the property – acres upon acres of paths, trees, flowers and other magnificent greenery – sparkles, the real gem at The Doctor’s House Inn & Spa is the staff. There’s Stephanie and Lucas (the magical fire starter-upper on the evening we visit) and Ruby, just for starters, but the entire historic property beams with positivity and welcoming warmth.

It’s likely that energy comes from Byrne himself – an engineer turned inn owner. 

“This is a passion, and you have to be passionate about people and the place you’re welcoming them to if you are going to survive in the tourism industry,” he shared as we took a tour through the main guest house. With stunning architecture to take in as well as art work created by Byrne’s wife – the beautiful Emily Fouchard of Siren House Art Studio – throughout, the tour is more of a gloriously slow meandering about. The rooms are all named after the tree that is most pronounced from the window in each. Chestnut. Beach. The trees – and the view of them from each and every room named after them – is breathtaking. 

The Doctor’s House Inn & Spa has it all. Nightly entertainment at times. Spa services. Tranquility. Brilliant sunsets. Spectacular weather – Byrne can proudly boast an incredible average of successful outside garden weddings to attest to that very fact. Great friendly staff. Mouth watering dining options prepared by the talented Tyler and served in the most spectacular setting – a barn designed to look like an upside down boat. There’s one of a kind (sort of) animals on the premises and the history? It’s all so incredibly much to take in on one visit. 

Peace. Quiet. Beauty. It’s all there. The windows that frame the secret garden came from an old church, Byrne explained, stressing the importance of preserving the history of this place.

Stone – collected by Dr. Body, the properties original owner – stands testament to Byrne’s commitment to preserve and protect the property’s history.  Byrne’s tour consists of tales of Dr. Body. 

“This barn, that was the original home. He kept Newfoundland ponies in the barn area and he and his wife and children lived upstairs, using the horses as a heating source in the colder months.”

Dr. Body – a  former Psychiatrist at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) in St. John’s – used the property as his retreat. 

To truly appreciate the premises, one must visit – and you don’t have to be an overnight guest either! The dining (make a reservation) is open for all, and the sunsets are free! 

We feed the resident African Boer Goats before moving on to visit Joseph and Clara – the only two Newfoundland Heritage Rams in the province. Then, the stars of the 30-room property – Newfoundland Ponies! Monty steals the spotlight, however, as he’s actually a magical colour-changing horse! The story  involves artist and Newfoundland pony enthusiast and fellow Green’s Harbour resident Clifford George. More next week!

To connect with the Doctor’s House Inn & Spa visit them at doctorshousenl.ca

St. John’s Walking Tours ~ St. John’s, NL

If you’d like to join the tour tomorrow, it’ll be leaving at 2:00 from the bronze statue at the east end of George Street,” the message read. Having done so much adventuring outside the city limits, spending an afternoon downtown sounded grand.

St. John’s Walking Tours is proudly brought to life by Pierre Trowbridge and Melissa Hogan, two longtime friends and passionate travellers that say they are now bringing their passion to the streets of St. John’s. 

Their journey began in January 2020 at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trowbridge was travelling by bicycle from Vietnam to Cambodia to visit friends on his winter vacation and, as his journey got underway, there were stories of an unknown virus. Pierre wound up stranded outside China and decided that the best place for him to be was back in Canada. Trowbridge and Hogan reunited and began working on the creation of St John’s Walking Tours. 

“We’re very proud of what we’ve created and the hard work we put in is finally paying off and we are excited to bring these entertaining and informative tours to visitors and locals alike,” Trowbridge, said. Some interesting tidbits. The Colonial Building, completed in 1850, was built to house Newfoundland’s Representative Government. It’s also home to a very funny story that tells us why, to this very day, the legislature in NL is unique among its kind. Wanna find out more? Book a tour! As for Jelly Bean Row, there are many colourful myths as to why houses in downtown are painted so brightly. While the truth, they tease, is ‘blander’ than the houses themselves, the tale still makes for a grand yarn. Dying to know? Then book a tour! 

For more visit stjohnswalkingtours.com or find them on Facebook

A lazy river! Markland, NL

Who knew such a thing existed? A two (give or take) hour experience on a relaxing river just outside St. John’s that appears to be deigned by nature for exactly this: a relaxing adventure on the water. 

The tubes are designed for comfort and fun and are easy to navigate through the Hodge River. 

While some areas are shallow and require a little ‘portaging’ (wear appropriate foot wear) for the majority of the ride, you can simply float along. 

A paddle is provided for anyone interested in a little maneuvering, but for the most part – float and enjoy the ride as well as the scenery! 

Great for families, including young children, this is a fun activity for all to enjoy! 

For more visit windatyourbacknl.ca or follow them on Facebook (Summer Hours Vary)

Beothuk Interpretation Centre – Boyd’s Cove, NL

The Boyd’s Cove site in eastern Notre Dame Bay on the northeast coast is situated at the bottom of a bay and protected by a maze of islands that shelter it from waves and winds, making it a perfect sport for the Beothuks to settle.

The site was found in 1981 while a survey team were out looking to locate Beothuk settlements. Visiting the Boyd’s Cove Beothuk Interpretation Centre is a great way to revisit the history that was uncovered during those excavations. Walk the trails and take in the same air and see the same sights as the Beothuk did. There’s uncovered treasures to behold. Visiting is free for Come Home Year 2022. 

For more visit Beothuk Interpretation Centre on Facebook or www.seethesites.ca

Raine Maida has done it all. Vocalist to multi-platinum selling, Juno winning rockers Our Lady Peace, the polished, poised and perennially put-together Canuck paused to reflect on three decades fronting one of our nation’s most successful musical staples.

“I think I definitely have come to a place where I’ve slowed down in terms of being able to be in the moment,” Maida shared from his Los Angeles home. 

The band is fresh off their genre-defying, production-pushing Wonderful Future tour, where they’d roll out hologram special guests in a thematic tribute to their 10th studio album Spiritual Machines 2 – itself a sequel to the lauded concept album inspired by futurist Raymond Kurzweil’s book The Age of Spiritual Machines.

“I think it was really organic in the sense of during COVID we couldn’t tour, and we really didn’t get to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Spiritual Machines like we probably would have,” Maida shared of the decision to re-visit the themes and concepts of 2000s Spiritual Machines.

“Everyone was stuck indoors, so we took a look at Spiritual Machines, and when you start dissecting it, not even musically, it was just like wow, this is pretty cool. You listen to the interstitials that Ray talks about between the songs. It’s like s**t, a lot of this, mostly everything came true. As a human being, I’m like damn, I’d love to know what the next 20 years looks like for Ray. And so when you start extrapolating that from the music you’re like okay, if we want to go back to Ray and ask him to give us another 20 years predictions, we probably need an album to back it up, you know? And that was kind of it.”

‘Being Inspired’

Enlisting the aid of producer Dave Sitek (of TV on the Radio fame), Maida, bassist Duncan Coutts, guitarist Steve Mazur and drummer Jason Pierce, set to work on delving back into Kurzweil’s predictions for a future-rock record that, as Maida puts it was “the record I’ve been trying to make for ten years now.”

“I think as a band and for me as an artist, it’s not about getting bored, but I just never saw art as being something that should be copied by yourself, if that makes sense,” Maida shared. “I’m all for being inspired and borrowing from other artists. And I think Bowie said it first, like the best artists are the best thieves really, you know? So I’ve always taken that approach.”

2022 is a year of milestones for Our Lady Peace, marking the bands’ overall 30th anniversary, while also serving as the 20th anniversary of the groups’ landmark worldwide hit Gravity, which spawned the chart-topping singles Somewhere Out There and Innocent.

Reflecting on all parts of the journey, and Maida is content with the groups’ most recent effort, signaling it as one of the hallmarks of a career filled to bursting with changes.

Long-awaited reunion

“At the end of the day it’s like coming full circle where Spirits Machines 2 is, dude if this was the last record we made I could say, yeah, this is the right way to go out, for me at least. I’m not going to speak for the other guys, but I’m very proud of this record. It’s the first OLP record that I can still put on and listen to. Every other record I get inside my head. I’m like I would have done this. This is just like, you know what, I’m in. I just submit to this and I love it.”

Part of this most recent sonic highway for Maida and company required a reunion with longtime OLP guitarist Mike Turner, who contributed to Spiritual Machines 2 and also took part in the acclaimed Wonderful Future Tour.

“I said in interviews before we released Spiritual Machines 2, it’s like we couldn’t have done it without it Mike,” Maida shared honestly. “He brought that book into the studio when we were starting to make that fourth record. I couldn’t conceive ever releasing a Spiritual Machines 2 album without Mike being a part of it.”

To the business at hand, and the band is set to return to Newfoundland and Labrador at the inaugural Churchill Park Music Festival, alongside fellow chart-toppers Matchbox Twenty, on August 13th.

“It’s funny. I go back to the George Street ones that we’ve done. That just really gives me the vibe of Newfoundland,” Maida shared with a smile. “It’s such a special thing. It doesn’t always work out in terms of scheduling how we can make it work. But there’s never been a huge gap, I think, where we haven’t played Newfoundland. So I can’t wait. I definitely love playing in the summer more than the winter too. I”m glad we’re coming back during the summer (laughs).”

Further reflecting on the winding road of ups and downs and startling successes that have defined Our Lady Peace, and Maida is refreshingly honest about the journey, and more than content with the destination.

“You talk about Gravity. Like, that thing blows up in the U.S. Somewhere Out There is a huge hit and Innocent and it’s like all this attention. And that was really like five albums into our career, right? So that was weird. People are like, ‘Wow, can you believe you’re having success again? And I’m like yeah, but you know what? For me, I was just judging myself on a body of work. Like we’re not there yet. And I always held to that,” Maida shared, honestly, concluding that, with this most recent chapter in the Our Lady Peace discography, the mosaic fells complete.

“It’s funny, because now with Spiritual Machines 2 included in that body of work, now I think I can call it a body of work and I’m cool with it. So it’s a great moment to be in this band.”

For tickets and more information on the Churchill Park Music Festival visit churchillparkmusicfestival.com

It’s a tradition that spans over two centuries, interrupted by two world wars, the Great Fire of 1892 and, most recently, a global pandemic.

In 2020, the Royal St. John’s Regatta was cancelled due to the global pandemic, the first time the event was suspended since 1940 – the first full year of the Second World War.

The Regatta, of course, is the biggest single gathering in the province with between 30-50,000 people showing up at Quidi Vidi Lake for the first Wednesday in August – therefore the postponement seemed inevitable with the country battling Covid.

Health care guidelines

The Regatta returned in 2021 but looked much different without the garden party atmosphere. The vendors and games of chance were absent and spectators were asked to stay at home to follow health care guidelines. The races, though, went on.

Yes, it was a year of sacrifice for the sport and those who enjoy the annual event.

However, the tradition continues with Come Home Year 2022 – featuring commemorative medals to mark the Platinum Jubilee Royal St. John’s Regatta.

“Both the Regatta and Come Home 2022 are about, ‘reconnection.’ We’ve spoken about Come Home reuniting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with their family and friends who are living away,” says Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. “And this year, with the races and the traditional garden party component of the event going ahead, the Regatta is reconnecting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the long-held tradition of spending a day ‘at the races’ cheering on the athletes and enjoying some concessions and games.”

As expected, Covid-19 left an indelible mark. Some crews opted out last year and, well, registration numbers are down with just over 70 crews registered right now compared to the well over 100 just several years ago.

However, those numbers are impressive and there’s a renewed excitement at Quidi Vidi Lake.

“There’s so much energy down around the lake. We also have big plans for Regatta Day Eve, leading into the big day, and it’s going to be a great day for rowers, spectators and vendors,” says Ashley Peach, Vice-President of the Regatta Committee and Captain of the Course. “Everyone is so excited.”

Over 200 years

Even after over 200 years, there’s still room to make history. For the first time ever, women can row the full course. Until now, women have been directed to a short course of 1,225 metres, half of the 2,450-metre length of the full course. 

Women have been advocating for the change for decades and it’s a new era. The Studio Verso team are regarded as favorites with a crew of talented rowers. 

“The feedback has been incredible,” says Peach. “Everyone is so excited to see this come to fruition on Regatta Day.”

It’s a year of breaking down barriers. At its virtual AGM earlier this year, the Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee elected a new Board of Directors, marking history with the first time both the President and Vice-President roles were held by a female, simultaneously. 

Noelle has been elected into the role of President for the 204th Anniversary Royal St. John’s Regatta. A prestigious position, which hasn’t been encompassed by a female since Gail Malone served a two-year term, ending in 2005. 

Peach, a seasoned volunteer,  championship rower and former coxswain/coach has been elected as the fifth female Vice-President, succeeding a list of strong female leaders – Siobhan Coady, Sharon Tiller, Gail Malone and Noelle Thomas-Kennell.

“I am thrilled to have been elected as the second female President of the Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee and am honoured to lead our team in planning the province’s oldest sporting event,” said Noelle Thomas-Kennell. 

 The top men’s and women’s crews are back to defend their titles. They proved it at time trials. The top women’s crew for the short course turned out to be last year’s Regatta winners, Hyflodraulic, with a time of 5:13:86.

This crew has emerged one of the greatest to ever compete.

The NTV Men’s Crew came in at 9:39:85 to claim the top stake in the men’s long course race. 

As for the women’s long course race, three crews participated during time trials, with Studio Verso coming out on top, with a time of 11:05:11.

The 204th running of the regatta is scheduled for Aug. 3, weather pending.

Two of Canada’s finest slingers of riffs and good times – Cancer Bats and Comeback Kid – are heading to St. John’s on October 8th at The Rockhouse in St. John’s.

Direct support provided by Jim Jones & The Kool-Aid Jammers and Of The Black.

“I started planning this show in 2019/20,” shared promoter Johnny Rawkhard. “It was going to happen in the summer of 2020, but I’m incredibly happy to finally make this happen on October 8th!”

Set times are as follows:

Canadian heavy metal legends, the truest of the original gangsters, Exciter will make their – unbelievably  long awaited – Newfoundland debut on July 23rd at The Rock House in St. John’s.

Established all the way back in 1979, the trio of founding members Dan Beehler (vocals/drums), Allan Johnson (bass) and newly minted guitarist Daniel Dekay have long since been established as one of the pillars of Canadian metal, earning god-tier status alongside heavyweights Annihilator, Sacrifice, Razor, Anvil and Voivod for their genre-shaping work in the 1980s.

Sitting down with the multi-versed stick-man and mic-slayer Beehler, and the career metalhead reflects on over four decades of music and memories, including the impending 40th anniversary of Exciter’s debut album Heavy Metal Maniac.

“It was a long time ago, but it’s fascinating that we’re still out there f***ing playing those songs that we wrote when we were kids,” Beehler opens with a chuckle. 

“The people, they still want to hear it. We just did a festival in Poland and played the album in its entirety. In some ways I guess it feels like it was yesterday, but a lifetime has gone by and it’s pretty cool.”

Did Beehler and company recognize the shifting landscape of the Canadian rock and metal world as it was being forged by he and his peers in the 1980s?

“It was just like passing ships in the night,” he admits. 

“We didn’t realize this whole Canadian thing was going to be so big for many years to come. We were just another band out there trying to make it. Now when we play with Razor and Sacrifice, it’s this big Canadian package to the rest of the world and they eat it up. But back then, no, we didn’t really think of it that way.”

Unveiling the Wicked

And while seminal records like their lauded debut and subsequent followups Violence & Force and Long Live the Loud and Unveiling the Wicked are still seen as present day genre gems, the band is hard at work on their first studio album in 12 years, and first since the departure of founding member John Ricci.

“The reunion happened in 2014 and we went five years with John. And obviously when he left the band we just scrapped any material that we wrote. But there really wasn’t that much material to scrap to tell you the truth. The writing was really slow. But now, of course with Daniel we’re writing new material and working on it and eventually there’s going to be an album. Yeah, we’re really looking forward to it. It’s got to live up to those old albums. And I think it will.”

As for the present, after four-decades-plus of heavy metal dominance, Exciter finally are set to touch down on our shores, aiming to blow the roof off The Rock House in St. John’s in classic fashion. “We’re pumped up for it,” Beehler shared with genuine excitement. “To go to Newfoundland and bring Exciter there, it’s f***ing amazing man. We can’t wait. And yeah, it’s been all these years and we’ve never been there. It’s cool to play places that we’ve never played before. It’s awesome.”

Exciter take to The Rock House in St. John’s on July 23rd with special guests Vertebraeker and Grenadier. Tickets still available at Fred’s Records and the Fogtown Side Shop

Limited ‘Early Bird’ general admission and premium section tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. this Monday, July 25 at ChurchillParkMusicFestival.com.

Early bird general admission tickets are $49.50 plus applicable service fees & tax and early bird premium section tickets are $99.50 plus applicable service fees & tax.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and the show ends at 11 p.m. This event will have a licensed 19+ area and a limited all ages section. There will be an area for lawn chairs if you choose to bring your own.

This concert is in addition to the already announced shows on Saturday, August 13, featuring Matchbox Twenty, Gin Blossoms, Our Lady Peace and Timber and on Sunday, August 14, featuring The ‘Original’ Irish Descendants, Bud Davidge of Simani, Celtic Connection, Kubasonics and Carolina East, as part of the Come Home 2022 celebrations.

About Churchill Park Music Festival

The first annual Churchill Park Music Festival will take place in Churchill Park, located in the heart of St. John’s, Newfoundland over three days, August 12, 13 & 14, 2022. Featuring wide open views, surrounded by mature trees and greenery, the festival location is easily accessible from all parts of the city – a perfect setting for recreation and leisure, social gatherings, and celebrations. The event will bring to Newfoundland a variety of top musical talent and aims to provide a safe, inclusive, and pleasing experience for all attendees.

For more information, visit: ChurchillParkMusicFestival.com.

The 2022 instalment of the biggest party of the summer, the 37th annual George Street Festival, will kick off on Thursday July 28th with Juno winning pop-rockers Marianas Trench alongside Maritime hip hop stars Neon Dreams.

The complete schedule is as follows:

Thursday, July 28 – Marianas Trench and Neon Dreams
Friday, July 29 – The Tea Party and Sam Roberts Band w/ Women of Rock
Saturday, July 30 – Family-friendly matinee and Kitchen Party with The Masterless Men, The Navigators, Celtic Connection, and more!
Sunday, July 31 – Alan Doyle and Fortunate Ones w/ Kellie Loder
Monday, August 1 – Arkells and Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Tuesday, August 2 – Shanneyganock and Signal Hill w/ Rum Ragged
Wednesday, August 3 – Brett Kissel and Meghan Patrick w/ Justin Fancy

Pick up your tickets for the 2022 George Street Festival today!